Department of Natural Sciences

Course Syllabus
Course: P110 A – Physical Science
Term: Spring 2018 Location: B01 Fisher Hall
Instructor: Dr. Hai Nguyen
Office: B08 Fisher Hall E-mail: hnguyen@tnwesleyan.edu Phone: (423) 746-5306
Class Time: Lecture MWF 11:00 – 11:50 AM
Office Hours: MWF 9:30 – 10:30 AM, TH 12:30 – 2:00 PM

A. Course Description
A survey course of physical sciences designed to provide students a conceptual understanding of the
fundamental concepts of physics, chemistry, astronomy and geology, as well as how these concepts are
applied to our life. The topics discussed in the course include: Newtonian mechanics, heat, electricity
and magnetism, optics, periodic table, atomic nucleus and radioactivity, chemical bonds and reactions,
the solar system, stars and the universe, earth’s atmosphere and hydrosphere, rocks and minerals, plate
tectonics. Three hours of lecture per week.

B Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:
 Describe scientific concepts and logic
 Define terms used in physics, chemistry, astronomy and geology
 Identify natural phenomena in the physical sciences
 State physical sciences theories and relate them to natural phenomena
 Relate issues such as climate and energy

C. Program Learning Outcomes and Education Matrices

o Identify the basic concepts and rules that govern the physical world and their relation to human
life.
o Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method.
o Think critically and develop a basis for effective judgment.

D. Text
The required text for this course is Conceptual Physical Science (6th edition) by Hewitt, Suchocki,
Hewitt (ISBN-10: 0-13-406049-0). Students are also required to sign up for Mastering Physics account
for homework and other assignments. Once you have an account, sign in and enroll in the course
“Spring 2018  Physical Science P110” using the access code TWUS18P110.

E. Additional Readings or Other Learning Resources: None are required

F. Assignments and Grading Policy

 MasteringPhysics Assignments: Homework and other assignments will be assigned on

MasteringPhysics after each chapter. Deadline for each assignment can be found in the course
calendar on the website. All Mastering physics assignments account for 30% of the course
grade.
 Exams: There will be four exams during the semester, each at the end of each section (Physics,
Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy). There is no comprehensive final exam. Each exam accounts
for 15% of the course grade.
 In-class Quizzes: There will be a short quiz after each chapter to test your knowledge of the
chapter. The best 10 quizzes will account for 10% of the course grade.
Below is a summary of assignments and grading policy

Assignments Grades
MasteringPhysics Assignments 30%
Exams (4) 15% (x4)
In-class Quizzes 10%

G. Course Outline

Below is a tentative schedule for the course. This schedule is subject to change.

Mon 01/08 The nature of science. The scientific method

Week 1 Wed 01/10 Ch.1  Patterns of motion and equilibrium
Fri 01/12 Ch.2  Newton’s laws of motion
Mon 01/15 Martin Luther King Day
Week 2 Wed 01/17 Ch.3  Momentum and energy
Fri 01/19 Ch.4  Gravity, projectiles and satellites
Mon 01/22 Ch.5  Fluid mechanics
Week 3 Wed 01/24 Ch.6  Thermal energy and thermodynamics
Fri 01/26 Ch.7  Heat transfer and change of phase
Mon 01/29 Ch.8  Static and current electricity
Week 4 Wed 01/31 Ch.9  Magnetism and electromagnetic induction
Fri 02/02 Ch.10  Waves and sound
Mon 02/05 Ch.11  Light
Week 5 Wed 02/07 Physics review
Fri 02/09 Exam 1
Mon 02/12 Ch.12  Atoms and the periodic table
Week 6 Wed 02/14 Ch.13  The atomic nucleus and radioactivity
Fri 02/16 Ch.14  Elements of chemistry
Mon 02/19 Ch.15  How atoms bond and molecules attract
Week 7 Wed 02/21 Ch.16  Mixtures
Fri 02/23 Ch.17  How chemicals react
Mon 02/26 Ch.18  Two classes of chemical reactions
Week 8 Wed 02/28 Ch.19  Organic compounds
Fri 03/02 Chemistry review
 Mon 03/05
Wed 03/07
SPRING BREAK
Thu 03/08
Fri 03/09
Mon 03/12 Exam 2
Week 9 Wed 03/14 Ch.20  Rock and minerals
Fri 03/16 Ch.21  Plate tectonics and earth’s interior
Mon 03/19 Ch.22  Shaping earth’s surface
Week 10 Wed 03/21 Ch.23  Geologic time–reading the rock record
Fri 03/23 Ch.24  The oceans, atmosphere and climate effects
Mon 03/26 Ch.25  Driving forces of weather
Week 11 Wed 03/28 Geology review
Fri 03/30
EASTER BREAK
Mon 04/02
Week 12 Wed 04/04 Exam 3
Fri 04/06 Ch.26  The solar system
Mon 04/09 Ch.26  The solar system (continued)
Week 13 Wed 04/11 Ch.27  Stars and galaxies
Fri 04/13 Ch.27  Stars and galaxies (continued)
Mon 04/16 Ch.28  The structure of space and time
Week 14 Wed 04/18 Ch.28  The structure of space and time (continued)
Fri 04/20 Astronomy review
Week 15 Mon 04/23 Exam 4

