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Reconstruction for new semester in progress. Check back in August for updates. |
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| Textbook information and ISBN numbers are given part way down this page. |
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Reconstruction for new semester in progress. Check back in August for updates. |
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| This course is for students planning to major in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mathematics, or Computer Science, plus a few other majors (such as Science Education and some Geology programs) that specifically require it. |
| Most students should have completed CHM1045 before taking physics, although I understand why some successful students defer taking chemistry until after physics. However, anyone who has skipped chemistry needs to understanding that they will have to learn the basic SI units and unit conversion on their own. Our books assume that everyone else already knows this basic skill from other classes. I do not recommend taking chemistry, particularly organic chemistry, at the same time as physics and calculus. Chemical Engineering majors should finish up organic chem along with the first calculus course and then take physics along with the more advanced calculus classes. |
| Pharmacy, Architecture, and "Construction Engineering Technology" majors should NOT take this class. Details are given at the bottom of this page. |
Updated 30 June 2009.
Ref. no. 72386 --
MWF 12:20-1:10 in SM 135,
TR 12:00-12:50 in SMA 140
Ref. no. 72387 --
MWR 5:25-6:50 in SM 118
| Engineering majors need to read and understand all of the warnings below about the STRICT limits on attempts at "core" classes like calculus and physics and the importance of knowing all of the BASIC SKILLS taught in pre-calc and trig classes. |
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I want to emphasize this recommendation from my physics advising pages:
Most students should not take PHY2048 and MAC2311 at the same time unless they earned at least a "B" in both trig and pre-calc. The reason for this is that physics and calculus are true college-level classes, not easy ones like trigonometry. Both your calculus instructor and I will expect you to know certain key material covered in algebra and trig classes without reviewing it. Here is what students from Fall 2004 have to say about what you need to know about trigonometry. |
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Future engineering majors must realize that they rarely get more than
two attempts at any of the required "core" math and science classes.
Engineering schools look at every grade on your transcript, and each
has its own specific policy on the total number of failing grades
and/or withdrawals they will accept and the required minimum grade
and/or GPA you must have in "core" math and science classes.
For example, the FAMU-FSU policy (effective Summer 2007) does not count withdrawals but will not let you repeat more than a total of two failing grades in the four "core" courses they require for admission, and PHY2048 is a "core" course at FAMU-FSU for everyone except Chemical Engineers. Further, you will only be provisionally admitted if you have two failing grades in the four core courses and will be required to achieve a specific grade in a specific course on your first attempt before you will be allowed to continue. In addition, be advised that they count attempts at any institution, not just at TCC. They are serious about this, because you usually get only one try at an engineering class, and those professors will assume you still know the material learned in our classes. |
The textbook is Essential University Physics,
volume 1, by Richard Wolfson, first edition
(Pearson / Addison-Wesley, 2007).
ISBN-13: 9780805392128
The book is usually sold as a shrink-wrapped combination of
volumes 1 and 2. We will use volume 2 next semester.
You do not need "Mastering Physics" or a "clicker" bundled
with the book, just the book itself. The book has been available in
the TCC Bookstore and Bill's Bookstore since last year.
The textbook for the lab is
Physics Laboratory Manual, by David H. Loyd,
third edition (Brooks/Cole CENGAGE, 2008).
ISBN-13: 9780495114529
You must buy a NEW copy of the lab manual since we remove pages from
the book for use in the lab (data tables, calculations, and lab report
questions). The lab manual is used for both semesters at TCC.
You will also need a pen, either blue or black, in the lab.
Contact me immediately if you have any problems getting a lab manual!
You may NOT use a TI-83 calculator or any other graphing calculator, let alone a cell phone, during the exams in PHY2048. If you do not already own a decent 2-line scientific calculator as a backup to the TI-83Plus required in TCC math classes, you will need to buy one to use on tests in my class. I recommend one of the "solar" ones. Read my comments on the calculators you are allowed to use.
I am often asked what students should do to prepare for this class.
My detailed answer is in some notes on
preparing for the first day of class.
The short version of my answer is: The most important preparation for this class is to convince yourself that your job in college is to come to class prepared every day and learn everything well enough that you do not have to study for the "final" exam. There will never be a final exam on a subject you use every day. Two other key comments are a suggestion that you read my advice on taking calc-based physics, with particular emphasis on the algebra skills required for this class, and think about your program of study at TCC and when you should (or should not) graduate. I will go over both of these points on the first day of class.
Comment: A key thing to learn in physics is how to ask yourself the questions required to address a broader, not-so-well focussed question. Thus part of answering a question is to ask yourself "what question might I answer that will help me to deal with this one?".
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Student study suggestions: Go to the TCC Blackboard site around the first week of class and read the advice from last year's students on how to be successful in this course. |
Link to old draft of course plan
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Pharmacy and Architecture majors at FAMU should NOT take
this class.
FAMU requires PHY1053, not PHY2048, for those majors. (Since FAMU only accepts about 10% of the applicants to its Pharmacy program, you don't want to take a harder class that will likely lower your GPA!) I don't know of any schools that will only accept PHY2048 for Pharmacy. Check with me and them to confirm that you need the same physics class required for engineering before enrolling. If you decide to take this class, perhaps so you can major in Biochemistry after being rejected from the Pharmacy program, I strongly advise you to pass both MAC2311 and MAC2312 and get started on Organic Chemistry before taking physics. I also don't know of any Architecture schools that have a minimum requirement of PHY2048. Architecture programs generally require only the equivalent of the "trig based" PHY2053 class (PHY1053 at TCC) or an even more basic course such as PHY2004. Once again, check with me and them to confirm that you need the same physics class required for engineering majors before enrolling in PHY2048. If their class does not have a calculus pre-requisite, it isn't PHY2048. |
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Constructon Engineering Technology majors at FAMU should NOT take
this class. The FAMU catalog says they require PHY1053 for that major in the "College of Engineering Sciences, Technology, and Agriculture", which should not be confused with the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering because it does not lead to a career as a Licensed Professional Engineer. |
| The repeat rule highlighted near the top of this page only applies to those seeking a degree from a College of Engineering that can lead to a Professional Engineer license. It does not apply if you want to major in "Civil Engineering Technology" or "Electrical Engineering Technology" in the College of Engineering Sciences, Technology, and Agriculture at FAMU. They only require a passing grade on your transcript. |
Contact me if you have any questions. See my advising notes on physics for details.
Note that this class has Calculus I as a pre/corequisite
and that PHY 2048L must also be taken at the same time as PHY 2048.
My comments on the calculus requirements
for my physics courses.
My comments on the calculators
you are allowed to use.
Contact me
if you have any questions.
My TCC home page.