COVID-19 safety and precautions
Click to expand for the continued precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic
Click to expand for the continued precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic
To promote public safety and protect students, faculty, and staff
during the coronavirus pandemic, Texas A&M University has adopted
policies and practices for the Fall 2020 academic term to limit virus
transmission. Students must observe the following practices while
participating in face-to-face courses and course-related activities
(office hours, help sessions, transitioning to and between classes,
study spaces, academic services, etc.):
- Self-monitoring: Students should follow the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommendations for self-monitoring.
Students who have a fever or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19
should participate in class remotely and should not participate in
face-to-face instruction.
- Face Coverings: Face coverings (cloth face covering,
surgical mask, etc.) must be properly worn (see the infographic to the right) in all non-private
spaces including classrooms, teaching laboratories, common spaces such
as lobbies and hallways, public study spaces, libraries, academic
resource and support offices, and outdoor spaces where 6 feet of physical
distancing is difficult to reliably maintain. Description of face
coverings and additional guidance are provided in the
Face Covering policy and
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) available on the
Provost website. If a student refuses to wear a
face covering, the instructor will ask the student to leave and join
the class remotely. If the student refuses to leave, they will be
reported to the Student Conduct Office for sanctions, the in-class
lecture will be canceled, and an asynchronous (recorded) lecture will
be delivered instead.
- Physical Distancing: Physical distancing must be
maintained between students, instructors, and others in course and
course-related activities. There will be a red line in front of the first row of seats separating the student and instructor spaces; do not cross that line and avoid approaching the podium before or after class, instead discussing any items with your instructor online through Zoom office hours.
- Classroom Ingress/Egress: Students must follow marked
pathways for entering and exiting classrooms and other teaching spaces.
Leave classrooms promptly after course activities have concluded. Do not
congregate in hallways and maintain 6-foot physical distancing when
waiting to enter classrooms and other instructional spaces.
- Taking your seat: To maintain physical distancing and
avoid students crawling over other each other, the central seats available
for that class should be filled first, then the next available one towards
the side walkway, then the next and so on until the row is filled. When
leaving, the outer seats should be vacated first, then the next seat in
toward the centre, and so forth.
Illustration of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Credit: The CDC | Alissa Eckert, MSMI; Dan Higgins, MAMS.
Click here to see the above infographic from the World Health Organization in its original size.
Important dates
Add/drop deadline |
5:00 pm | Mon Jan 25 |
Exam I |
6:00 pm | Fri Feb 12 |
Spring Break |
| Mar 19–21 |
Exam II |
6:00 pm | Fri Mar 12 |
Exam III |
6:00 pm | Fri Apr 9 |
Q-drop deadline |
5:00 pm | Tue Apr 20 |
Comprehensive |
6:00 pm | Fri Apr 23 |
Course Core Objectives
At the end of the semester a student is expected to master the following
core objectives:
- Critical Thinking: the intellectually disciplined process of
actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing,
synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated
by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication.
- Communication: to include effective development and
interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and
visual communication
- Empirical and Quantitative Skills: to include the manipulation
and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed
conclusions
- Teamwork: to include the ability to consider different points
of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose
or goal
Course overview
Physics 206, Newtonian Mechanics for Engineering and
Science, is the first semester of
a two-semester sequence in introductory physics, intended to introduce
students to the basic principles of Newtonian mechanics and harmonic
motion. We will cover topics in mechanics, Newton's Laws, the concepts
of energy and work, conservation of energy and momentum, rotational
motion, gravity, harmonic motion and waves. This corresponds to chapters
1–12 and 14 of Mosca and Tipler's Physics for Scientists and Engineers. The
course is taught with pre-lectures, lectures, recitations and
in-class particpation. The pre-lectures present the core concepts prior
to class
and allows more time for problem-solving strategies in class as compared
to traditional lectures. The recitation is meant to practice
problem-solving and to sharpen your reasoning about physics in a smaller
class-size setting than the main lecture (which will have close to 150
students in it). The material is presented at a level
that requires signficant algebra and trigonometry, as well as some basic
calculus.
