PHY 317K GENERAL PHYSICS I
Fall 2025
Section unique 61725, 61730, 61735, 61740
Schedule: MWF 11:00 a.m.-noon, PAI 2.48
Instructor: John Yeazell, Office: PMA 14.210 Please message me through Canvas or email:
jyeazell@[Link] Please include PHY317K on the subject line. Please email me if you fall ill
or have other needs (don’t wait for office hours).
Instructor's Office Hours: Regular office hours will be held on Zoom on Tuesday 3PM or email for
an appointment. The link to the Zoom office hours can be found on Canvas under the Zoom link.
Enrollment issues: Contact Melva Harbin at ugaffairs@[Link], PMA 5.216, 512-471-8856.
Grad TA: TBA
TA’s Office hours (on Zoom): TBA
Required TA sessions: These sessions are on Wednesdays and will start on Sept. 3rd. They will
be held in 5.116. Times are set by your section.
Text: OpenStax University Physics by Samuel J. Ling et al. vol. 1 and vol. 2 available at
[Link] Digital versions are free. The readings from this text, indicated in
the schedule at the end of this syllabus, are meant to prepare you for the lecture.
Course Description: PHY 317K is the first in a sequence of a calculus-based technical courses for
students who need to fulfill a general physics requirement. This course may be used to fulfill three hours of
the natural science and technology (Part I or Part II) component of the university core curriculum and
addresses the following four core objectives established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board: communication skills, critical think skills, teamwork and empirical and quantitative skills. It serves
as an introduction to how things move (Mechanics), sound, fluids, and thermodynamics. You will gain an
understanding and appreciation of how the scientific method is used to reveal the fundamental principles
by which the universe operates, and will observe how knowledge of these principles is applied to the
invention of new technologies and has helped shape the modern world. The course does require critical
thinking. Problems are posed and students must identify the appropriate information from the text, lectures,
or other sources, then analyze this information to find what is necessary for solving the posed problem.
Although this is large lecture course, students will be asked to work in small groups or teams on conceptual
problems and then communicate their group’s results and their reasoning to the class as a whole. This form
of peer instruction allows a student to teach what they understand and learn from others in the group on
areas where they are less certain. The lectures describe theories of how objects move, how fluids behave,
how heat flows, and the motion of waves that have been verified by centuries of quantitative measurement.
Students are required to apply these quantitative methods in their homework assignments and exams. See
Lesson Plan at the end of this syllabus.
Meets core curriculum requirement for Natural Science.
Prerequisites: Credit with a grade of at least C- in Mathematics 408C or 408R; or credit with a grade of
at least C- in 408K or 408N and registration for 408L or 408S; and credit with a grade of at least C- or
registration for Physics 117M or 105M
Quest
This course makes use an online system, the web-based Quest content delivery and homework server
system maintained by the College of Natural Sciences. This homework service will require a $30 charge
per student for its use, which goes toward the maintenance and operation of the resource.
Please go to [Link] to log in to the Quest system for this class. At some point during
the second or third week, when you log into Quest, you will be asked to pay via credit card on a secure
payment site. You have the option to wait up to 15 days to pay while still continuing to use Quest for your
assignments. If you are taking more than one course using Quest, you will not be charged more than
$60/semester. Quest provides mandatory instructional material for this course, just as is your textbook,
etc. For payment questions, email [Link]@[Link].
• Your quest account has been auto-created for you through Registrar/Quest interface. It is
identified by your unique number. For a student newly transferred into this class it could take up
to a 24hr delay to auto-create the new Quest account. During the semester this account keeps
track of all of your record. Read FAQ to get you started.
Lectures: There are 3 Classes per week. This course emphasizes active engagement in problem-solving
over lecturing so you are expected to have read the assigned material and have some understanding of the
material before coming to class. Classes will consist of mini-lectures and problem solving. IT IS
ESSENTIAL THAT YOU READ THE ASSIGNED MATERIAL BEFORE EACH LECTURE!
If you miss a lecture due to illness, etc., or wish to review a topic please watch the asynchronous version
on Canvas under the link in the lefthand column to Lectures Online. Also, the lecture slides are uploaded
to the Canvas File “Lectures”.
Lecture Quizzes: There will be in-class quizzes daily using Instapoll. The score on the quiz is based
90% on participation.
