Subject matter: This is the first semester of an introductory Physics sequence for science and engineering majors and others who need algebra-based physics. This section covers fundamental concepts of classical mechanics: one and two dimensions kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, rotations, work and energy, and momentum. It also covers fluids, elasticity, oscillations, and waves.

Objectives: There are two closely related learning objectives for this course. The first is for every student to acquire the ability to solve physics problems on the level of the homework problems and examples from the textbook. The second is for the student to come to an understanding of the concepts of physics to the level of being able to analyze novel problems on a level of the concept tests presented in class.

Recitation Sections accompany this lecture to help you with the conceptual understanding of subjects taught, and complement the lecture. The attendance and your active participation are highly desirable. 10% of your final grade for PHYS 1031 is based on the recitation section performance.

Attendance is required. Roll will be taken at each class.

Class participation: An important part of this class will be the concept tests presented in class as a challenge to the thinking and understanding of the student. Students are expected to not only attend class, but to participate actively in the discussion of the concept with their classmates and with the instructor. Responses will be recorded using an interactive classroom response system ("clicker"). These will be supplied by the department, and will have to be returned at the end of the semester. The total of the quizzes grades will contribute 10% to the overall grade. In addition, various other activities may be done in the class to facilitate student learning. Each student is expected to be an active participant in the classroom activities.

Homework assignments and grading will be done through the WebAssign program. Every student is required to purchase a Student Access card online or from the bookstore (approximately $10.00). To log on you need: username (use your UNO username), your institution (type uno - small letters), and a password (use your student identification number - numerals only). You may change this password after you log on. You can use WebAssign for the first week or two of the semester before paying the $10.00 registration fee. A student guide explaining how WebAssian works is available online and as a course document on Blackboard. Assignments and due dates are available online at http://www.WebAssign.net/student. These problem assignments constitute the primary means of meeting the problem-solving goal of the course. Group work is strongly encouraged, as this has been found to be an effective way to learn.

Exams: There will be one test every two chapters (4 - 5 tests) plus two exams. The tests will consist of a mix of concept questions and problems, and is in the format of multiple choices. The concept questions will be similar to the concept questions done in class. The problems will be similar to the assigned homework problems and examples given in the text. Each test is designed for 30 minutes. There is one Mid-semester examination (March 14, 2005) that covers chapters 1-6. The final is scheduled for MONDAY, May 9, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM in the regular classroom and covers chapters 7-12. If you know in advance you will miss a test or exam you should let me know as soon as possible.

Final grade: The final grade in the course will be based on a weighted numerical score tentatively composed of:

• 30 minute tests:             20 %
• Mid-semester exam:     20 %
• Final exams:                 20%
• Graded homework:     20% (from WebAssign)
• Recitation section:       10%
• Quizzes:                     10% (in class)

Blackboard: UNO's web-based course information system will be used in this course to make course information and announcements available to you. You can access it from UNO's home page, www.uno.edu.

E-mail: Feel free to contact me by e-mail to ask for any assistance you need when working problems. Make sure you email me from your UNO account since all the other emails are discarded automatically. If you do use regular email, be sure to mention your name, course number, the chapter, and the problem number. Also check your UNO e-mail account since that is the means I will use to communicate with you.

Tutoring: UNO's Learning Resource Center provides physics tutoring during the fall semesters. Hours will be posted or you can contact the LRC at 280-7054 or http://lrc.uno-edu.

Accommodations for Special Needs Students: The University of New Orleans (UNO) is committed to providing for the needs of enrolled or admitted students who have disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). If you have a disability please contact the Office of Disability Services, University Center, Room 206 or call 280-6222 to make your needs known.

Academic Honesty Policy: Academic integrity is fundamental to the process of learning and evaluating academic performance. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following: cheating, plagiarism, tampering with academic records and examinations, falsifying identity and being an accessory to acts of academic dishonesty. Please read the UNO Judicial Code in the UNO Student Policy Manual that c can be obtained from the UNO Student Life Office, UC 260, 280-6222, or online by visiting the UNO home pace (Student Life Directory, The UNO Student Policy Manual)

Using WebAssign This class will do homework assignments through the WebAssign system. The WebAssign system uses the same problems as are in the textbook. The primary advantage to this system is that you get immediate feedback on your answers. This tells you instantly if you are doing the problem correctly, and gives you a chance for additional work more on the problems you get wrong. It also enables you to get a perfect score on homework, since many resubmissions are possible. The disadvantages of the system are that there is no partial credit and it is not possible to correct your approach to the problem or to grade diagrams. Please review the student guide at http://www.webassign.net/info/guide/index.htm for more detailed information on using the system. Student login is at http://www.webassign.net/login.html. You are required to purchase a WebAssign student access code available on-line with a credit card or from the cashier at the UNO Bookstore for about $9.00.
Important points:

• Your user id for WebAssign should be the same as your UNO user id. If you don't know it, get it immediately from the TOPS system or the Help Desk in the computer center.
• Use UNO for institution.
• Change your password! Initially it is set to your student number. Change it immediately!
• Change your email address to whatever you use the most.
• The second and subsequent times you look at an assignment, use the "Review Last Submission" button to preserve your previously submitted answers.
• Tolerance on numerical answers is only 1%, so you need three significant figures in your answer. Recommend that you keep four or five significant figures in the intermediate stages of the problem and round off to three at the end.
• Pay attention to the section of the guide on answering numerical questions. The computer is particular about formatting numbers. Exponentials must be in the form 1.563e-2 with no spaces.
• Don't get sloppy! Remember that the object is to learn how to work the problem, not just to get the right answer.
• Talk to me and/or your TA for the recitation section! I am available during office hours and any other time you catch me for help on problem solving.