Upon successfully completing this course, you will have come to understand
the basic principles governing the motion of objects, learned to think
more critically/scientifically, and developed the skills needed to attack
difficult problems. These are all skills that will serve you strongly in
your future courses and careers, even if you never again consider a
block sliding down an incline.
Course Schedule
The weekly class schedule
gives an outline of the course, but is by no means
definitive; check with your professor for a more complete schedule of
your specific sections. Your weekly homework, pre-lecture
and bridge assignment due dates are listed on Sapling's calendar and may
be adjusted as the semester progresses to accomodate the pace of the
class; you should refer back to that calendar often. Information about
the format of the recitations as well as problem sets used by your
recitation leader may be found here.
Instructors
Name |
Sections |
Lectures |
Syllabus |
E-mail |
Melconian |
213–218 |
Online |
TR |
9:45 am | – | 11:00 am |
pdf |
|
Mahapatra |
467–472 |
Online |
TR |
1:30 pm | – | 2:45 pm |
pdf |
|
Kolhinen |
473–478 |
Online |
TR |
6:45 pm | – | 8:00 pm |
pdf |
|
Teizer |
479–484 |
Online |
TR |
3:15 pm | – | 4:30 pm |
pdf |
|
Saslow |
485–490 |
Online |
MWF |
10:40 am | – | 11:30 am |
pdf |
|
Kocharovsky |
491–496 |
Online |
MWF |
12:00 pm | – | 12:50 pm |
pdf |
|
Ko |
561–566 |
Online |
MW |
5:35 pm | – | 6:50 pm |
pdf |
|
Teizer |
567–572 |
Online |
TR |
11:30 am | – | 12:45 pm |
pdf |
|
Jastram |
573–578 |
Online |
MW |
7:20 pm | – | 8:35 pm |
pdf |
|
Saslow |
579–584 |
Online |
MWF |
1:35 pm | – | 2:25 pm |
pdf |
|
Kocharovsky |
585–590 |
Online |
MWF |
9:20 am | – | 10:10 am |
pdf |
|
Zoom information
All information/links for the online component of
the course (lectures, recordings of lectures, recitations, exams)
may be found here: zoom-info-2021A.php.
You will need to authenticate with your TAMU NetID to access any Zoom
meetings or videos.
Policies
COVID-19
COVID-19
To promote public safety and protect students, faculty, and staff
during the coronavirus pandemic, Texas A&M University has adopted
policies and practices for the Fall 2020 academic term to limit virus
transmission. Students must observe the following practices while
participating in face-to-face courses and course-related activities
(office hours, help sessions, transitioning to and between classes,
study spaces, academic services, etc.):
- Self-monitoring: Students should follow the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommendations for self-monitoring.
Students who have a fever or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19
should participate in class remotely and should not participate in
face-to-face instruction.
- Face Coverings: Face coverings (cloth face covering,
surgical mask, etc.) must be properly worn (see the infographic to the right) in all non-private
spaces including classrooms, teaching laboratories, common spaces such
as lobbies and hallways, public study spaces, libraries, academic
resource and support offices, and outdoor spaces where 6 feet of physical
distancing is difficult to reliably maintain. Description of face
coverings and additional guidance are provided in the
Face Covering policy and
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) available on the
Provost website. If a student refuses to wear a
face covering, the instructor will ask the student to leave and join
the class remotely. If the student refuses to leave, they will be
reported to the Student Conduct Office for sanctions, the in-class
lecture will be canceled, and an asynchronous (recorded) lecture will
be delivered instead.
- Physical Distancing: Physical distancing must be
maintained between students, instructors, and others in course and
course-related activities. There will be a red line in front of the first row of seats separating the student and instructor spaces; do not cross that line and avoid approaching the podium before or after class, instead discussing any items with your instructor online through Zoom office hours.
- Classroom Ingress/Egress: Students must follow marked
pathways for entering and exiting classrooms and other teaching spaces.
Leave classrooms promptly after course activities have concluded. Do not
congregate in hallways and maintain 6-foot physical distancing when
waiting to enter classrooms and other instructional spaces.
- Taking your seat: To maintain physical distancing and
avoid students crawling over other each other, the central seats available
for that class should be filled first, then the next available one towards
the side walkway, then the next and so on until the row is filled. When
leaving, the outer seats should be vacated first, then the next seat in
toward the centre, and so forth.
Illustration of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Credit: The CDC | Alissa Eckert, MSMI; Dan Higgins, MAMS.
Click here to see the above infographic from the World Health Organization in its original size.
Absences
Absences
- Only in the case of
officially excused
absences will a student be allowed to remedy a missed exam
or recitation.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the "Explanatory Statement for Absence from Class
form" (which is generally not sufficient) will be
accepted.
- Consistent with Rule 7.3, students are required to notify
their instructor and/or their T.A. by the end of the second working
day after their absence, and documented proof must be presented within
one week of the last date of the absence. Otherwise, the student
will receive a zero for the missed exam and/or
recitation.
- Note: very few conditions qualify as an authorized excused absence, so
avoid missing an exam at all costs!
Exams
Exams
The final exam grade will be based on the fraction of learning objectives
achieved. Any LO with a passing grade (≥60% of the times tested) in the comprehensive exam will supercede
the results for that LO from the 2 midterms. However, if a LO is not passed
in the comprehensive exam, it will count just like other midterms in the cumulative passing criteria.
- If you miss an exam without a valid and accepted
University-excused absence (see above), you will receive a
"fail" on all learning objectives tested.
- There will be no make-up examinations
for missed exams in this course, except for the comprehensive test.
Consistent with Rule 7.3, the satisfactory alternative to a
make-up exam will be to have the student's exam grade based on the
smaller subset of learning objectives which don't include the ones
they weren't tested on. If it a learning objective was tested in
another exam, the performance on the other exams will be used to
determine if the learning objectives on the missed test were achieved.
- Unlike previous semesters, you will be expected to provide numerical
answers on the online midterm and comprehensive exams. Physical
calculators, however, are not allowed to be used.
The Respondus LockDown Browser has a built-in scientific calculator you
will use, and as a back-up there is also a white-listed link in eCampus
to an online scientific calculator.
If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation,
please contact Disability Services at White Creek complex on west campus
or call (979)845-1637. When you are scheduling your exam with Disability
Services, ensure that you do not finish before the rest of the class
begins the exam; we require this to maintain the integrity of the common
exams. For example, if you are alotted 3 hrs for a midterm exam, you
may start as early as 4:30pm and may not leave the testing center (or
have access to your phone or other modes of communication) until the
rest of the class starts at 7:30pm. Furthermore, we must receive
notification from them early enough (>1 week) before an exam
to make special accomodations.
Homework
Homework
- Unless you have a valid and accepted absence (see above) for missing
a full week of class, you will not
get an extension on the homework. You should start working on the weekly
assignment as soon as we start covering the material to avoid last-minute
complications; if you wait until the night before to do the homework, you
are much more likely to run into problems, either concept-related or from
technical issues!
- Each weekly assignment is due at a specified time, depending on your
individual instructor's schedule; you can see when they're due via the
calendar in Sapling.
- Late submissions are accepted,
however full credit will not be given. The
penalty is –10% per day past the deadline.
We are working to try and make it so there is a maximum penalty of 50%,
but currently the software does not allow this option; after 10 days past
the deadline, you will not be able to get any credit for doing late
homework.
- Each incorrect answer to a problem reduces your credit for that
problem by 3%. You have a maximum of 10 attempts per problem.
