Timothy D. Usher, Ph.D.
Office: PS-115
Telephone: 880-5410
E-mail: tusher@wiley.csusb.edu
Web Site:http://physics.csusb.edu/~tusher/
Office Hours: Wednesday 9am-noon, 8pm - 9 pm, and by appointment.
Main Physics Office: PS-119, Telephone: 880-5397
Laboratory manuals will be supplied at your first lab session.
The cost of the manual is covered by your lab fee.
Recommended Book: Physics for Every Kid by Janice Van
Cleave
Other available materials: Books: The following three books,
as well as a wealth of other materials, are available through the American
Association of Physics Teachers (301) 209-3300; String and Sticky Tape
Experiments by R.D. Edge, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics
by G. D. Freier and F.J. Anderson and A Potpourri of Physics Teaching
Ideas by Donna A. Berry. Journals: The Physics Teacher and American
Journal of Physics. The CSUSB library has both of these journals. Other:
Tops Learning Systems (commercial) Fax: (503) 266-5200
Videos: Mechanical Universe (AV center in basement of library)
Computer software and web access: PS 104. As a CSUSB student,
you are entitled to a computer account with e-mail address as well as other
similar benefit. Check in the Awedge@
wing of the library.
"Information Superhighway": The computers in PS 104 provide
easy access to the "information superhighway" by simply clicking on the
Mosaic or Netscape icon. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of
this opportunity. There are a lot of resources available out there such
as; access to, NASA, Argon National Labs, Lawrence Berkeley, Jet Propulsion
Lab, San Francisco Exploritorium, etc. Many of the national labs have partnership
programs specifically targeted towards elementary and middle schools. They
are very eager to have teachers participate in these programs.
Library Reserved Reading: Most of the materials listed as "Other
available materials, and more, are on reserved reading.
Prerequisite: One college level course in chemistry or
earth science.
Corequisite: Physics 304 Laboratory
Note: An F in laboratory results in an automaticFin
class!!!!
General course objectives:
1. Get you interested or even excited about Physics.
2. Build conceptual tools and a basic knowledge of Physics at the college
level.
3. Have you leave with these tools and knowledge combined with the
gumption and confidence to use them to improve your life and your teaching.
4. Help you improve your ability to think.
The thought of being in a college physics class strikes terror to the hearts of some, it shouldn't. The reputation as a "tough course" comes mostly from the engineering and per-med students who have chosen fields which require a very rigorous physics program. This has obvious advantages. Physics can be a challenging field of study, but for some, that is part of the fun. Physics 304 is not as challenging as the engineering and pre-med courses. It has a somewhat different purpose.
Clearly, a good teacher understands the material at a higher level that the level she or he is teaching. This class will hopefully help you gain a higher level of understanding in physics. I have never taught at a elementary or middle school so I do not propose to "train" you to do so. We will develop some materials which you can use directly when you begin your teaching carriers, but more importantly I hope you will acquire the ability to produce your own materials.
Teaching elementary and middle school students is one of the most important jobs in our society! I obviously have a personal interest in quality teaching. Teaching is a challenging profession. I expect to see you perform up to that challenge. You should make sure you have allowed adequate quality time to spend on the subject. It is recommended that you allow at least two hours of study for every hour you are in class or laboratory.
COURSE OUTLINE
Measurement and Variables
Inclined Planes
Levers and Pulleys (Oct 11 Last day to drop without record)
Waves
Sound
Basic Electric Circuits
Electromagnetism
FINAL
The final is shceduled for Monday, Dec. 6 at NOON! for the Monday lecture. and Tuesday, Dec 5 at NOON for the Tuesday lecture. The best way to prepare for the final exam is to keep up throughout the quarter. Cramming the night before the exam does not make-up for neglecting your studies throughout the quarter. The exam will cover the material from both the lecture and the lab.
You will be allowed to have one 3x5 note card for the final. You will be allowed to write any information on this card you wish. No micro-writing is allowed. The writing must be of reasonable size (larger than 1/8 inch). This will be checked and confiscated during the exam leaving you without a card! Calculators are allowed but palm or lap computers are not allowed. Calculators which can communicate with other calculators via wireless communication are not allowed.
The exam may be different from any exam you may have experienced before. The esam does not only test how well you remember the material they are also meant to test how well you can use the material to solve new problems or answer new questions.
The different components of the course will carry the following weights:
Laboratory reports and project 90%
Final 10%
Grading scale:
100 - 95 A
94 - 90 -A
89 - 85 +B
84 - 80 B
79 - 75 -B
74 - 70 +C
69 - 65 C
64 - 60 -C
59 - 55 +D
54 - 50 D
49 - 45 -D
45 or less F
IMPORTANT NOTES: