Faculty Name / Mark Uhrinek
Term / 2015-16
Meetings / 7 periods per week; Room 320
Faculty’s Contact Information
Phone / 724-452-6040Email Address /
Other Information / B.S./ M.Ed. Clarion University of Pa; 26 years of teaching service.
General Course Information
Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, & other restrictions / Pre-Calc/Trig or CalculusCourse Description from Program of Studies / As an experimental science, this course is designed to help the student develop an understanding of matter and energy and their interrelationship. The goal of physics is to use the results of experiments to formulate and validate the natural laws of the universe. Usually, the results are expressed in the language of mathematics, which can then be used to predict other phenomena. The course will emphasize hands-on laboratory work, good mathematical and graphing calculator skills. The topics studied in this course will include the motion of objects, waves, light, electricity and atoms. The tools used in this course include computers with interfacing hardware, computer simulators, lasers, optical equipment and electromagnetic waves.
Standards/Anchors/Objectives / Prepare students for 1st year college physics/engineering.
Required Texts & Materials / Physics for Advance High School Student; Giancoli © 2002
Suggested Texts, Readings, & Materials / A graphing calculator will be necessary.
Assignments & Academic Calendar
Semester 1
Week Chapter Lab for the Week
0 1 Error Analysis
1 2 Pi Lab
2 2 Graph Matching/ Constant Velocity
3 2 Constant Acceleration /Gravitational. Acceleration
TEST
4 3 Vector Addition
5 3 Displacement/Velocity Vectors
6 3 Projectile Motion/Relative Motion
TEST
7 4 Newtons Laws
8 4 Acceleration due to Net Force
9 4 Friction/ Inclines
TEST
10 5 Circular Motion
11 5 Gravitiation
TEST
12 6 Work/Kinetic Energy
13 6 Potential Energy
14 7 Momentum
15 13 Collisions
TEST
16 14 Torque
17 23
MIDTERMS
Semester 2
Week Chapter Lab for the Week
0 11 Oscillations Simple pendulum
1 11 Mechanical Waves;
2 11 Standing waves
3. 12 Speed of sound
4. 12 Doppler Effect
TEST
5. 16 Electric Charge/Electric Field
6. 18 Batteries/Resistors
7. 18/17 Batteries/Resistors/Capacitors
8. 19 DC Circuits
9. 19 DC Circuits
TEST
10. 22 Electromagnetic Waves
11. 23 Geometric Optics- Reflection; Mirrors (TEST)
12. 23 Geometric Optics- Refraction
13. 23 Geometric Optics- Refraction; Lenses
14. 24 The Nature of Light
TEST
15. Review
16. Finals Week
17. Physics Project
Course Procedures
Grading (credit) Criteria / The following materials MUST be brought to class each day. Five (5) points will be deducted if the student is unprepared for class by not having the necessary materials.Textbook Notebook (3 ring binder preferred)
Pen/Pencil Lab Notebook (pages sewn in)
Calculator (TI Graphing or equivalent)
1. Keep up with the work on the assignment sheets.
2. SHOW WORK, UNITS AND EQUATIONS FOR FULL CREDIT!
3. Keep notes organized and up to date.
4. Study as you go; Not the night before the test.
5. Bring materials to class.
6. After an absence: Get notes from classmate, then see instructor.
7. If necessary, ASK FOR HELP!!
8. OFFER HELP!!
9. Neatness counts.
10. PHYSICS IS FUN!!
CHAPTER TESTS: 100 points each (per nine weeks)
FORMAL LAB REPORT: 40 points each (2-3 per nine weeks)
WEEKLY INCLASS QUIZES: 40 points each (Usually Friday)
ONLINE QUIZES: variable points (2-3 per nine weeks)
INCLASS PROBLEM SET variable points (2-3 per nine weeks)
HOMEWORK: 8-10 per nine weeks, not graded)
Each lab group will be responsible for formal lab write-ups. These formal labs will be done on computer as always. Some class time will be given to work on these write-ups. Follow the usual guidelines from last year for these labs. In addition, a lab notebook MUST be kept complete with information on ALL labs done. Pre-lab notes, lab observations, raw data, and a brief conclusion for formal or informal labs should be included in the lab notebook.
Two tests will also be given per nine weeks. They are used as a students instrument in illustrating their understanding of the fundamental concepts of physics. All work, units, and equations must be shown on the tests to receive full credit.
A=90+ B=80+ C=70+ D=60+
Course Expectations / This physics course is designed for the college bound student planning to major in ANY scientific field. The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to the qualitative and quantitative study of matter and energy and their inter-relationship. While doing this, the student will become familiar with the tools of science which include measuring devices, computers and computer software with computer interfacing hardware, lasers, optical equipment, and electrical devices.