- Your final homework grade is based on your average grade over all
homework assignments.
Recitations
Recitations
- All recitations will be delivered online through Zoom. You should
be contacted by your Teaching Assistant for the meeting ID.
- It is required and important that you go to the recitation
in the first week of classes; you will be introduced to how
they will be run throughout the semester.
- If you miss a regularly scheduled recitation for a
valid and accepted absence (see above),
it is your responsibilty to inform your T.A.
immediately and promptly to make sure you do not lose points for your
recitation grade. Please do not contact your instructor before contacting
your T.A.; they run the recitations so, barring extenuating
circumstances, we will leave this up to them.
Pre-lectures and Bridge assignments
Pre-lectures and Bridge assignments
- You are required to watch all pre-lectures and answer the
bridge assignment questions on Sapling Learning. See the schedule on
Sapling for your specific due dates and times.
- Once you have answered the bridge assignment questions, you will not
be able to view them again until after the deadline has passed.
- Late submissions are not accepted.
i>Clickers
i>Clickers
- Due to the hybrid approach this semester, we will use the iClicker Cloud
for polling this semester. It is your responsibility to have
an account and hardware necessary to answer polling questions during
lectures for your participation grade.
- The use and implementation of in-class clicker quizzes may vary
instructor-by-instructor; you should receive all policies by the first day
of classes.
Course Components
Pre-requisites
Pre-requisites
A grade of
C or better in MATH 151
"
Engineering Mathematics I" or MATH 171
"
Analytic Geometry and Calculus" or equivalent. You are
expected to have a
working knowledge of plane geometry, trigonometry, and algebra. This
course is calculus-based, so some familiarity of calculus is also
assumed. You may check your preparedness in math by trying these
short quizzes. As
the semester progresses you will also be expected to have a working
knowledge of derivatives and integrals, and be proficient in the use
of vectors (component decomposition, addition, subtraction, dot and
cross products).
Learning objectives
Learning objectives
The course is based on learning objectives (LOs), which
is a substantial change to the traditional manner of grading exams. The
overall exam grade will be based on the fraction of LOs passed versus
tested (typically, 50-60 LOs are tested by the end of the semester).
A given LO is considered "passed" if ≥60% of the instances are
achieved. Since what matters most is how much you learn
at the
end of the semester, if an LOs is passed on the Comprehensive exam,
that LO is passed overall regardless of how it was tested on the
midterms. As an example: LO 21 is tested three times on Exam II and
none were achieved. It is tested another 2 times on Exam III, and is
achieved in both cases. Going into the Comprehensive, this LO is not
passing since it was achieved only 2/5=40% of the times tested. On the
Comprehensive, it is tested 3 more times and is achieved twice, so is
passed since 2/3=60%. Even though the overall
testing is 4/8=50%, this LO is passed because the Comprehensive trumps
all earlier attempts. However, if you fail the LO by itself in the comprehensive,
it is counted in the cumulative calculation as carrying the same weight as the midterms.
You may view your current status after
the first midterm at
https://freshman.physics.tamu.edu/p218/. It is in your best interest to
become familiar with the
list of objectives for this course at
http://mechanics.physics.tamu.edu/los.html.
Sapling Learning
Sapling Learning
The textbook and all other components are integrated with the
Sapling Learning system.
Registration is done using your NetID via
eCampus.tamu.edu.
Step-by-step instructions for signing up for Sapling are given
here.
If you encounter technical issues with the Sapling Learning
website, the most common solution is to disable blocking of pop-ups.
If this doesn't fix it, perhaps try another browser (e.g. Chrome).
If you still have issues, you can search their Knowledge Base and/or
contact Sapling's Technical Support team via the
link on your homepage of Sapling or with this link:
https://macmillan.force.com/macmillanlearning/s/.
The components integrated with Sapling Learning are:
- The textbook:
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers, vol.
