Physics, SPH 4U1 Course Description

July Summer School

This course enables students to deepen their understanding of the concepts and theories of physics. Students will explore further the laws of dynamics and energy transformations, and will investigate electrical, gravitational, and magnetic fields; electromagnetic radiation; and the interface between energy and matter. They will further develop inquiry skills, learning, for example, how the interpretation of experimental data can provide indirect evidence to support the development of a scientific model. Students will also consider the impact on society and the environment of technological applications of physics.

These remarks are meant to be your guideline for this semester. Success will be eminently more attainable if you heed the following:

All tests must be written; if not you get zero, no questions asked.
I tolerate 1 test absence, you get the chance to write the test. On the second time you get zero; no questions asked.
If you are absent for a test assume that the next time you walk in the room you write the test. No questions asked. And be prepared for this.
You are only here for four weeks so be committed to being here.
Come to class every day and be ready to learn.
Classes start at 8:00 and end at 1:30.
1^st break is between 9:30 & 9:40
Lunch is between 11:10 & 11:30
2^nd break is between 12:20 & 12:30, with dismissal at 1:30 & this is the hardest part of the day to stay focused.
Your are not allowed to bring food or drinks into the class room
Since notes, homework, etc are on the Internet there is no excuse for not knowing what's happening. Or you can use the old fashion way: phone a classmate to find out what you missed and are responsible for.
Hand in all assignments, labs, etc on time and completed.
Late material may not be marked.
Be prepared to do all the homework; if you don't do homework you will probably fail this course, because if you won't do the problems for homework you will not be able to do similar problems on a test. Don't kid yourself about this; it is a statistically proven fact that this is true.
Homework questions will be posted on the Internet, (assuming that I have a text book) therefore there is no excuse for not knowing what was assigned.
You will be responsible to obtain help for questions that you cann't do. I don't have the class time to continually take up questions. Often your best bet is to get help prior to class, during the breaks or homework time or after class.
Class time will be provide for you to do the homework assigned. So do the work in class, don't waste the time. Learn the material during class time, don't kid yourself in thinking you can teach yourself this material at home; YOU CANN'T.
Ask for help or assistance when needed; use non-teaching time to get individual help.
Why come after school when you can usually get all the help you need right in class on your time; but I am here for you if assistance is needed.
Do not ask me near the end of this session for extra work or assignments to improve your mark when you have been negligent in student duties, such as not doing homework, late for class, taking extra long lunches, & not paying attention in class or not using class time to complete assigned work.
If you are in this class and come late, don't have your notebook, don't do homework, don't hand in complete assignments, skip tests then please ask yourself "WHY AM I HERE?", maybe you should be somewhere else.
And lastly; NO WORK = NO MARK = NO PASS

I can teach you but I cannot learn you !

Disruptive behavior:

Some people are just here to misbehave and hope they gain the credit. Well, it probably just won't happen. Remember, you don't need three science courses, this course is meant for those who wish to learn chemistry so that they can attend a community college. Don't get carried away with someone whose behavior is inappropriate; your marks will suffer.
Unsafe lab behavior can not be tolerated: any unsafe deliberate practice will result in you not preforming any more labs until parental contact is made. The principle will also be informed of such unsafe behavior.

Mark Distribution:

Subject to change as the need arises. See course expectations

Knowledge Understanding	50 %
Inquiry	10 %
Communication	5 %
Making Connections	5 %
Final Exam	30 %

Each assignment and test will contain these components in them.

Miscellaneous Comments

Each unit will generally consist of one major or summative test and one assignment (lab).
Each assessment will be placed into the above mentioned assessment categories. If you keep a good record of each, you will be able to tabulate your mark and help insure that it has been properly calculated.
Course notes are posted on the Internet. It is up to you to obtain or read them. Try to come to class with these notes. You most often will not be copying notes in class.
Homework checks are done and evaluated under the heading Communication ; so take advantage of this opportunity.
Homework will be checked regularly and during the first ten minutes of class. If you are late your homework will not be checked. Its either done and in class to show me or there is no marks. Leaving it at home gets you nothing.
I am not impressed with computers or printers that seem to malfunction the moment something is due.
Late assignments / labs are NOT accepted
If you are absent for a lab assume that you get zero for that lab.
One of my objectives in this course is to teach you self reliance and responsibility and as such you will not be hounded or chased for any assignment or lab. There are no lates.
There will (or may) be assignments that are posted on the INTERNET. These are to be researched and completed by each individual student. Specific time will be alloted during certain class periods for questions and assistance; be ready if you need the help. These have a due date and will not be accepted if late.
All labs require a title page with the correct and complete information.
You will be expected to memorize some information; such as the various Laws of Physics, i.e. Newton's Three Laws of Motion.
Labs can only be done on the assigned time frame
There is no such thing as a group lab or assignment. All labs and assignments are done by the individual.
There is no such thing as group hand-in work, unless you are specifically told by me!
Learn the material in the class, during class time; homework and study should be for review, not cold learning.
Since you should have the notes prior to class, you may and should ask questions about any concerns.
If you don't need this course, then drop it. All you will do is be disruptive and hinder those who need this course.
Check you college application to see if this is a required, manditory corse and what grade do you require to be admitted into your program, then keep focused on that goal.
Try to be considerate and courteous to me and your fellow classmates; it will make the class more enjoyable.