University Physics I: Mechanics

Instructor Information

• Course Coordinator: Dr. Megan Hollander (Assistant Teaching Professor of Physics)
• Section Instructors: Listed for each section in AlkimiHub. Your section instructor's office hours and office are posted in your Canvas course page.
• Email: mhollander@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Meridian Science Center 414
• Coordinator Office Hours:
  • Monday & Wednesday: 3:00–4:30 p.m. (In person, Meridian Science Center 414)
  • Tuesday: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Calculus-based mechanics for science and engineering majors: vectors, kinematics, Newton's laws, energy and momentum conservation, rotational dynamics, gravitation, and oscillations, with a weekly three-hour laboratory. PHYS 121 is the first course in the calculus-based introductory physics sequence for students majoring in physics, engineering, chemistry, and mathematics. The course develops rigorous analytical and vector methods to model mechanical phenomena, emphasizing differential and integral calculus in formulating physical laws. Key areas of investigation include translational and rotational kinematics and dynamics, work-energy principles, impulse and linear momentum conservation, systems of particles, rotational inertia, Newtonian gravitation, and harmonic oscillations.

Prerequisites

MATH 140 (prior or concurrent).

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of PHYS 121, students will be able to:

1. Analyze Kinematics Using Calculus: Differentiate and integrate vector equations of motion to describe position, velocity, and acceleration in one, two, and three dimensions.
2. Apply Newton's Laws with Differential Equations: Formulate and solve equations of motion for particles experiencing constant, time-dependent, velocity-dependent (drag), and position-dependent forces.
3. Apply Conservation of Energy and Momentum: Evaluate conservative force fields, potential energy functions, work-energy theorems, and systems of interacting particles via linear momentum conservation.
4. Analyze Rotational Dynamics and Angular Momentum: Compute moments of inertia using volume integration and parallel axis theorem, and solve coupled rotational-translational dynamic systems using torque and angular momentum conservation.
5. Evaluate Gravitational Fields and Orbital Mechanics: Apply Newton's law of universal gravitation and Kepler's laws to derive orbital trajectories, escape velocities, and gravitational potential energy.
6. Model Oscillatory Systems and Resonance: Derive and solve differential equations for simple harmonic oscillators, damped oscillators, and driven resonant systems.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Halliday, David, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker. Fundamentals of Physics. 12th ed., Wiley, 2021. Approx. $65 for digital access; approx. $140 for print purchase.
2. OpenStax University Physics, Volume 1. Free digital access at openstax.org. Free.
3. Scientific calculator with trigonometric functions (graphing calculators and phone apps prohibited on exams). Approx. $15 to $25.
4. Total estimated cost: $15 to $165.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), PHYS 121 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use Alkimi or other approved AI tools to review vector calculus concepts, generate practice integration problems for variable-force mechanics, and verify non-graded practice problems during study sessions.
• What is prohibited: You may not use AI tools to solve assigned weekly problem sets, generate lab notebook responses, or access any generative tools during quizzes, midterms, or the common final examination.
• Disclosure: For any homework or project where AI assistance was utilized for conceptual study, include an AI statement specifying the prompt, the platform used, and how you independently validated the physics.

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Exam 1: 15% (In class during week 5 (week of September 21))
• Midterm Exam 2: 15% (In class during week 10 (week of October 26))
• Weekly Problem Sets: 20% (Due Fridays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas (weeks 2–13; lowest dropped))
• Laboratory Investigations & Reports: 20% (Laboratory reports submitted in Canvas; sections meet weekly)
• Weekly Quizzes: 5% (Canvas pre-lecture quizzes due Tuesdays at 11:59 p.m.; lowest two dropped)
• Common Final Examination: 25% (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No extra credit assignments are offered in coordinated multi-section courses.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

All sections follow this common weekly schedule. Section meeting days vary, so dates are shown by week; your section instructor posts exact class dates in Canvas.

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Consistent attendance and active participation across lecture and laboratory meetings are essential for mastering calculus-based physics. If you must miss a class due to illness or sanctioned university travel, inform Dr. Hollander and your section instructor promptly. More than two unexcused lab absences results in an administrative failure. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Homework problem sets submitted within 24 hours of the Friday deadline receive a 20% deduction; no problem sets are accepted after 24 hours because detailed solutions are released. Pre-lecture quizzes close strictly at the deadline, though the two lowest quiz grades are dropped automatically.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.) is a common exam for all sections, scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).