1, 6th edition, by Mosca & Tipler, published by MacMillan. The
bookstore has a customized loose-leaf version (ISBN: 978-1319334420)
which includes single-term access the eBook and Sapling Learning for
$80. This is certainly your cheapest option, but you may find
another copy if you like and pay online to gain access to Sapling
Learning.
- Homework:
- Sapling Learning will be
used to submit the homework assigments on a weekly basis. It is
included in your textbook purchase. Since this is a new textbook,
from a different publisher, there is no accommodation possible for
those that have previously taken this course. Your eCampus page
has a link to access the site under "Sapling Learning" in the
content menu.
- Pre-lectures:
- There are weekly pre-lecture assignments which involve watching
videos that introduce you to the topic we will later discuss
in class. At the end of the videos are "Bridge" assignments
which are short quizzes on the material you just watched. This
component too is included in your textbook purchase.
- iClicker Reef:
- If you don't already have access for
other classes, you will need to purchase access to
iClicker Reef for in-class and remote participation
during the lectures. We will not use the physical i>clicker2
(physical) remote this semester; the Reef system allows students
to answer whether in class or at home using a laptop or smartphone
app.
Math preparation
Math preparation
Although not "required," we
highly recommend that you check your
math skills by taking these
simple quizzes.
If you're not prepared enough in math and don't find them simple, then
you will be at an immediate disadvantage in this course; it is far too
easy to fall behind in this fast-paced class, even if you're already
strong in math.
Course Evaluation
Exams |
80%
(all sections)
There are 3 common midterms on the
evenings of
Fri Feb 12, Fri Mar 12, and Fri Apr 9..
In addition, we will be having a common comprehensive exam covering
all of the material in the course on the
Fri before classes end,
Apr 23.
All exams will be online, begin at 6:00 pm, and are multiple choice.
Exams are graded in terms of learning
objectives. The complete list of learning objectives that a student
is expected to master at the end of the semester is posted at
mechanics.physics.tamu.edu/los.html. In
the end, the final exam grade will be based on the
fraction of learning objectives achieved. Any LO with a passing grade
in the comprehensive exam will trump the results for that LO from the
3 midterms. However, if a LO is not passed in the comprehensive exam,
it will count just like other midterms in the cumulative passing criteria.
|
Online homework |
5% (3% for honour sections)
Submitted and graded using Sapling
Learning
|
Recitations |
5% (all sections)
The grade for recitations is based on participation. See
this page for more information.
We strongly suggest you be an active learner and actively
participate in the discussions of these smaller class-sized
recitations.
|
Pre-lectures and
Bridge assignments |
5% (3% for honour sections)
In Sapling Learning, there are pre-lecture videos to introduce
concepts followed by Bridge assignment questions to assess how
well you grasped the core physics concepts.
|
i>clickers |
5% (3% for honour sections)
A personal response system used for in-class participation and/or
quizzes.
|
Honours
assignments |
6% (honours only)
Only applicable to sections 213–218. The instructor
will provide details in class.
|
Resources available to you
Course strategies: |
A link to (Dr. Melconian's) advice you may find useful …? |
Office hours: |
Hopefully all of you feel comfortable
taking advantage of your professor's office hours if you
have any questions. |
Supplemental Instruction: |
The Academic Success Center at TAMU will be providing free weekly supplemental instruction led by a student who recently completed (and
did well in!) PHYS 206. Quoting a pamphlet about this
program: SI is a program in place to help students succeed in
historically difficult courses (no, this isn't an "easy A" course).
It has been proven that students who regularly attend SI sessions
score 1/2 to a full letter grade better in the
course.
Information regarding this year's SI leader and sessions
will be posted here once the schedule has been finalized. |
Recitations: |
Your teaching assistant (TA) should be an invaluable
resource for you! Go to recitations armed with questions (just like
you should come to the lectures!) and get the TA to help clear up
any misconceptions or difficulties you may have. Another person
explaining another way (and also who was more recently in your shoes)
may resonate better with you; this is, after all, the whole point of
the recitations. |
Mechanics Scholars Competition
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, the Mechanics Scholars
Competition has been cancelled this semester. Those enrolled in
PHYS 206 may take it next time it is offered (hopefully near the
end of Spring 2021
semester, but more likely Fall 2021).
