Physics 1408 Sections: H01 (Honors) & 090 (Majors)
Principles of Physics I Course Outline Spring Semester 2025
Instructor: Thomas L. Gibson Office: Sc 27 Office Hours: By appointment. Required Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, with Modern Physics, 10th edition by Serway and Jewett with Enhanced Web Assign (online homework student access kit) and Laboratory Manual for Physics 1408 Principles of Physics I. Information about these materials will be available on Blackboard.
If you need to contact me outside of class, please use my email address listed above. Since I teach more than one course, please always list which course and section you are in.
Unless notified otherwise, the lecture portion of the course will be face to face in SC 112. You will receive information about the lab portion of the course from our Lab Director, Dr. Lamp. Exams and access to the online Homework (WebAssign) as well as the e-Text will be available from our Blackboard course page. Usually you can access these materials for approximately the first two weeks even if you have not yet purchased them. Of course, you will eventually have to purchase these materials.
It is important that you use a recommended browser (see the Blackboard landing page) and that you test your browser to make sure that it is compatible---click the Blackboard Support link on our course page and follow the links to the Browser Compatibility Check. Also, follow the tips for successfully taking Blackboard exams on this page. Failure to do so can result in your losing points on exams. When taking exams, the TTU internet (on campus) is usually the most reliable, so use it instead of one off campus. Using "the internet blew up at my apartment" is not a valid excuse during an exam.
This course satisfies part of the Natural Science core curriculum requirement. The objective of the study of the natural sciences component of a core curriculum is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand the bases for building and testing theories. The natural sciences investigate the phenomena of the physical world.
Course Purpose:
| Learning Outcome | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Distinguish between a scientific theory and speculation. | Embedded Assessments. |
| Understand and Compute the fundamental elements of energy and motion. | Embedded Assessments. |
| Verify the centrality of experiment to the scientific method. | Evaluation of laboratory reports. |
Course Coverage: Time permitting, the course will cover selected material from chapters 1-22 in the text as well as topics covered in lecture. Course Info: Before January 15 or Blackboard after January 15.
- Grading Policy:
- The following average scores will be accumulated during the course of the semester: Homework (HW); Attendance; Exams; and Laboratory (Lab). The course grade will be the weighted average of the following average scores: HW and Attendance at 10% each; Exams at 60%; and the Lab at 20%. Three midterm exams and a comprehensive final exam will be used to determine the Exams average with the lowest exam score being dropped---yes, this could be the final exam. NO MAKEUP EXAMS will be given. Your letter grade will be determined on the following TTU default scale: (less than 60) F; (60 < 70) D; (70 < 80) C; (80 < 90) B; (90-100) A.
- HW: (Online from WebAssign)
- These assignments are accessible from Blackboard under the WebAssign link. It is your responsibility to check due dates and times. It is also your responsibility to check your internet browser's compatibility with the WebAssign system so that your results can be accurately recorded. While you may discuss homework problems with each other, you must not simply give answers to another student or allow them to just copy your solutions.
- Attendance:
- Attendance will be taken during each lecture. To receive full credit you must be on time, remain for the full class period, and participate. If you are ill, please do not come to class, but I will need for you to send an official doctor's note with the date that you were seen as well as a return to class date in order to excuse your attendance. The note must be sent within two days of the absence. If you miss class due to an officially-approved TTU event, I will need an official note from your faculty sponsor or advisor before the event so that I can excuse your absence. Further, research has shown that being prepared for active class participation is critical for understanding the course material. To help facilitate this and to minimize distractions, keep your laptops and cell phones stowed with your cell phone on silent. For a physics class, it is easier to use pencil and paper to write down equations and diagrams as well as take notes. Please also bring a calculator as we will be crunching numbers during class.
- Lab: (Laboratory)
- Labs will be conducted according to the lab schedule and policies that you receive from our lab director.
- Exams (Midterm and Final Exams)
- Midterm Exams: Three exams will be given on Blackboard (under the Exams link) during your regular class period on the approximate dates listed below. You must neither give help to anyone nor receive help from anyone when taking the exams. You must also follow the written instructions and restrictions for each exam.
- Final Exam: A comprehensive two-and-a-half-hour final exam will be given on Blackboard (under the Exams link) during the date and time scheduled for your course (see below). Again, you must neither give nor receive help when taking the final exam. You must also follow the written instructions and restrictions for the final exam.
- Important Dates:
- January 15 = Wednesday---Classes start for the Spring Semester.
- January 20 = Monday---Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
- March 15-23 = Spring Break.
- April 21 = Monday---Day of no classes.
- April 22 = Tuesday---Last day to drop course.
- May 06 = Tuesday---Last day of classes.
- May 09 = Friday---PHYS 1408-H01 Final Exam (Chapters 1-22) (7:30-10:00 am) on Blackboard under the Exams link.
- May 10 = Saturday---PHYS 1408-090 Final Exam (Chapters 1-15) (07:30-10:00 am) on Blackboard under the Exams link.
- Course Goals:
- This course is intended to acquaint students with the basic laws of physics, to develop a better understanding of physical science in general, and help prepare you for other upper-division classes. To this end, the course will emphasize a mix of laboratory, conceptual understanding, and standard "end-of-chapter" homework solving skills.
- Approximate Dates for PHYS 1408-H01 Exams
- Exam 1; Thursday, February 13, 2025.
- Exam 2; Thursday, March 13, 2025.
- Exam 3; Thursday, April 24, 2025.
- Approximate Dates for PHYS 1408-090 Exams
- Exam 1; Friday, February 14, 2025.
- Exam 2; Friday, March 14, 2025.
- Exam 3; Friday, April 25, 2025.
- Be prepared! Study the material in the Learning Modules on Blackboard and in the text before we cover it in class and study your class notes after lecture---remember, the only way to become proficient at anything is to practice, practice, practice! Print off the examples in the Learning Module sections and bring them to class with you. Expect to answer and ask questions over that material.
- Texas Tech guidelines say that you should expect to spend at least 2 hours studying outside of class for every hour of lecture.
- Begin all homework assignments as soon as possible. The assignments take time and thought.
- Once you can work through a problem with your notes, book, study group, etc., write the question down on a blank sheet of paper and then try to rework it entirely on your own a day or so later.
- Never wait until the night before a test to "begin" studying.
- Physics requires a lot of work outside the classroom. Don't get behind.
- Contact your instructor if you are stuck.
- Important Note:
- Since there are many of you and only one of me, if you have questions about the course, please check the Frequently Asked Questions page first.