Faculty Name / Ted Neill
Term / 2017-18
Meetings / SHS room #318 Period 2 M-F, Lab pd. 3 M,W
Faculty’s Contact Information
Phone / 724-452-6040 ext. 1250Email Address /
Other Information / Tutoring available M-F 6-7:00 AM room #318
General Course Information
Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, & other restrictions / 74% or better in both Algebra 1 or Algebra 1 TE and Geometry or Geometry TECourse Description from Program of Studies / This course is designed for any college-bound student. Requirements are good Algebra and graphing skills. The course will teach problems solving and laboratory skills. These include methods of designing experiments, data collection, data analysis, and reporting of experimental results. Topics covered may include motion, waves, sound, optics, and electricity.
Standards/Anchors/Objectives / 3.1.10, 3.1.12, 3.2.10, 3.2.12, 3.7.10, 3.7.12, 3.8.10, 3.8.12, 3.4.12C, 3.4.12AC
Required Texts & Materials / Text: Physics: Principles and Problems
Computer plus interfacing lab equipment
TI-84 calculator recommended
Video library
Computer Simulation Software
Internet Resources
Smartboard
SAM robot and sensors
Suggested Texts, Readings, & Materials / http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/physics/index2.php
Assignments & Academic Calendar
Weeks1-2 / I. Measurement and Problem – Chapter 1-2A. Mathematics Review
B. Laboratory Skills
Weeks 3-4 / II. Describing motion – Chapter 3
A. Picturing Motion
B. Velocity and Acceleration Graphs
Weeks 5-7 / III. Concurrent and Parallel Forces – Chapter 4-5
A. Vectors
B. Mathematical Model of Motion
Weeks 8-10 / IV. Forces – Chapter 6
A. Forces
B. Using Newton’s Laws
C. Interaction Forces
Weeks 11-13 / V. Forces and Motion in Two Dimensions – Chapter 7
A. Forces in Two Dimensions
B. Projectile Motion
C. Circular Motion
Weeks 14-17 / VI. Conservation of Energy and Momentum – Chapter 9 - 11
A. Work and Energy
B. Conservation of Momentum and Collisions
Week 18 / ****Review ****
Weeks 19 – 24 / VII. Electricity – Chapters 20 - 23
A. Electrostatics
B. Direct Current Circuits
Weeks 25 – 29 / VIII. Waves and Sound
A. Harmonic Motion
B. The Nature of Waves
C. Sound
D. Characteristics of Sound
Weeks 30 - 34 / IX. The Nature of Light
A. Theory of Light
B. Reflection
C. Refraction
D. Diffraction and Polarization
Week 35 / X. Additional topics as time permits
Week 36 / ****Review ****
Course Procedures
Grading (credit) Criteria / Grades will be determined from a total point basis. Extra credit will not be given. Grades will consist of the following:Homework: Homework will be assigned almost daily. These will be graded for completeness and may be graded for accuracy. I may or may not collect it. Late work will not be accepted.
Tests: Chapter and unit tests will be announced and a 5x8 index card may be used for these tests. Tests will not be curved. Quizzes will be given almost every Friday.
Exams: There will be NO mid-term or final in this course. There will however be a two day test on exam dates that count toward your nine week grade. You may use a 5x8 index card for these exams.
Projects: There will be several projects throughout the year. Details of the projects will be discussed at the time the projects are assigned. These are usually done as pairs or individually.
Labs: There will be many labs assignments throughout the year and most are informal labs worth about twenty points. There will be formal labs that will require a formal lab write-up. The papers will be type written reports that will be discussed in more detail at a later date.
Course Expectations / Complete all assignments on time and do the work to the best of your ability! If you follow this simple rule you will find this class to be very enjoyable and rewarding. I like to have fun! Hopefully you will have as much fun as the year progresses.
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: There will be several projects throughout the year. Details of the projects will be discussed at the time the projects are assigned. These are usually done as pairs or individually.
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 X1088
Student Conduct, Discipline, and Behavior Management / Just remember the golden rule------
“You have interfered with my right to teach, and other students’ right to learn”
If you follow this simple step the class will run smoothly and no problems will be encountered that would require discipline. School discipline policy will be followed.
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 / I may be contacted through email at the following address if you have any questions regarding the course:
Prepared by and Date prepared / Ted Neill
August 29, 2017
Please review this syllabus with a parent/guardian. Print out the entire syllabus and put it in your class binder as Item #1. You should both sign and return this page only.
Student Name (print)______Class period______
Student Signature: ______Date: ______
Parent Name (please print)______
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______
Parent Phone: ______
Parent Email: ______
When calling home who should the teacher speak to? ______
Do you have access to a computer at home? Yes No
Do you have internet access at home? Yes No
Do you have access to a printer at home? Yes No