EF 151 - Physics for Engineers I - Syllabus

Course and Schedule

EF 151 Physics for Engineers I (4 credit hours) Calculus based study of basic physics concepts including vectors, kinematics, Newton's laws, forces, work-energy, and impulse-momentum. Introduction to team work. Introduction to the engineering disciplines, examination of engineering principles and design issues; oral and written presentation skills. A - F grading. Registration Restriction: Tickle College of Engineering or biosystems engineering majors. Coreq: Math 132 or 141 or higher; EF 105 or COSC 101 or 102.

Course Objectives

  • Provide physics and math fundamentals for engineering
  • Provide exposure to different engineering disciplines
  • Learn, participate in, and practice the engineering design process

Instructor and Course Information

Instructors
Dr. Richard Bennett (rbennet2@utk.edu) Marie Franzen (mfranzen@vols.utk.edu)
Matthew Sherrod (msherro6@vols.utk.edu)
Paulina Urbanowicz (purbanow@vols.utk.edu)

Office: Rm. 260 Zeanah Engineering Complex, 974-9810, Cheryl Huskey (chuskey1@utk.edu)

Website

https://efcms.engr.utk.edu/ef151-2024-01 - you must have consistent and reliable access to the website. The website contains a calendar of topics, assignments, and dates for exams.

Office Hours and Help Sessions

Instructors have open office hours for quick questions. See the Instructors/GTAs page for more details. An online discussion board and other help are also available. See the Help tab for more.

Materials

A list of materials that you will need for class is available by following this link.

Grading

  • (54%) Exams
    • Four module exams (10% each)
    • Comprehensive final exam (14%)
    • Improvement incentive: If you score higher on the final exam than your lowest module exam, the final exam score will replace your single lowest exam score.
  • (8%) Learning Assignments
  • (8%) Prep Questions
  • (10%) Practice Problem Assignments
  • (10%) Team Projects
  • (10%) Labs
  92   89   86   82   79   76   72   69   66   62   60  
A  | A- | B+ | B  | B- | C+ | C  | C- | D+ | D  | D- | F
Grades are rounded, so a 91.5 average would be an A.
A grade of C or better in EF 151 is required in order to take EF 152.

VolCore Natural Sciences Course Objectives

As a course that fulfills the Natural Sciences (NS) requirement of the University of Tennessee's VolCore Requirements, it will produce the following outcomes.

  1. Students will demonstrate the ability to describe fundamental principles and chief discoveries through appropriate use of the basic vocabulary of a course’s discipline.
  2. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify the scientific dimensions of contemporary issues.
  3. Students will demonstrate the ability to use experimental techniques to answer questions and test hypotheses.

VolCore Engaged Inquiries Course Objectives

As a course that fulfills the Engaged Inquiries (EI) requirement of the University of Tennessee's VolCore Requirements, it will produce the following outcomes.

  1. Applied Learning
  • Students will apply skills and knowledge from the classroom in hands-on situations, real-world settings, or in independent/ directed research or creative projects.
  1. Collaborative Learning
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to engage effectively in a group to complete an investigative, creative, or practical work.

Digital Device Policy

Technology can enhance classroom learning in many ways, but can also be a source of distraction for yourself or others in your class. We encourage the use of technology in the classroom as an aid to learning. There are limits to what can be used in the classroom.

The following guidelines should be followed:

  • You should not use a digital device that is a distraction to your learning. You are responsible for your learning. You may only use a device to aid in your learning. It is important that you practice self-regulation with your use of technology or digital devices in all learning settings.
  • You cannot use a digital device that is a distraction to another person's learning. You share your learning space with many others in our class. At no time should you use a device in a way that is distracting to others. This includes viewing content, sites, or social media that does not pertain to that day's work as well as any type of behavior that is inappropriate or harmful to others in the class. There is a zero tolerance policy in our course as well as at UTK for any behavior that can be interpreted as harrassment or bullying.
  • You cannot use a device with communication capability on an exam. For example, while phone, tablet or computer apps are acceptable for use during a regular class day, you cannot use a smartphone calculator app on an exam. You must use a calculator with no communication capabilities.

All other forms of digital device use are acceptable and encouraged in this course, both during class and lab.

Academic Integrity

Each student is responsible for his/her personal integrity in academic life and for adhering to UT’s Honor Statement. The Honor Statement reads: “An essential feature of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a commitment to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual integrity and academic honesty. As a student of the university, I pledge that I will neither knowingly give nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic work, thus affirming my own personal commitment to honor and integrity.”

We take inappropriate or unethical work in this course VERY seriously. Inappropriate or unethical work is unfair to those students in the course who follow academic integrity guidelines. It also shows a lack of character in regards to future practice in the engineering profession. EF faculty and staff are dedicated to ensuring integrity of all work conducted throughout our courses and will pursue all means necessary, in partnership with the Tickle College of Engineering, the Dean of Students, and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards to ensure an equitable learning environment.

Specific details regarding Academic Integrity in EF 151 are here.

AI Policy

This course will follow strict AI use guidelines. That is, it is expected that all submitted work is produced by the students themselves, whether individually or collaboratively. Students must not seek the assistance of Generative AI Tools like ChatGPT. Use of Generative AI Tools to complete an assignment, unless otherwise explicitly indicated and outlined, constitutes academic dishonesty.

Course Material Copyright

The instructors of this class own the copyright to the syllabus, handouts, assignments, quizzes, and exams associated with the class. All presentations developed by the instructors, as well as the instructors' lectures, are also protected by copyright, whether these presentations are delivered live in-class, shared through Zoom or other videoconference platforms, or uploaded to a web site.

Sharing any of this material without the written permission of the instructor is a violation of copyright law, and is therefore also a violation of the University’s policy on acceptable use of information technology resources (UT policy number IT0110). That policy states that students will not commit copyright infringement, “including file sharing of video, audio, or data without permission from the copyright owner” and that file sharing is a violation of the university’s student code of conduct. All such violations will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

University Civility Statement

Civility is genuine respect and regard for others: politeness, consideration, tact, good manners, graciousness, cordiality, affability, amiability and courteousness. Civility enhances academic freedom and integrity, and is a prerequisite to the free exchange of ideas and knowledge in the learning community. Our community consists of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and campus visitors. Community members affect each other’s well-being and have a shared interest in creating and sustaining an environment where all community members and their points of view are valued and respected. Affirming the value of each member of the university community, the campus asks that all its members adhere to the principles of civility and community adopted by the campus: http://civility.utk.edu/.

Students with Disabilities

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment for all students. If you anticipate or experience a barrier in this course due to a chronic health condition, a learning, hearing, neurological, mental health, vision, physical, or other kind of disability, or a temporary injury, you are encouraged to contact Student Disability Services (SDS) at 865-974-6087 or sds@utk.edu. An SDS Coordinator will meet with you to develop a plan to ensure you have equitable access to this course. If you are already registered with SDS, please contact your instructor to discuss implementing accommodations included in your course access letter.

Emergency Alert System

The University of Tennessee is committed to providing a safe environment to learn and work. When you are alerted to an emergency, please take appropriate action. Learn more about what to do in an emergency and sign up for UT Alerts. Check the emergency posters near exits and elevators for building specific information. In the event of an emergency, the course schedule and assignments may be subject to change. If changes to graded activities are required, reasonable adjustments will be made, and you will be responsible for meeting revised deadlines.