General Physics I for Biological Sciences Majors AS.171.103 Fall 2011
Basic info

Description

This course is a calculus-based introduction to physics. Students will learn how to use physical ideas and principles to understand the world around them. Some emphasis will be placed on biological systems. The course will also help students to prepare for the MCAT examinations. The first semester covers classical mechanics and waves.

Pre/co-requisites

Physics Lab I 173.111; Calculus I 110.106 or 110.108.

Times and locations

  • Lecture: MWF, 9-9:50 am, 272 Bloomberg.
  • Sections: T, see ISIS for times and locations.
  • Midterm exams: T Sep. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 22, 8-8:50am in all sections.
  • Final exam: T December 13, 9am-12pm.

Grading system

The final grade will be calculated as a weighted average of the following:
  • homework, 15%,
  • highest midterm score, 20%,
  • second highest midterm score, 20%,
  • lowest midterm score, 0% (yes, that is a zero),
  • final exam, 45%.

Books and online homework

  • Physics for Scientists and Engineers (2nd Edition) by Randall D. Knight, Addison Wesley, 2008, ISBN 9780321513335.  Required. 
  • Mastering Physics Student Access Kit  for the online homework. Required. 
  • Student Workbook by Randall D. Knight, Addison Wesley, 2008, ISBN 9780321513571. Recommended. 
The JHU bookstore has all three items bundled.
The publisher's web site sells all of the above in various combinations and formats (including an e-book). 

Lecturer

Prof. David Kaplan
463 Bloomberg Center
Tel: 410-516-4708
Email: dkaplan@pha.jhu.edu
Office Hours: W 2-4, Th 1-3

Head TA

Matthew Walters
459 Bloomberg Center
Tel: 410-516-8974
Email: mwalters@pha.jhu.edu
Office Hours: TBA

 
Details

Homework

  • There are two homeworks each week. Main homework is due weekly on Tuesday nights, at 11:59 pm.  Homework supplements (shorter homeworks) are due on Thursday nights, at 11:59 pm,  except the final week when the last homework is due Friday night.
  • No credit will be given for late homework.  
  • The three lowest homework scores will not be used to compute the grade, nor will the three lowest homework supplement scores.  
  • Homework is done online at Mastering Physics.
Register online following the instructions in Student Access Kit. 
Course ID: KAPLAN103
 

Exams

Midterms will be given on T 8-8:50am in all sections.
Midterm dates: T Sep. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 22, 8-8:50am.
The final exam will be on T Dec. 13, 9am-12pm.
 
Two best midterm scores are counted toward your final grade.
The lowest midterm score is dropped.
You may thus take just two out of three midterms if you wish.
No makeup exams will be given.  
 
An evening review session will be given before each exam.

Exam rules

  • Required: J-card as an ID.
  • Required: write in pen*.  
  • Allowed: a calculator. 
  • Allowed: a single** 3"x6" index card with notes.
  • Forbidden: other electronic devices.
  • Forbidden: books.

*Exams written in pencil will be graded but may not be regraded.
**Three cards are allowed on the final exam.

Exam regrades

Regrades for midterms must be requested within one week after the exam is returned.
Regrades for the final exam must be requested within 72 hours after the exam. 
Exams must be written in ink to be eligible for regrading.
 
Email the professor to schedule a time to meet. You will be required to solve the problem at the blackboard without notes and without error.
 

Suggestions

Effort must be made to understand the ideas and to apply them to the problems. A conscientious student who does not have a strong background in physics should plan to spend at least 12 hours a week reading the textbook and solving problems. Solving many problems is the best way to build a context for the information you are trying to learn. 

Finding help

Policies

JHU policy

The strength of the university depends on academic and personal integrity. In this course, you must be honest and truthful. Ethical violations include cheating on exams, plagiarism, reuse of assignments, improper use of the Internet and electronic devices, unauthorized collaboration, alteration of graded assignments, forgery and falsification, lying, facilitating academic dishonesty, and unfair competition.
 
Visit the JHU Ethics Board homepage for further information.

Class policy

Collaboration on homework at the level of discussing strategy and approach is OK. 
You are expected to produce your own solutions in homework and exams. 
The copying of solutions from another student or any other source is an ethics violation.

Students with disabilities

Any student with a disability who may need accommodations in this class should forward the lecturer an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services in 385 Garland, (410) 516-4720, studentdisabilityservices@jhu.edu.