PHYS205A CRN: 30881/33092

Spring 2025:  Course runs Tuesday, January 21 - May 20, 2025

LECTURE: in-person    LAB:  hybrid (50% in-person, 50% online)

Instructor: Erik Veach

Contact information

Email Address: erik_veach@cuesta.edu   

You may contact me via email if you have questions prior to registering for the course or prior to the start of term.

Office Hours/Student Help:  I have regularly scheduled in-person office hours and I also provide a web link for you to make a Zoom appointment with me for one-on-one assistance during other times.   Cuesta College also offers in-person and online tutoring options.

Instructor Contact Expectations: 

The best and fastest way to contact me outside of scheduled class or office hour times is by email (or Canvas Inbox).  I will generally respond to your inquiry within 24 hours during weekdays.  During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours.  On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response.  If you make a Zoom appointment with me, you can expect me to be there for the scheduled time.  The appointments provide 15 minutes of time by default, but I am willing to extend this if you need more time and if I am available to do so.

Course Expectations

Course Environment:

This is a face-to-face (in person) course that will include some paper-based assignments and exams, but I will also be using the Web-based Learning Management System, Canvas, as another method to disseminate information and to accept some online assignments from you.   This is a lab science course.  the labs will be presented in a hybrid format, with half of the lab experiments done in person and half done online using various virtual simulations.

Class opens / Accessing Canvas:

Prior to the date classes start [January 21, 2025], you will receive an email to your @my.cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and providing you access to the introductory portions of the course within Canvas, the learning management system (LMS) used to deliver online parts of the course content. You can access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on Canvas within the "Services" listed.  

If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.  

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address: support@instructure.com  

Online Learning: 

While not a fully online course, this course will utilize online learning options, including online portion of the lab component of the class.  If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. 

Student Expectations:
• Materials necessary for course:  Course Textbook and you will need a scientific calculator for your assignments.  
• Time expectations for completion of course: expect to spend 3 hours per week in lecture, 1.5 hours per week in lab class, 1.5 hours per week working on online lab experiments, plus an additional 6-9 hours each week reading the textbook, reading supplemental materials, working on homework, completing lab assignments, and small group projects.

Course Description

Presents the principles of statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, harmonic motion, fluid mechanics, heat, thermodynamics, wave motion and sound using trigonometry

 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and quantify motion (kinematics), and apply Newton's laws to describe how forces affect motion (mechanics). (E.g. analyze forces acting on an object with a free-body diagram, and determine subsequent motion given initial conditions.)
2. Describe and apply conservation laws of energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum to quantify the initial-to-final evolution of systems of objects. (E.g. determine final state of a system of objects given initial conditions and in-process exchanges, by deciding which relevant objects to include in a system in order to implement appropriate conservation law(s).)
3. Describe and quantify different types of oscillations and waves, and the physical principles of these phenomena. (E.g. explain/predict the experience of disturbances of different media.)
4. Describe and apply the laws of thermodynamics to quantify the initial-to-final evolution of microscopic and macroscopic systems of gases, fluids, and solids. (E.g. determine the final state of a gas/fluid/solid, given initial conditions and in-process exchanges, by implement appropriate conservation law(s).)

 

Text Book and Materials

• Textbook:  Physics - Volume 1, 12th Ed. by Cutnell, John D
• Calculator: A scientific calculator is required for most assignments, quizzes, and exams
• Office 365:  Many of the assignments will use MS Office 365 documents such as Word and Excel.  You will need to access these using your @my.cuesta.edu credentials.  Cuesta students receive free access to Office 365 Education edition Links to an external site..
• Google Apps:  Lab assignments will use Google documents such as Docs and Sheets.  You will need to access these using either your @my.cuesta.edu credentials (recommended) or your own personal gmail account credentials.  

 

Technical Support

Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to  support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.

 

Accommodations:

If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources, please contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services). or call 805-546-3148

College & Course Policies:

Academic Honesty Policy: [Identify your course specific academic honesty policy]. In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conduct. 

Add / Drop Policy:

• Add Policy.
• Drop Policy.
• f you have not logged on to the course during the first 3 days or at least once in any 5 day period of time during the term, you will be dropped from the course (unless you have made prior arrangements with the instructor)

 

Waitlist Policy: please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructions