Saint Francis Preparatory School

Fresh Meadows, New York

COURSE OUTLINE

2005/2006 Academic Year

DEPARTMENT: ScienceFACULTY: Mr. Martin

COURSE # Sci.141 COURSE TITLE: Regents Physics

COURSE TITLE: REGENTS PHYSICS, Science 141

LEVELS TAUGHT:Juniors and seniors

INTRODUCTION: The basic physics course is the newly revised New York State Regents syllabus; it presents the fundamental concepts of classical and modern physics for high school students. This work includes extensive practice in appropriate mathematical methods and mandatory laboratory work that is integral to the course of study. The course provides practice in the use of the scientific method that is needed to succeed in a first-year college science course. Outcomes will include advancement in techniques of problem solving, laboratory skills and development of critical thinking skills.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this course are multi faceted. Most importantly, we intend to foster, in the student, an appreciation of the physical sciences as they pertain to the world about them and to prepare them for continued scientific studies on the college level. Our other goals include:

Improved creative thinking and problem solving abilities
Develop a proficiency in basic laboratory techniques and safety
Introduce the student to methods in which the computer may be integrated into data acquisition and analysis in the laboratory environment
Introduce the student to the collection and dissemination of information via the internet

PROGRAM

CONTENT: The program is designed to cover, but is not limited to, all of the physics topics contained in the New York State Regents Physics syllabus. A detailed description of the Regents syllabus may be accessed at the New York State Board of Education web site. Major topics of study will include Mechanics, Energy, Electricity and Magnetism, Wave Phenomena, and Modern Physics.

METHODOLOGY: Instruction will take place in both the classroom and laboratory environment. Classroom instruction will consist of lecture, demonstrations, individual and group work. Laboratory instruction will consist of hands on group activities. These activities will involve the use of laboratory methods and equipment coupled with computers to demonstrate physical principles and the scientific method. Some activities may also involve Internet research.

MATERIALS

TEXT: PHYSICS, PRINCIPLES AND PROBLEMS- by Zitzewitz and Neff. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Inc. 1999

The textbook will be issued to the student at the beginning of the year. The student is responsible for the condition of the textbook. The textbook is primarily for home reading, assignments and reference.

REVIEW BOOK: BRIEF REVIEW IN PHYSICS, THE PHYSICAL SETTING- 2005 Edition, by Cook. Prentice Hall Inc. The review is to be purchased by the individual student at the school bookstore. The review book is to accompany the student at all classroom and laboratory sessions.

ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS: In addition to the text book the student should also be prepared at all times with:

Pens (blue or black ink only) and pencils (No. 2)
Scientific calculator
Reference tables (The student is required to obtain a personal copy of the reference tables, information on how to do so will be contained in the portfolio guidelines)
A portfolio (specific guidelines on the maintenance of a portfolio will be provided separately)
A folder, provided by the student, to hold all laboratory write ups (will be kept on file by the teacher)
Graph paper will be distributed as needed

GRADING

QUARTERLY GRADING: 50% Examination, 35% Quizzes, 15% portfolio, Laboratory, and Classroom Participation.

Examination: There will be two quarterly examinations each of equal weight. Each exam will constitute 25% of the quarterly grade. The exams will be cumulative and exam dates will be announced within one week (not cycle) prior to the exam date. If, for some unforeseen reason, a student must miss an exam, a makeup exam will be scheduled at the end of the quarter. This makeup exam will be a cumulative exam consisting of all the material studied to the present time of the makeup exam.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be both in class and take home assignments. There will be at least one quiz per cycle. Quizzes will consist of any and all material covered in class, homework and or laboratory exercises to the present time of the quiz. An average of all quiz grades will constitute 35% of the quarterly grade. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. If a student is absent for a quiz, that quiz will be considered to be the one that is dropped. There will be no quiz makeups. Take home quizzes will not be dropped.
Laboratory: The laboratory grade will consist of laboratory presentation (write-ups). The procedure for laboratory write-ups will be discussed during the first laboratory session. All laboratory exercises must be completed in order to pass and receive Regents credit. One excused laboratory session is permitted provided that a valid excused absence has been proven.
Classroom and Laboratory Participation: Classroom participation is self-explanatory. Be present, on time, prepared and ready to ask and answer questions. Laboratory participation requires that students conduct themselves in a professional and safe manner, as will be outlined during the first laboratory session. Failure to do so will result in a loss of points and possible referral to the dean.
Portfolio: Maintain a portfolio, as outlined in a separate guideline. A combination of laboratory, participation, and portfolio will constitute 15% of the student’s grade.

HOMEWORK AND READING ASSIGNMENTS: Homework and reading assignments will be assigned on a regular basis. All homework assignments are to be contained within the portfolio. It is up to each student, as a responsible adult, to see to the completion of his/her homework. Homework problems will be reviewed in class and any questions pertaining to the homework answered.

DEPARTMENTAL FINAL EXAM: At the conclusion of this course, during senior exam week, there will be a comprehensive cumulative departmental exam. This exam is mandatory and will comprise twenty percent of the student’s final grade.

REGENTS EXAMINATION NOTES: It will not be required that the student participates in the regents examination. The decision to do so is entirely up to the student. The student may endeavor to participate in order to receive an advanced Regents diploma, improve their chances at an enrollment at the college of their choice, or purely for the satisfaction of the achievement of having accomplished such a goal. The student’s grade, on the Regents Examination, will in no way affect their final grade for the course.

FINAL GRADE: The final grade will consist of an average of the four quarterly grades and the departmental final exam grade weighted equally.

TIME REQUIREMENTS

CLASS SESSIONS: There will be four 45 minute class sessions, one 60 minute class session and one 90 minute laboratory session in every seven day cycle.

GENERAL INFORMATION

I expect students to ask questions. I am here to educate and can only properly fulfill this obligation with the help of the students. Please feel free to ask any questions, no question is too stupid.
I expect students to maintain the highest academic integrity. This means do your own work. If you have problems I will be more then happy to assist you in whatever way possible. I will, if needed, schedule time outside of the classroom to assist students with difficulties.
Use of electronic devices such as cellular phones and pagers will not be tolerated. Be sure they have been turned off. If such a device becomes evident in the classroom it will be confiscated and turned over to the Dean’s office.
Excessive lateness will not be tolerated and will result in detention and loss of class participation points. If you are late for the opening period of the school day you must present a late slip to be admitted to class. If you are late during any other period during the school day you are to quietly enter and either place your ID card on my desk or hand it to me personally and then proceed to your desk. Do not disturb the class with excuses, you may discuss your tardiness with me at the conclusion of the class and retrieve your ID card.
Disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated. Frequent occurrences will result in loss of class participation points and if needed referral to the dean.

It is important that students submit all required laboratory exercises and that these exercises remain in the laboratory folder provided by the student. The laboratory folders will be kept on file by me and can be examined by the student upon request. At the end of the year it is required that I have on file, complete copies of the students laboratory exercises. If this requirement is not fulfilled the student will not receive Regents credit for the course. I stress this point because even if a student receives a passing grade for the course a loss of Regents credit for the course could impact their admittance to the college of their choice.