WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Department of Chemistry, Physics, & Geology


Semester: Fall 2022                   Course: PHYS 201L - General Physics I Laboratory - Sims 205 and 207 

001: W 2-4:50, 002: W 5-7:50, 003: R 2-4:50, 004: W 5-7:50.
Credit hours: 0                        Co-requisite: PHYS 201                  Lab Schedule        

Professor: Dr. Ponn Maheswaranathan (Mahes), Sims 213-B.    
Office Hours: T,R 11-12:30 In-person (Sims 213B) and BB virtual  WebLink   T,R 3-4:30 PM or by appointment.                  
E-mail: mahesp@winthrop.edu   Cell: 803-504-9399

Textbook: College Physics, by OpenStax, Free Online Textbook, https://openstax.org/details/college-physics.

After the completion of the lab, you need to do a post-lab quiz, in the PHYS 201 BB page. This will carry 10% of the lab score. The lab report (created by inserting data tables, graphs, and conclusion in the electronic copy of the lab handout) is due through the PHYS 201L BB page, will carry 90% of the lab score.

Guidelines for the in person laboratory: 

1.   You must read the lab-handout and the relevant materials from the textbook before the lab period and be prepared for the laboratory.

2.   You need to wear mask and follow social distancing in the lab.

3.   The laboratory equipment will be placed in the lab-tables, leave them as you found them when you leave.

4.   You need to handle the equipment carefully, giving special attention when warranted.

General Education Requirements: Listed below are the fundamental student learning objectives (1 and 2,3,4,6) for natural science courses as well as examples of how they will be fulfilled in PHYS 201 and PHYS 201L. Upon completing this course, students will be 

1. Conversant with the following classical physics concepts: mechanics (eg., kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation, work, energy, power, rotational motion), fluids (eg., Archimedes’ principle, Pascal’s principle, and Bernoulli’s principle), wave motion, and sound. This competency will be assessed using homework, tests and final exam. 

2. Able to apply the scientific methodologies of inquiry. (e.g., In the co-requisite laboratory, PHYS201L, students will use scientific methods of inquiry to design and perform experiments and investigations). The students’ ability to fulfill this requirement is assessed using their lab reports. 

3. Able to discuss the strengths and limitations of science. (e.g., In the co-requisite laboratory, PHYS201L, students will use experimental error & accuracy during experimental design and data collection & analysis). The students’ ability to fulfill this requirement is assessed using their lab reports. 

4. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of scientific discovery. (e.g., topics and devices are introduced with historical perspectives. They will see how the scientific advances made in a laboratory transform into useful technological devices: development of the transistor from vacuum tube to silicon chip). This competency will be assessed using tests and final exam. 

6. Able to communicate about scientific subjects including (lab courses only) the defense of conclusions based on one’s own observations. (e.g., In the co-requisite laboratory, PHYS201L, students will write well-reasoned conclusions based on data and analysis of their experiments and investigations). The students’ ability to fulfill this requirement is assessed using their lab reports. 

Writing Component: The General Education Writing Component will be incorporated into this course by requiring the following writing assignment of at least 10 pages: In the co-requisite laboratory, PHYS201L, students will perform 13 labs and write lab reports. In these lab reports, they will write conclusions, a page long for each lab, for at least 10 labs, for a total of at least 10 pages of writing. The students’ ability to fulfill this requirement is assessed using their lab reports. 25% of the course grade for PHYS 201 comes from PHYS 201L. 

 Statement concerning course management: Any student enrolled in courses at Winthrop regardless of modality (traditional in-person, online, hybrid, telepathy, ...) is entitled access to all campus resources. These resources include, but are not limited to, admissions counseling, recreational facilities, and health, library, and academic services. Questions regarding access to these resources should be directed to the assigned academic advisor.

  COVID-19 Statement: The health and safety of the campus community is Winthrop’s top priority. As socially responsible members of this community, everyone is expected to engage in daily health self-monitoring and to stay home (residence hall or off-campus housing) from on-campus class, work, or activities if they begin experiencing any COVID-related symptoms. Please do not attend class if you have a fever or any signs of the COVID virus, do not attend class if your roommate or someone you have close contact with acquires the virus, and be respectful of others’ desire to remain COVID-free. Masking on campus remains optional but strongly encouraged, especially in indoor settings around others. Use the Patient Portal COVID-19 form to report illness or exposure and upload the positive test, if relevant. Students who violate WU guidelines will be asked to comply. Continued failure to comply may result in referral to the Dean of Students Office as a student conduct violation.  

COVID-Related Absence: Students should contact Health Services regarding a positive test, close contact, or enhanced COVID-like symptoms. Any student who has either tested positive, has COVID-like symptoms, or has close contact with someone who has COVID, must contact Health Services. Students should log in to the Patient Portal to complete a C19 form and upload the positive test, if relevant. Health Services will communicate with the student on what steps to take next, and if need be, the Dean of Students Office will receive absence verification for required isolation and quarantine. Students who verify their absences through the Dean of Students Office often minimize any academic impact caused by missed class time. Students retain a responsibility to communicate with instructors regarding missed work, and complete assignments in a timely manner as they are able. Regular communication with faculty is expected so that student progress in the course is not negatively impacted. Health Services will only provide dates of absence, not medical information. Please note, residential students who test positive must follow their personal COVID Quarantine and Isolation Plan. In person classes generally will not have a remote option; students should not expect to have remote access to the class lecture or discussion, even in the case of absence.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Attendance policy: Winthrop’s student class attendance policy, which stipulates that “attendance” is measured by course activity participation in online and/or in-person learning modalities, will be followed. Not completing the assignments on or before due dates is considered as absence from the course.  

Course Codes:  
001, W 2PM: 15694
002, W 5PM: 16137
003, R  2PM: 16171 004,W 5PM: 18066

Include W with your CWID.