-COLLEGE PREP PHYSICS-

COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Mr. Christian R. Mills, B.S. Weber State University, Mathematics & Physics Education
Office: Room 126, Evanston High School, P.O. Box 6002, Evaston WY 82930
Phone: (307)789-0971 x1126 or Fax: (307)789-7447
Email: chmills@uinta1.k12.wy.us
Office Hours: M-F 7:15-8:05, 3:05-4:30
Website: http://www.teachanddiscover.net/education/schools/phsx.html
OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a cumulative exploration of physics, from its earliest discoveries to its latest theories. The semester course will cover the development of calculus, astronomy, classical mechanics, Newton's Laws, conservation laws, rotational mechanics, gravitation, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, and electromagnetic theory. It is an essential course for any student considering a future career in science, mathematics, engineering, physics, or technology. It also provides an important knowledge base for anyone in this technological world.
MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE:
This course is designed to help students fulfill graduation requirements as well as to prepare for and be successful on state standardized PAWS tests, as well as the national standardized SAT test and the ACT test.
MAJOR ASSSIGNMENTS:

RESEARCH PAPERS:
Students will submit four (4) research papers on the topics of: 1) What is Science? Will science eventually explain everything? 2) Who am I? Report on a Physicist. 3) Careers in Physics 4) The theory of everything.

HOMEWORK:
Students will be assigned homework from the book (practice problems). The students will also be asked to perform exploratory exercises by reading journal articles from prominent magazines, to elaborate on their findings, and to develop experiments that will help them to discover more information on the topics.

LABORATORY PROJECTS:
Students will be given opportunities to participate in hands-on activities to enhance their learning. These projects will be graded based on performance and how the students followed the scientific method.

MIDTERM & FINAL EXAM:
Since this is a class from which you may earn science credit, there will be a midterm and a comprehensive final exam. These exams will require the class to work problems from the online multiple choice test about real-science topics and problems. There will also be a few short-answer questions asking the students to draw conclusions from a number of real-world situations. Keep in mind that the object of the class is to draw conclusions about the scientific method.
GRADING:
Grading will be done in the following manner:

  • Research Papers (4): 100 pts.
  • Homework Packets (4): 50 pts. each
  • Laboratory Exercises (4): 50 pts. each
  • Midterm Exams (4): 100 pts.
  • Final Exam: 100 pts.
  • Total: 1300 pts.
The students will be given a percentage gradebased on points earned divided by points total, and the students will also receive a performance and proficiency grade on assignments wich meet Wyoming State Science/Math Standards.
PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism is defined as "presenting as one's own work the work of another person -- words, ideas, data, evidence, thoughts, information, organizing principles, or style of presentation -- without proper attribution." While we will talk about the dangers of plagiarism in class, it is your responsibility to be aware of what is and what is not plagiarism, whether intentional or not. Your instructor has a variety of tools at his disposal for testing written work for plagiarism, ample experience at detecting it, and a low tolerance for it. If you have questions about whether you are adequately citing or attributing work, please ask your mentor or instructor.
OTHER INFORMATION: