Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

College Physics I (Face-to-Face)

PHYS 2010-03

Course: PHYS 2010-03
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSCI
CRN: 31715

Course Description

A trigonometric and algebra-based introductory course in physics. Topics in mechanics, including vectors, motion in one and two dimensions, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, momentum and collisions, circular motion and rotational dynamics, will be studied. Additional topics include solids and fluids, and selected topics in thermodynamics. A minimum grade of “C” (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a physical science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other course.

Required Texts

Title: College Physics 2e, Authors: Urone, & Hinrichs, Publisher: OpenStax, ISBN: 978-1-711470-82-5

WebsiteLinks to an external site.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Transform a physical situation described in English into a mathematical problem, and then analyze it quantitatively using the appropriate mathematical tools, including algebra and trigonometry (ELO: Problem Solving).
  • Make appropriate approximations in solving problems, and develop physical intuition, which includes the ability to determine whether a numerical answer is reasonable. Students will also analyze the limitations of their solutions (ELO: Quantitative Literacy).
  • Understand how theory, observation, and experimentation are complementary tools in the study of the basic laws of the universe (ELO: Inquiry & Analysis).
  • Apply the principles of physics across discipline boundaries (ELO: Inquiry & Analysis).

Course Requirements

Your course grade will be determined as follows:

ItemPercentage
Midterms50%
Homework15%
In-Class Exercises15%
Final20%
Assignment Outline
Exams:

The four midterms and the final exam will consist of multiple-choice, short-answer, and true/false questions, and will be administered in class.

For each exam, including the final, you will prepare a one-page 'cheat sheet' with whatever equations, etc., you deem necessary. I will provide constants, but it is your job to come prepared with the relevant equations.

Homework:

Homework will be administered approximately weekly through Canvas, and will be posted under 'Assignments.' The homework questions will come in a variety of formats. I encourage you to work together, although each student will need to submit their own work. The questions will be very similar to those in the back of the book, and some may even come verbatim from the book. No late homework will be accepted, and the lowest homework score will be dropped. Homework will be due at 10:00 pm.

In-Class Exercises:

There will be in-class exercises consisting of multiple choice, short answer questions, and short writing prompts on most days. I encourage you to talk with students around you and ask me questions during these exercises. These are meant to improve your understanding of the concepts as well as show who has been coming to class. I will drop the lowest three in-class exercises. This policy is designed to allow for illness, medical appointments, job interviews, university activities, etc.

The grading scale for this course will be as follows. Note that the grade descriptions come from University Policy 6.13:

GradeRangeDescription
A100% - 93%Excellent
A-93% - 89%Excellent
B+89% - 86%Above average
B86% - 83%Above average
B-83% - 73%Above average
C+79% - 76%Average
C76% - 71%Average
D+71% - 67%Below average
D67% - 63%Below average
D-63% - 60%Below average
FBelow 59%Failure/poor
Class Policies

No extra credit work is available. If you're doing well you don't need it, and if you're not doing well you should put that effort into the regular class work. Additionally, I will not respond to emails or requests to bump grades.

File Uploads: It is your responsibility to make sure any files you upload are in the appropriate format. Any files that are blank or corrupted will be given a score of zero. Any files that are emailed directly to me will not be graded: your work must be uploaded to the appropriate assignment in Canvas.

Vacations and leaving early for break are not acceptable excuses. Do not make travel plans that conflict with exams. If your parents will be making your travel plans, inform them of this policy and the official university.

All matters not explicitly covered in this Syllabus or by University-wide policy are left to the discretion of the instructor.

Course Outline

Important Dates:
First ExamSeptember 15
Second ExamOctober 06
Third ExamOctober 27
Fourth ExamNovember 17
Final ExamDecember 8
Preliminary Schedule:
WeekDatesTopicReading
1Aug. 27 - Aug. 28Units, Quantities, Sig FigsCh. 1
2Sep. 1 - 4KinematicsCh. 2
3Sep. 8 - 11VectorsCh. 3
4Sep. 15 - 182-D KinematicsCh. 3
5Sep. 22 - 25Forces ICh. 4
6Sep. 29 - Oct. 02Forces IICh. 5
7Oct. 06 - 09Circular Motion & GravityCh. 6
8Oct. 13-16Work & EnergyCh. 7
9Oct. 20 - 23Work & EnergyCh. 7
10Oct. 27 - 30MomentumCh. 8
11Nov. 03 - 06Statics & TorqueCh. 9
12Nov. 10 - 13RotationCh. 10
13Nov. 17 - 20Angular MomentumCh. 10
14Nov. 24 - 27No ClassThanksgiving Break
15Dec. 01 - 04Fluid StaticsCh. 11
16Dec. 08:
3:00 - 4:50 PM
Final ExamCumulative

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

No late homework will be accepted, and the lowest homework score will be dropped. Homework will be due at 10:00 pm.

Late Policy: No late work will be accepted.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is required at all class meetings. This is listed as a face-to-face class, and the expectation is that you will attend the class in person. I don't Zoom the class so don't ask.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.