PHYSICS 2420
Introductory Mechanics
Spring 2015
Instructors:
Lecture:
Roy Joaquín Montalvo
E-Mail: [email protected]
Office: PSCI 215A
Lecture: Mondays and Wednesdays 10:30 – 11:50 AM
Office Hours: MW 1:00 – 2:00 PM or by appointment.
Website: http://hep.utep.edu
Workshops:
Surendra Bhatta
Shusil Bhusal
William Burman
Irving Martinez
E-Mail: [email protected]
Workshop: R 8:30 AM – 9:20 AM
F 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Office Hours: TR 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
PSCI 217C
E-Mail: [email protected]
Workshop: R 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
T 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM
Office Hours: F 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
PSCI 216
E-Mail: [email protected]
Workshop: T 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
R 9:30 AM – 10:20 AM
Office Hours: T 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
PSCI 126
E-Mail: [email protected]
Workshop: M 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
M 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
Office Hours: M 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
W 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
PSCI 216
Textbook: Young and Freedman, University Physics With Modern Physics 13th Edition
Homework: Homework assignments will be posted regularly and will be completed online. To
do this, each student must sign in to Mastering Physics (http://masteringphysics.com) using the
course ID: SP2015MECHANICS
Exams: There will be at least 3 exams and one comprehensive final exam. All exams are
closed book and closed notes. Physics is not about memorization so I will give you all the
relevant formulas and equations for each exam. A scientific calculator is recommended.
Note: There will be no breaks during exams, if you leave the classroom you must turn in your
exam and will not be allowed back in.
For exams you should expect any of the following types of questions:
-Multiple choice: These might be conceptual questions or problems. Only the correct answer
marked on the correct bubble in the scantron will get you credit. It is recommended that you
always bring a 2nd scantron since partially erased bubbles may be marked as wrong. We will not
review or change scantron grades, it is your responsibility to make sure your scantron is clean
and unwrinkled before you turn it in.
-Open problems: For these, your physical reasoning is the most important part and it will usually
be worth ⅔ of the credit for the given problem while the algebra and other calculations leading
to a correct numerical answer will be ⅓ of the total value. Correct answers with little, incorrect,
or no physical justification will be given no credit.
Grading Policy: Your grade will be divided in two major categories: 50% for work related
activities, and 50% for exams. The breakdown will be as follows:
Exams:
20% Final Exam
30% Term Exams
Work
15% Workshop
15% Laboratory *
20% Homework
Final Letter Grades**:
A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >=60%
F < 60%
*If you do not pass (that means a score of at least 70%) the Lab portion of the class you will
receive an F for the entire course regardless of your exam, homework and workshop grades.
**There has to be a cutoff between grades and there is always going to be someone near this
cutoff. That is why these cutoffs are announced from the beginning, they will not change and
they not negotiable.
Tentative Schedule of Topics:
Units and Dimensions
Vectors
Kinematics (1, 2 and 3D)
Galilean Relativity
Newton’s Laws
Dynamics of Circular Motion
Work and Energy
Conservation of Energy
Linear Momentum
Impulse and Collisions
Dynamics of Rotation
Angular Momentum
Torque and Gyroscopes
Classroom Policies



Lecture behavior - Since you are all university students and adults it is rare to have an
issue of disrespectful behavior (e.g. noisy classrooms, cellphones or other distrubances).
If you need to have a conversation with a classmate, answer your phone or do anything
that might disturb your classmates you should leave the classroom before you do so. I do
not expect disrespectful behavior to happen but if it does I reserve the right to drop the
student(s) in question from the class at any point in the semester.
Punctuality – coming to class on time – is expected. This is part of the professional
behavior you will need to demonstrate if you wish to be successful in your field. If you are
late, wait until the end of class to ask a classmate what you missed.
Missed classes – if you are sick, have transportation troubles, or a family emergency,
make use of the course website and your classmates to find out what you missed. You
are responsible for what you have missed.
Missed Exam
Make up (or excused) exams will only be considered if you have a signed letter from
your medical doctor or other appropriate authority. These letters must be verifiable. Contact
information must be provided and when the appropriate individual is contacted, they will need
to be able to corroborate the absence. If the letter cannot be verified, the case will be turned
over to the Dean of Students as being suspected of Academic Dishonesty.
Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability (physical or psychological) and require reasonable
accommodations to enable you to participate in this course (such as note takers, readers, or
extended time on exams and assignments) please contact your lecture instructor as soon as
possible and provide the appropriate documentation from Disabled Student Services (747-5148
or [email protected]). Without this documentation, no accommodations will be made. Please
take care of this before the first exam.
UTEP Policies on Academic Dishonesty
If an instructor suspects a student of academic dishonesty, he/she is to collect evidence
that he/she believes indicates this (e.g. exams, student work, etc). This evidence is then turned
over to the Assistant Dean of Students (ADS). The student will receive an incomplete on
whatever piece of work is under consideration. No other actions will be taken by the instructor
until the case is closed: no discussion, no accusation, and no different treatment. The student
is encouraged to continue participating in the class. The ADS will consider the evidence
provided her and then contact the accused student (and possibly peers) and investigate the
allegations. The ADS will then make a decision as to whether cheating occurred and determine
what the consequences will be. The instructor will be consulted by the ADS as to whether the
results of the investigation are acceptable to him/her. If acceptable, the instructor will simply
carry out the consequences sent to both the student in question and the instructor in a formal
letter from the Dean of Students. While the seriousness of the identified dishonest actions
determines the nature of the consequences, possible consequences include: a counted “zero”
on the piece of work, a letter grade reduction, or being placed on academic probation.
Students have the right to appeal a decision and participate in a formal public hearing.
Statement on Academic Integrity
On exam dates exam rules apply from the moment the proctor starts distributing the
exam papers (whether you are the first one or the last one to receive one) and they are in
effect until you exit the classroom.
University students are expected to know how to behave during an exam. These are some of
the rules you already know (it is NOT a comprehensive list):
- You should only use materials that are explicitly allowed by the instructor. If in doubt,
ask! To be on the safe side make sure all backpacks are closed and cellphones are
turned off.
- Any form of communication whether is verbal, signed or gestured is unacceptable
during an exam regardless of its content or meaning.
- No matter how short the interval, showing your work or looking at someone else’s work
is unacceptable. It does not matter if you have different versions and/or are working on
a different problem.
On quizzes, exam rules apply unless indicated otherwise (your instructor might give you a
group or open notes quiz). To avoid a misunderstanding you should always make sure you
understand the rules before you start.
For homework assignments you are encouraged to make use of study groups, office hours,
tutors, google, youtube, or anything else that can help you understand the material. It is
expected that you will work every problem on your own and make sure you are learning
and understanding the material and not simply getting the homework out of the way.
Academic Integrity Pledge
As a student enrolled in this class, I affirm the principle of academic integrity and
commit to upholding integrity by completing all academic assignments (including but not
limited to workshop quizzes, homework, and exams) in the manner expected, informing the
instructor of suspected instances of academic misconduct by my peers, and fully engaging in
the class and its related assignments for the purpose of learning.
Full Name: ______________________
Signature:_______________________ Date:______________
(Print a copy of this page, clearly print your full name, sign it and date it, then turn it in to your
workshop instructor at the beginning of the first workshop. Students that do not sign and turn
in this pledge will be dropped from the class.)