H. Course Policies
1. Letter grades are based on the following scale:
A  90.0% C+ 73.0% - 76.9% D+ 63.0% - 66.9%
A– 87.0% - 89.9% C 70.0% - 72.9% D 60.0% - 62.9%
B+ 83.0% - 86.9% C– 67.0% - 69.9% D– 55.0% - 59.9%
B 80.0% - 82.9% F < 55.0%
B– 77.0% - 79.9%
All assignment grades will initially be reported to the student through Sakai, but the official
grades for the course are maintained on the instructor’s computer. If a student feels that there
is an error in their individual grades, the student has one week after the grade has been posted
to discuss this with the instructor; after that time the grade will not be changed.

2. Attendance and Make Up Policy

Students are required to attend ALL class meetings, including the laboratory and please arrive
on time. 1.0% of course grade will be taken off for each unexcused absence in any lecture.
Absences due to medical and/or family emergencies, college-related academic or athletic
activities, and military service obligations will constitute legitimate reasons for missing class
or exams. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor of these events with a
written excuse or, in the case of an academic or sporting event, an e-mail from the instructor
or coach. It is also the student’s responsibility to get notes for the missed class. Exams
missed for one of the above reasons must be taken within one week of returning to class; the
lecture exams may be entirely essay and/or oral exams at the discretion of the instructor.
 3. Lab Safety
No eating or drinking in the laboratory, which includes applying cosmetics or lip balms. One
point will deducted from a student’s lab grade for possession of food or drinks in the
laboratory room.
Follow the instructor’s instruction on using lab equipment and work collaboratively within
your group on the tasks.

4. Students’ Responsibilities
To be successful in this course, students must take an active role in their learning. This must
go beyond merely studying for exams and quizzes. If material is presented in lecture or
laboratory that the student has difficulty understanding, it is the student’s responsibility to let
the instructor know of this difficulty. The instructor will take the time necessary to explain or
discuss the material with the student in an effort to make it understandable for the student.
The instructor also asks questions of the class during lectures and laboratories. Students must
make the effort to answer these questions. This feedback is used by the instructor to gage the
level of students’ comprehension, so the instructor may present information in a different way
to aid in the students’ knowledge. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities on the students’ part
can result in a reduction in the students’ grade for the course.

5. Cellular Telephone: Cellular telephones should be turned off during all class and lab meetings.
Cell phones should NOT be used as calculator in any case. If a student’s cellular telephone
rings during class, if a student attempts to make a telephone call during class, or if a student is
found text-messaging during class, 10% will be deducted from the student’s highest exam
grade. Students will be asked to turn off their cellular telephones during exams. Failure to do
so will be considered an infraction of the Honor Code and will result in the student receiving a
grade of 0% (zero) for that exam.

6. Lost or Stolen Items: Personal items that are lost or stolen from the classroom are the sole
responsibility of the student. Neither the instructor, the Department of Natural Sciences, nor
Tennessee Wesleyan University holds any responsibility for such items.

7. Travel Plans: Due to the nature of the academic schedule, do not make any plans to travel for
breaks or at the end of the term that will interfere with the exam schedule for this course,
including and especially the final exam. In such an event the student will be assigned an
incomplete for the course. The student will have to make arrangements with the instructor to
complete the course on returning from the break. College policy states that the course
requirements must be completed by midterm of the next term that the student is enrolled or
the course grade will convert to an F.

I. Honor Code Policy

Students enrolled in this course are expected to adhere to the letter and spirit of the Tennessee
Wesleyan College Honor Code and will be subject disciplinary action for documented instances of
academic dishonesty, including plagiarism. A student who violates the Honor Code on an assignment
will receive a 0% (zero) for that assignment and a failing grade (F) for the course if the student
commits a second offense. Students found guilty of plagiarism also will be required to complete an
online tutorial and submit a certificate of completion per the disciplinary process for Honor Code
violations published in the College Catalog and student handbooks. All infractions will be reported to
the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
J. Disability Statement
Any student who feels he/she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a documented
disability should contact the Office of Disability Services to discuss specific needs. Please contact Dr.
Patsy Ging, co-director at 746-5237 or email pging@twcnet.edu; or Mr. John Gaston, co-director at
746-5275 or email jgaston@twcnet.edu, It is the students’ responsibility to make initial contact with
one of the coordinators. Their offices are located in Sherman Hall.