Towson University
Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences
Spring 2025

Course Description: PHYS 211-212 – General Physics I, II algebra-based course for Arts and Sciences, Biology and Geosciences majors: mechanics, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, and a brief introduction to modern physics.  Three lecture units and one three-unit laboratory period; one three-hour lecture and one three-hour laboratory period. PHYS 211 is the first semester of a two-semester sequence in General Physics.

Mathematics prerequisites: MATH 115 (or good standing in high school algebra (Algebra 2) and Trigonometry, and scientific notation. Functions and equations: linear, quadratic, exponential, and trigonometric.

Attendance: Students learn more in class than can be measured by a few examinations. Therefore, attendance is a crucial factor in evaluation. The very least you can get from the lectures are the material which the instructor emphasizes - it will most likely appear on tests.
You are responsible for attending all lab and lecture sessions for your section, and for checking in with me in order to make up any missed work. If you must miss any sessions due to university related events or religious holidays, please email me to let me know two weeks before you miss class. Attendance throughout the semester is required and no makeup work is permitted for unexcused absences. If a student misses an assignment because of an unexcused absence a grade of zero will be assessed. An excused absence is one which meets the university policies (see below). The student is responsible for all missed work. For every unexcused absence I will take off one point from the final cumulative score.

Towson University Policy on Class Attendance - It is policy of the University to excuse the absences of students for the following reasons:
· illness or injury when the student is unable to attend class;
· religious observance where the nature of the observance prevents the student from attending class;
· participation in University activities at the request of University authorities (e.g., Intercollegiate Athletics, Forensics Team, Dance Company, etc.);
· compelling verifiable circumstances beyond the control of the student.

Students requesting an excused absence must provide documentation to the instructor two weeks prior to the scheduled absence when known in advance, and as soon as possible when not known in advance.

Masking protocols: Temporary COVID-19 Masking Protocols | Towson University

Lecture: For each lecture there will be a reading assignment, which I recommend should be completed before coming to class. Since the lectures will not be a complete and straight presentation of the material in the text, these reading assignments are very important. The lectures will be used to cover the most difficult parts of the reading in more detail or will discuss them from a slightly different point of view.

Lab is mandatory. Lab Manual for PHYS 211 for life science by Schaefer and Oldak. Follow the requirements in the lab manual. Bring to all sessions a calculator. Lab grades are provided by the Lab Instructor on the scale 0% - 100%. The tentative laboratory schedule is shown below.The $10.00 lab fee may be used to purchase materials needed for in class activities and activities. For more information about your lab schedule, requirements and grading system contact your lab instructor.

Materials: Scientific Calculator, flash drive for storing data and class materials, binder or several spiral bound notebooks for keeping track of class notes, homework, lab.

Homework will be assigned for each chapter (see the table below). The problem sets are one of the best ways to learn the material and prepare yourself for the examinations. The more examples and problems that you do, the sooner you will understand the concepts. Before you start working on assigned problems, work on examples. Try to solve the problems without looking at the text. You are encouraged to work with each other on the assignments. Learning problem solving skills are a crucial part of your training. Thus before consulting others make sure you have made a genuine effort to solve problems the problems yourself. You are encouraged to discuss how to solve particular problems with your group. Cooperation on homework is fine; furthermore, if you explain to others how to solve a problem, it means you really understand the physics of the problem.

Questions: Ask questions. Don't worry about looking Dumb! Most of your fellow students are probably having the same difficulties and sometimes are afraid to ask questions. If you want your questions answered, ask me at the lecture or write down any questions you may have and give them to me or send them to me by e-mail (szverev@towson.edu). I will be most happy to answer them.

Honesty Policy: In homework, you are expected to be able to consult with classmates and friends. Needless to say, consultation is not allowed on exams. If there is evidence of cheating, you can expect to receive a zero for that test. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, you may be: (1) given an F for the course, (2) asked to drop the course, (3) be carried through the University procedures for more serious sanctions**.

Tutorial: Academic Advising Center: https://www.towson.edu/academicadvising/. Tutoring Center: https://www.towson.edu/tutoring-learning/.
Useful online math resource sites: Purple Math:  http://www.purplemath.com/, S.O.S. Mathematics: http://www.sosmath.com/index.html.