Further information
Math readiness: |
link to some simple quizzes to test how prepared you are in math. |
Formula sheets: |
link to the formula sheets that will be provided to you for each
midterm and the comprehensive exam. |
Previous exams: |
link to the midterms and finals from PHYS 206 last year
(with answer keys). Note that this course adopts
a common midterm exam policy: all sections of PHYS 206
will write the same midterms at the same time; your professor is
only one of a number of faculty that will be contributing problems
to the midterms. |
Academic calendar: |
link to the Registrar's academic calendar. Includes important dates,
holidays and deadlines. Note that all sections of PHYS 206
write a comprehensive exam the evening of
Fri Apr 23
(6:00–9:00 pm). Therefore we will not
be having a final exam during finals week. |
eCampus: |
Texas A&M's centralized learning management system, powered by
Blackboard Learn. |
Academic Integrity Statement and Policy
"An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or
tolerate those who do."
"Texas A&M University students are responsible for authenticating
all work submitted to an instructor. If asked, students must be able to
produce proof that the item submitted is indeed the work of that student.
Students must keep appropriate records at all times. The inability to
authenticate one's work, should the instructor request it, may be
sufficient grounds to initiate an academic misconduct case"
(Section 20.1.2.3, Student Rule 20).
You can learn more about the Aggie Honor System Office Rules and Procedures, academic integrity, and your rights and responsibilities at
aggiehonor.tamu.edu.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement
Texas A&M University is committed to providing equitable access
to learning opportunities for all students. If you experience barriers
to your education due to a disability or think you may have a disability,
please contact Disability Resources in the Student Services Building or
at (979) 845-1637 or visit disability.tamu.edu. Disabilities may include, but
are not limited to attentional, learning, mental health, sensory,
physical, or chronic health conditions. All students are encouraged to
discuss their disability related needs with Disability Resources and
their instructors as soon as possible.
Title IX and Statement on Limits to Confidentiality
Texas A&M University is committed to fostering a learning
environment that is safe and productive for all. University policies
and federal and state laws prohibit gender-based discrimination and
sexual harassment, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation,
domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
With the exception of some medical and mental health providers, all
university employees (including full and part-time faculty, staff,
paid graduate assistants, student workers, etc.) are Mandatory Reporters
and must report to the Title IX Office if the employee experiences,
observes, or becomes aware of an incident that meets the following
conditions (see University Rule 08.01.01.M1):
- The incident is reasonably believed to be discrimination or
harassment.
- The incident is alleged to have been committed by or against
a person who, at the time of the incident, was (1) a student
enrolled at the University or (2) an employee of the University.
Mandatory Reporters must file a report regardless of how the information
comes to their attention – including but not limited to face-to-face
conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion,
email, text, or social media post. Although Mandatory Reporters must file
a report, in most instances, you will be able to control how the report
is handled, including whether or not to pursue a formal investigation.
The University's goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of
options available to you and to ensure access to the resources you need.
Students wishing to discuss concerns in a confidential setting are
encouraged to make an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
Students can learn more about filing a report, accessing supportive
resources, and navigating the Title IX investigation and resolution
process on the University's Title IX webpage.
Statement on Mental Health and Wellness
Texas A&M University recognizes that mental health and wellness
are critical factors that influence a student's academic success and
overall wellbeing. Students are encouraged to engage in proper self-care
by utilizing the resources and services available from Counseling &
Psychological Services (CAPS). Students who need someone to talk to can
call the TAMU Helpline (979-845-2700) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. weekdays
and 24 hours on weekends. 24-hour emergency help is also available
through the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255) or at
suicidepreventionlifeline.org.