AP Physics C Course Description and Policies
Welcome!
AP Physics C is designed to be equivalent to first year college courses in mechanics and in electricity and magnetism that would typically be taken by students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering. This course is an in-depth study of the fundamental theories and laws of classical physics with emphasis on problem solving skills. Calculus is an integral part of the course. The specific content is determined by the College Board AP Program and due to limited time only those topics which appear on the AP test will be considered. General information about the College Board can be found at www.collegeboard.com. Specific information about AP Physics C can be found here.
Homework,
Tests, Lab Exercises, etc. all give you the opportunity to earn points. Your grade at
any time is the percentage of points you have earned out of the total possible
points. This percentage will be rounded
to the nearest whole number and 5% will be added at the end of the term (
93 100 A
85 92 B
77 84 C
70 76 D
0 69 F
For each unit of study there will be a rather extensive set of problems and questions. Students are expected to complete each assignment on separate paper in legible handwriting. Each item should be adequately labeled and answers to numerical problems should be circled or boxed following the work that produced that answer. To receive full credit your method of solution must be evident. In most cases this means showing calculations, equations, and/or algebraic operations. Your solution does not have to be correct to get credit as long as you have made a reasonable attempt to work the problem. More details can be found here.
Most units of study will end with an exam covering the stated objectives. The format of each unit exam will be as close as possible to that of the AP test both in content and style of questions. This includes a multiple choice section and a free response section. For the free response section, students will be allowed to use the same information and equation sheet that is provided during the AP test and also any standard scientific or graphing calculator except those with QWERTY keyboards. For more information about the AP testing program consult the College Board web site here.
There
will be approximately one lab exercise per week (usually two per unit of
study). Reports are graded both for
completion and correctness. Students are
expected to collect all graded reports in a notebook or portfolio. More details can be found here.
Late Work
Assigned work will have a due date. Work should be ready to turn in at the beginning of the class period before the bell. Work turned in after the bell will have 10% deducted. Work received one day late after the due date will have 20% of the possible grade deducted. Work received beyond one day late will have another 10% deducted for each additional school day late -- up to a maximum deduction of 50%. For this purpose the day ends when class begins. If you are absent from school on the due date or the day before, the due date for you will be extended beyond your return to class the number of consecutive days you were absent prior to the original due date.
Making Up Work
You may make-up a test or a lab activity in the case that you have an excused absence from class. If you are present on the day of the test you must take the test unless you have missed the previous 2 or more days in a row. It is your responsibility to see me to arrange for the test or lab to be made up. You have three days upon your return to arrange the make-up. Failure to do so may result in a score of zero on the missed work. Preparing and grading make-up tests is a pain for me. For this reason rescheduling make-ups will be permitted only in extreme cases.
Tardiness
If you are not in your seat when the bell rings you are late to class. If this happens to you, sign the Attendance Log located near the door. Do not interrupt class! If you feel you have a good reason for being late, either see me after class or give me a note from a faculty member. The main reason for the Attendance Log is this: as soon as the bell rings I will take roll; if you are not in your seat when the bell rings I will mark you absent. I hold onto the Attendance Log until the end of the semester and use it to correct your attendance record for the class if necessary. Punishment for repeated tardiness is described in the Farragut High School Attendance Policy (in your school folder). I will try to warn you if you are approaching one of the magic numbers of tardies, however it is your responsibility to keep up with such things.
Cheating
Homework and Labs are not to be copied! It is fine to work with a partner or partners on such assignments but in the end it should be your own work that is turned in. Any student caught cheating will be subject to parent notification and permanent school documentation.
Behavior
I expect you to be honest, courteous, tolerant, respectful, and responsible. There is to be no food or drink in the room at any time.
The Unknown!
I have tried to anticipate most situations and questions in preparing this description. However, I know there will always be some circumstances that are impossible to foresee. Please let me know ASAP if you have some special conditions or problems that may affect your attendance or performance in this class. I am willing to be flexible if the cause is sufficient. Also, don't hesitate to seek me outside of class if you are having difficulties. I care. After all, it is my job to help you learn and that's what it's all about. I hope we have a fun and productive year.
The total course amount is $6.00. This figure is separated into two separate accounts
described below. These fees have been
approved by the Knox County Board of Education.
Any students receiving free or reduced price meals may have these fees
waived.
Of the $6.00 collected for each student $1.00 is
for the physics lab. This covers the
cost of materials that are expended in the lab.
Of
the $6.00 collected for each student $5.00 is for computers. This money goes into a separate account for
maintenance and supplies for the science department computers and printers that
are used by students in various activities.
This $5.00 is a voluntary donation, not a requirement. (Due to a bookkeeping technicality we must
make this a voluntary donation in order to be able to carry the funds in this
account over into the next fiscal year.
This gives us greater flexibility in maintaining and updating our
computer equipment.)
Each AP exam costs $87
and this will
be collected separately from other fees at a date later in the term. Note that there are two separate AP Physics C exams Mechanics and Electricity
& Magnetism which will each
cost $87. Material found on the
Mechanics exam is covered during the fall term and the material found on the
Electricity & Magnetism exam is covered during the spring term. Both exams are given on the same day in
mid-May.