Late Work
Make-up Exams
Incomplete Grades / When students are legally absent from classes, it is his/her responsibility to arrange with his/her teachers to make up work missed in each class. The amount of time given to make up this work depends on the amount of time that the student was absent and the circumstances surrounding the absence. For instance, if the student is legally absent for two school days, the student shall receive two school days to make up the work, if necessary. If this work is not completed within the given time period, a student may receive an “incomplete” grade. At the end of the grading period, or at the interim report, the “incomplete” grade is changed to a failing grade for work that has not been completed. Students will not receive credit for any class work that takes place during unexcused class absences. Students are required to make up any missed assignments. If a student is missing due to a pre approved vacation/field trip they must follow district policy.
Special Assignments / Projects will be assigned during the course of the year. Some class time may be given to work on these projects. These projects can and will affect your grade. Please take them seriously.
Class Attendance / As per Seneca Valley School District Policy #204, a student shall not be granted credit for any semester course if absences from that course total more than ten(10) periods per semester or for any full year courses that total more than twenty (20) periods for the year. Class period absences may include but not be limited to illness, truancy, vacations, parent sponsored educational experiences, college visitations, service related tests or physicals, and doctor appointments.
In addition, student(s) will not receive credit towards graduation for any class(es)from which the student(s) is illegally absent (confirmed truancy or class cut) more than three times during a semester class or more than 6 times during a full year course. The lack of sufficient credits in any particular school year could result in a student being denied promotion to the next grade level/building and/or graduation. If a student loses credit, he/she will remain in the class and the grade earned will impact the students GPA.
Field Trip Policies
Off-Campus Instruction & Course Activities / The Seneca Valley School District recognizes the value and encourages the opportunities for students to participate in pre-planned trips and educational experiences during the regular school year. Pre-approval forms are available from the building principal, to be completed by the school-approved adult supervisor of the trip.
If a proposed trip has been approved by the principal, written permission from a parent or guardian must be obtained. This permission must indicate understanding of the date, time, cost (if applicable), method of travel, and purpose of this trip. Pupil participants are subject to the supervision of the school-approved adults, who may require a dress code for the occasion. At all times the school code of conduct will be enforced.
Each month throughout the school year a list of those students who have been absent or tardy 15% of the days is generated. The principal or designee will determine individual student participation on the basis of prior attendance records, previous requests, frequency of such requests, academic progress to date, and the educational value of the requested experience.
Technical Support / If you experience any problems with your account you may send an email to: or call the SHS Technology Facilitator at 724-452-6040 X455
Student Conduct, Discipline, and Behavior Management / Classroom Rules
Be punctual.
Bring necessary materials.
Listen.
Offer help.
Do your best.
Academic Dishonesty / Plagiarism is defined as taking or imitating the ideas, thoughts or language of another to represent them as one’s original work. It is imperative that all work submitted by a student be representative of his/her own ideas, thoughts and especially language capability. Therefore, plagiarism is strictly prohibited in all work pertaining to school. A grade of “F” or zero will be awarded for any submitted work which is found to be the work of another (student, author, encyclopedia, internet, etc.) and subsequent offenses will be dealt with accordingly.
If the ideas, thoughts or language from another source must be used in the work being done, it is the student’s responsibility to footnote or annotate the information appropriately. Plagiarism software will be used in various classes.
Technology Usage / There are computer labs in the building for student use. Students whose teachers use the lab in their curriculum use courseware specifically designed for that curriculum during scheduled class times. Students are also permitted to use the labs for class or research during study halls as space is available. In addition, there are computers in the library for research purposes plus a workstation in every classroom for teacher and/or student use. The labs are monitored at all times.
All enrolled students have an account on the networked system for file storage and software access. All student accounts are password protected. These passwords are to be kept confidential to protect unauthorized use.
The labs are a privilege provided for the students to enhance the academic curriculum. Games that are not specifically used in the curriculum are not allowed on the system. Individual files are not considered to be personal property. These files may be accessed at any time by teachers, administrators or the system manager. Students are not permitted access to other students’ files. Tampering with files, copying of copyrighted software, downloading or installing games, password tampering, accessing unauthorized directories or removing equipment or software will be considered theft. Tampering with any hardware or equipment or violating policies and/or guidelines governing the use of networks, Internet or software programs are also considered offenses and will be dealt with Per Seneca Valley policy #218. Violators may also be prosecuted under applicable local, state or federal civil or criminal law. Students must show their ID card to gain access to the computer lab.
Email Use
Prepared by and Date prepared / Revised 8/27/2013
Faculty members must submit copies of the syllabus for each course to the department chairperson. Departments will keep a copy of each syllabus. The department will submit copies of all course syllabi to the Administration upon request as well as post them on the share drive.