Office hours: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. by appointment. I can also meet with you online via zoom: https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/97330449734?pwd=VWVSUDhvbWdzNjN0ZEt6TnlwWHZpZz09
or
Meeting ID: 973 3044 9734
Passcode: 27794388

Examinations: there will be three Hour Examinations and a comprehensive (cumulative) Final Examination. These will contain concept and mathematical questions similar to the homework problems. A formula sheet will be provided for each exam. The exams will test your conceptual understanding of physics as well as your problem solving abilities. Note that there will be no make-up examinations. If notification of an unavoidable absence from an examination (note from the Student Health Center or the family doctor, or from the Athletic Department – participation in University sports activity) is given to the instructor prior to the examination, the weights of the remaining examinations will be readjusted.

Final Examination: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 (7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.), Room Room SC 2230 (lecture auditorium).

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
This course is in compliance with Towson University policies for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with Disability Support Services (DSS), 7720 York Road, Suite 232, 410/704-2638 (Voice or TDD). Students who suspect that they have a disability but do not have documentation are encouraged to contact DSS for advice on how to obtain appropriate evaluation. A memo from DSS authorizing your accommodation is needed before any accommodation can be made.

DIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT:
The Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences (PAGS), in accordance with the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics (FCSM) and with the Towson University Strategic Plan, support initiatives that promote diversity among FCSM faculty, staff and students. We are committed to increasing the quality and diversity of our students, faculty and staff while increasing retention and curriculum initiatives.

Criteria for Grading:

Grading Scale:

Reading/Examination Schedule (subject to change)

Homework and Exercises

For homework problem answers click here.

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My lectures and course materials, including, but not limited to power point presentations, tests, outlines, and similar materials, are protected by copyright. I am the exclusive owner of copyright in those materials they create. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own use; however, you may not, nor may you allow others to, reproduce or distribute lecture notes and course materials publicly whether or not a fee is charged without my express written consent. Similarly, you own copyright in your original papers and exam essays. If I am interested in posting your answers or papers on the course web site, I will ask for your written permission.

The Towson University Foundation has created the Student Emergency Fund, which has some funds available to assist students in purchasing hotspots, upgrading home internet, and other necessary technologies.  For more information, see their website.   

**Students are responsible members of the academic community.  You are therefore obligated not to violate the basic standards of integrity.  You are also expected to take an active role in encouraging other members of the community to respect those standards.  Should you have reason to believe that a violation of academic integrity has occurred, you are encouraged to make the suspicion known to a member of the faculty or University administration. 

Cheating means using, attempting to use, and/or disseminating unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids, videos or other devices in any academic exercise. This includes unauthorized communication of information during an exercise or exam.  Some examples include but are not limited to:  Copying from another student’s paper or receiving unauthorized assistance during any graded deliverable; using books, notes or other devices (e.g., calculators, phones, watches, laptops, or other internet enabled devices) when these are not authorized; procuring without authorization tests or examinations before the scheduled exercise (including discussion of the substance of examinations and tests when it is expected these will not be discussed); copying reports, laboratory work, computer programs or files and the like from other students; collaborating on laboratory or computer programs or files and the like with other students; collaborating on laboratory or computer work without authorization and without indication of the nature and extent of the collaboration; sending a substitute to take an examination, using solutions manuals, providing exam and assignment questions to student websites or using such a website to complete an assignment and/or exam (including free or pay websites that maintain textbook and/or instructor solutions).  To clarify, copying or collaborating with other students or using external resources, including other people, on any type of assignments that are expressly designed to be completed individually is cheating.

Complicity in Academic Dishonesty means helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty.  Some examples include but are not limited to: Allowing another to copy from one’s paper during an examination or test; distributing test questions or substantive information about the material to be tested without authorization before the scheduled exercise; collaborating on academic work that is expressly designed to be completed individually; taking an examination or test for another student; signing a false name on an academic exercise; or sharing assignment or exam information before, during, or after the deliverable in written, electronic, video, or verbal form. (Note: Collaboration and sharing information are characteristics of academic communities. These become violations when they involve dishonesty.  Students should seek clarification when in doubt).