AL AKHAWAYN UNIVERSITY School of Science and Engineering

GENERAL PHYSICS I (PHY1401)

Spring 2019
General

Instructor: Dr. Hassane Darhmaoui

Office: Building 4, CLT, 3rd floor
Telephone: Ext. 2141
E-mail: H.Darhmaoui@aui.ma
Office Hours: MW: 14:30-15:30, TR 9:30-12:30, other hours by appointment.

Course Description

This is a four credit-hour, calculus-based physics course that is required for all SSE students. It's
an introduction to general physics, which mainly addresses classical Mechanics. Topics include:
Kinematics, Forces, Newton’s laws of motion, Work, Energy, Momentum, Impulse, Rotation,
Gravitation, Elasticity, Periodic motion, and Fluid mechanics.

Course Objectives and Intended Learning Outcomes

The course is designed to introduce the students to the essential concepts and tools of physics; it
provides a strong introduction to the basic laws and applications of mechanics and thermal
physics. Upon finishing it, students should have acquired the following skills:
 To demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of Newtonian mechanics and thermal
physics;
 To develop problem solving skills and apply them successfully in topics covered;
 To become familiar with lab equipment, experimental procedures, and data collection and
analysis relating to the course topics;
 To develop the ability to communicate scientific concepts, terminology, methods, and results
effectively by means of written reports on problem solutions and laboratory work.

Course Prerequisite
Calculus 1 (MTH 1311)

Textbook
University Physics with Modern Physics, Westfall, 2nd Edition

Grading policy
 Attendance and Class Participation 5%
 Quizzes, Assignments, and Group Work 20 %
 Laboratory 20 %
 1st and 2nd Tests 30 %
 Final Test 25 %

Assignments
Individual homework will be assigned either via the portal or the platform CONNECT
(textbook).

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Scanned copies of your assignments are to be uploaded to the portal before the due date. All
assignments must be written on regular A4 paper (210x297 mm) and scanned to a single pdf file.
The following format should be respected:
 In the top margin write: your name & ID, Course number & section, group number,
assignment number, and date.
 Solution: neatness and a logical flow in your solutions are required. Always highlight
final result (or draw a box around it), be sure to report units, use significant figures in
your solutions. Unless otherwise stated, 3 significant figures are required.
Hard copies of your assignments should be submitted during class time session that follows the
online submission deadline.

Quizzes
Four to five short in class quizzes (15-20 min.) will be assigned, of which, the lowest grade will
be dropped. There will be group quizzes as well as individual quizzes. Each quiz is worth 10
points. No make-up quizzes will be given.
Other online quizzes will be posted on the portal.

Examinations
The final exam will be comprehensive while the other two tests will cover specific chapters that
will be announced to you. A non-programmable scientific calculator and a formula sheet may be
used during exams. No make-up tests will be given unless a certified excuse from the
registrar is provided.

Laboratory
Laboratory is an essential part of this course. It is necessary for you to attend the entire laboratory
sessions and turn in you lab report at the end of each session. More laboratory rules are explained
in your Phy1401 laboratory manual (posted on the portal).

Absenteeism
Attendance will be evaluated according to the university absenteeism regulations (see University
Catalog).

Academic Integrity
1. Academic misconduct
The university’s statement on academic integrity is found in AUI Catalog and Student Handbook: “It is
the aim of the AUI faculty to foster a spirit of honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of
students to present as their own any work which they have not produced is a most serious offense and
makes the offenders subject to serious consequences, including suspension. The instructor is responsible
for initiating action for dishonesty or plagiarism that occurs in his/her class. In cases where there is
convincing evidence of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, or falsification, the instructor should take
appropriate action. Before taking such action, however, the instructor should discuss the matter with the
student involved.”
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic
records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student
(such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without
the prior permission of the instructor) or the attempt to commit such an act.
Examinations are to assess what you know individually; cheating on an exam will result in a score of 0
(zero) for the test and may be extended to an "F" in the course.
Avoid plagiarism on formal writing assignments by making liberal use of citing references. Plagiarism
will result in a score of 0 (zero) for the assignment; this includes the class project.
Cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the SSE Dean’s Office. Students with serious or
multiple violations may be referred to the Student Disciplinary Committee for further discipline.

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2. Civility in the Classroom
In this course, you are expected to act in a manner consistent with the behavior expected in the
professional workplace. Respect each other, come to class prepared, be supportive of others, be attentive,
contribute when appropriate, and be engaged in your learning. Civility is expected and assumed.
In order for everyone to have the opportunity to maximize learning, inappropriate or disruptive behavior
is prohibited and may result in a request to leave the classroom at a minimum. Examples include, but are
not limited to, using cell phones in class, texting in class, food or drink in class, chewing gum, excessive
tardiness or late arrivals, demanding special treatment, challenges to the instructor’s authority, leaving
class early, shuffling backpacks and book bags, using offensive language or remarks, wearing caps,
prolonged side discussions, playing games in class, sleeping, over inattentiveness, and using a laptop
during class unless instructed to do so.

NB: Cell-phones must be turned off in class and laboratory.

Week Date Content

1 Jan 14 – Jan 18 Chapter 1 Overview - Units and physics quantities, vectors
2 Jan 21 – Jan 25 Chapter 2: Motion in a straight line
3 Jan 28 – Feb 1 Chapter 3: Motion in two and Three Dimensions
4 Feb 4 – Feb 8 Chapter 4: Force
5 Feb 11 – Feb 15 Chapter 4: Force (Cont.)
6 Feb 18 – Feb 22 Chapter 5: Kinetic Energy, work, and power
7 Feb 25 – Mar 1 Test 1
Chapter 6: Potential Energy and Energy Conservation
8 Mar 4 – Mar 8 Spring Break
Mar 11 – Mar 15 Chapter 7: Momentum and Collisions
9 Mar 18 – Mar 22 Chapter 8: Systems of Particles and Extended Objects
10 Mar 25 – Mar 29 Chapter 9: Circular Motion
11 Apr 1 – Apr 5 Chapter 10: Rotation
12 Apr 8 – Apr 12 Chapter 11: Static Equilibrium
13 Apr 15 – Apr 19 Test 2
Chapter 12: Gravitation
14 Apr 22 – Apr 26 Chapter 13: Solids and Fluids
15 Apr 29 – May 3* Chapter 14: Oscillations
16 May 6 – May 10 FINAL EXAMS (May 2 – 9)

Important dates:
March 20 Last Day to Drop a Course with “W”. Beyond this date “WP” or “WF”
April 5 Last Day to Drop a Course with “WP” or “WF”
May 1 Holyday: Labor Day.
April 30 Last Regular Class Day

Good Luck! Have a great semester.