Physics 136 is a 4 credit-hour, introductory physics course with laboratories for majors in mathematics, physics, computer science, and the physical sciences. The course is designed for asynchronous online delivery. Students do not attend formal lectures or lab sessions at fixed times, but they have to adhere to a strict course schedule. The class material is divided into 10 modules. For each module students are expected to submit assignments and lab reports online on time. For class participation credit students must contribute questions, answers, hints, or comments to a discussion forum. Optional extra credit assignments associated with each module must also be submitted on time.
Physics 136 is a general education course. The course uses online class modules, a textbook, and a workbook. Please allow enough time in your schedule for this 4 credit-hour course.
Dr. Marianne Breinig (Physics)
Office: 202 Nielsen Physics Bldg.
Office Hours: MW 2 pm - 3 pm and online by appointment
Phone: (865) 974-7842
Email: mbreinig@utk.edu
Name: Hannah Garrett
Email: hgarret4@vols.utk.edu
The lab instructor will have online office hours. There are also in-person tutors available in the Department of Physics tutoring center.
There are no formal lectures.
Students are expected to complete the online class modules on time. Each
module consists of two or three sets of online class materials that student are required
to study, two or three homework assignments, one laboratory write-up, a class participation
discussion forum, and optional extra credit opportunities.
All assignments for each module must be completed by the
date shown on the schedule.
Links for the submission of all assignments are on Canvas. Students should
use the online discussion forum to engage with the instructors and each other.
Students are responsible for their own learning.
"University Physics is a free online textbook by OpenStax College (https://cnx.org/).
The link to the HTML version is
https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/preface (Volume 1)
https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/preface (Volume 2)
https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-3/pages/preface (Volume 3)
A PDF copy of the book can be downloaded from the OpenStax website.
A link to the workbook is on Canvas under Modules.
Homework assignments are based on the material covered in the online modules. They are found under Assignments on Canvas and must be submitted on time.
The lab instructor will help students with the laboratories and grade the lab reports. Students cannot earn passing grade for the course, unless they earn a passing grade for the labs.
Students earn class participation credit by contributing questions, answers, hints, comments, etc to the Canvas discussion forum.
There will be two 90-minute exams, one on March 21 and one during the final exam period on May 11. The exams are online. Exam 1 questions are about material covered in modules 1 - 5, and exam 2 questions are about material covered in modules 6 - 10. Students will take the tests online using the Chrome browser with the Proctorio extension during any 90 minute period between 7:00 am and 11:30 pm on the test day.
Up to 50 points extra credit will be available from answering extra credit questions on Canvas.
Each exam is worth a maximum of 100 points. The homework assignments are worth a maximum of 100 points and the lab reports are also worth a maximum of 100 points. Extra credit points are added to the total score from tests, homework assignments, and laboratories.
| 450 and above | 90% and above | A |
| 435-449 | 87% - 89% | A- |
| 415-434 | 83% - 86% | B+ |
| 400-414 | 80% - 82% | B |
| 385-399 | 77% - 79% | B- |
| 365-384 | 73% - 76% | C+ |
| 350-364 | 70% - 72% | C |
| 335-349 | 67% - 69% | C- |
| 315-334 | 63% - 66% | D+ |
| 300-314 | 60% - 62% | D |
| 285-299 | 57% - 59% | D- |
Students must notify the instructor promptly and submit documentation if they miss an assignment or lab with a valid excuse and request an extension. Late notifications will not be accepted.
In Canvas, please go to "Account", "Notifications", and set your notification preferences so that you receive announcements notifications and conversations immediately. Review the announcements in Canvas regularly.
If you need course adaptations or accommodations please let me know how I can
help you.
If you have a documented
disability, please contact Student Disability Services (SDS). This will
ensure that you are properly registered for the services provided by SDS.
Please review the Campus Syllabus for information that is common across all courses at UT.