No make-up quizzes will be given. However, there are 3 free drops (3 lowest grades dropped). If you
have a documented absence, the grade for the missed quiz will be dropped. Examples of documented
absences are sickness, family emergency, or absence for UT activity documented by a physician’s note or
emergency letter from the Dean’s office.
Homeworks: There will be approximately weekly homework assignments. These Homework
Assignments will be posted on the Quest-system at [Link] at least one week prior to
the due date. The due date on Quest is the official deadline. Submit your homework using the same
website. If you are registered for this course, you'll find it listed as PHY302K after you log into Quest.
You are encouraged to discuss homework with anyone you wish and to work in groups. The lowest two
homeworks will be dropped. There are no makeups for missed assignments (check the due dates
carefully).
Midterm Exams: Three exams will be given online on Quest (see dates on Class Schedule at the end
of this syllabus). It is highly recommended that you create a formula sheet for use during the exam.
The content of the exams will be derived primarily from the Homework Problems.
Make-up midterm exams: No make-up for exams will be given. In the case of a documented
absence, the grade on a missed midterm will be calculated from the relevant questions on the final exam.
Examples of documented absences are a sickness or a family emergency that is documented by a
physician’s note or a letter from the Dean’s office.
See Lesson Plan at the end of this syllabus for Midterm exam dates.
Final Exam: The Final exam is comprehensive and mandatory. See Lesson Plan at the end of this
syllabus for Final exam date and time. The final exam will be online on Quest at the time set by the
registrar.
Grades
Grades for the class will NOT be curved and the following bounds will be used to assign letter grades:
A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F
90- 85-89 81-84 78-80 75-77 71-74 68-70 65-67 61-64 58-60 55-57 Below
100 55
The following example shows how rounding will be handled: 84.499 is the same as 84, while 84.500 is
the same as 85. No exceptions.
Point Distribution
Homework 30% (2 lowest dropped)
Lecture Quizzes 10% (3 lowest dropped)
Discussion Session 10% (2 lowest dropped)
Midterm Exams 20%
Final Exam 30%
Total Score 100%
Student Rights and Responsibilities:
You have a right to a learning environment that supports mental and physical wellness.
• You have a right to respect.
• You have a right to be assessed and graded fairly.
• You have a right to freedom of opinion and expression.
• You have a right to privacy and confidentiality.
• You have a right to meaningful and equal participation, to self-organize groups to improve your
learning environment.
• You have a right to learn in an environment that is welcoming to all people. No student shall
be isolated, excluded or diminished in any way.
With these rights come responsibilities:
• You are responsible for taking care of yourself, managing your time, and communicating with
the teaching team and with others if things start to feel out of control or overwhelming.
• You are responsible for acting in a way that is worthy of respect and always respectful of others.
Your experience with this course is directly related to the quality of the energy that you bring to
it, and your energy shapes the quality of your peers' experiences.
• You are responsible for creating an inclusive environment and for speaking up when someone is
excluded.
• You are responsible for holding yourself accountable to these standards, holding each other to
these standards, and holding the teaching team accountable as well.
Statement on Learning Success: Your success in this class is important to me. We all need
accommodations because we all learn differently. If there are aspects of this course that prevent you
from learning or exclude you, please let me know as soon as possible. Together we will develop
strategies to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. I also encourage you to reach
out to the student resources available through UT. Many are listed on this syllabus, but I am happy to
connect you with a person or Center if you would like.
Services for Students with Disabilities: This class respects and welcomes students of all
backgrounds, identities, and abilities. If there are circumstances that make our learning environment
and activities difficult, if you have medical information that you need to share with me, or if you need
specific arrangements in case the building needs to be evacuated, please let me know. I am committed
to creating an effective learning environment for all students, but I can only do so if you discuss your
needs with me as early as possible. I promise to maintain the confidentiality of these discussions. If
appropriate, also contact Services for Students with Disabilities , 512-471-6259(voice) or 1-866-329-
3986(videophone).
Counseling and Mental Health Center: Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by
eating well, exercising, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax.
This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress. All of us benefit from support during times of
struggle. You are not alone. There are many helpful resources available on campus and an important
part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Asking for support sooner rather than later
is often helpful. If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or
feelings like anxiety or depression, we strongly encourage you to seek support.
The Sanger Learning Center: Did you know that more than one-third of UT undergraduate students
use the Sanger Learning Center each year to improve their academic performance? All students are
welcome to take advantage of Sanger Center’s classes and workshops, private learning specialist
appointments, peer academic coaching, and tutoring for more than 70 courses in 15 different subject
areas. For more information, google Sanger Learning Center or call 512-471-3614 (JES A332).
Important Safety Information: If you have concerns about the safety or behavior of fellow students,
TAs or Professors, call BCAL (the Behavior Concerns Advice Line): 512-232-5050. Your call can be
anonymous. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Trust your instincts and share your
concerns.
Title IX Reporting: Title IX is a federal law that protects against sex and gender-based discrimination,
sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence and stalking at federally
funded educational institutions. UT Austin is committed to fostering a learning and working
environment free from discrimination in all its forms. When sexual misconduct occurs in our community,
the university can:
• Intervene to prevent harmful behavior from continuing or escalating.
• Provide support and remedies to students and employees who have experienced harm or have
become involved in a Title IX investigation.
• Investigate and discipline violations of the university's relevant policies. Faculty members and
certain staff members are considered “Responsible Employees" or “Mandatory Reporters,"
which means that they are required to report violations of Title IX to the Title IX Coordinator.
I am a Responsible Employee and must report any Title IX related incidents that are disclosed in writing,
discussion, or one-on-one. Before talking with me, or with any faculty or staff member about a Title IX
related incident, be sure to ask whether they are a responsible employee. If you want to speak with
someone for support or remedies without making an official report to the university, email:
advocate@[Link]. For more information about reporting options and resources, visit the
Title IX Office or contact the Title IX Office at titleix@[Link].
Religious Holy Days: By UT Austin Policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least
fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you miss a class, an examination
or a homework in order to observe a religious holy day, I will give you an opportunity to complete the
missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. What does that mean?
UT Honor Code [Link]
Day Date Lecture Topic Readings in OpenStax
M 8/25 1 Introduction; Math Review Chapter 1
W 8/27 2 1D Motion Chap. 3.1-4
F 8/29 3 1D Motion Chap. 3.5-6
M 9/01 -- Labor Day holiday (no class)
W 9/03 4 Vectors Chap. 2.1-4
F 9/05 5 2D Motion Chap. 4.1-2
M 9/08 6 2D Motion Chap. 4.3-5
W 9/10 7 Newton’s Laws Chap. 5.1-3
F 9/12 8 Forces Chap. 5.4-7
M 9/15 9 Applications of Newton’s Laws Chap. 6.1-2
W 9/17 10 Applications of Newton’s Laws Chap. 6.3-4
F 9/19 11 Work Chap. 7.1-2
M 9/22 Midterm Review; Q&A
Tu 9/23 Midterm 1: HW1-3; Online on Quest
W 9/24 12 Kinetic Energy, Power Chap. 7.3-4
F 9/26 13 Potential Energy Chap. 8.1-2
M 9/29 14 Conservation of Energy Chap. 8.3-5
W 10/01 15 Linear momentum Chap. 9.1-2
F 10/03 16 Impulse and collisions Chap. 9.3-5
M 10/06 17 Center of Mass Chap. 9.6-7
W 10/08 18 Angular Motion Chap. 10.1
F 10/10 19 Angular Kinematics Chaps. 10.2
M 10/13 20 Uniform Rotational Motion Chap. 10.3-5
W 10/15 21 Torque Chap 10.6
F 10/17 22 Angular Acceleration Chap. 10.7
M 10/20 Midterm Review; Q&A
Tu 10/21 Midterm 2: HW4-6; Online on Quest
W 10/22 23 Rotational Energy Chap. 10.8
F 10/24 24 Angular Momentum Chap. 11.1-2
M 10/27 25 Angular Momentum Chap. 11.3-11.4
W 10/29 26 Static Equilibrium, elasticity Chap. 12.1-12.4
F 10/31 27 Gravity Chap. 13.1-4
M 11/03 28 Static Fluids Chap. 14.1-4
W 11/05 29 Flowing Fluids Chap. 14.5-7
F 11/07 30 Oscillating Systems Chap. 15.1-6
M 11/10 31 Waves Chap. 16.1-6
W 11/12 32 Sound , Intensity, Harmonics Chap. 17.1-4
F 11/14 33 Doppler Effect Chap. 17.5-7
M 11/17 Midterm Review; Q&A
Tu 11/18 Midterm 3: HW7-10
W 11/19 34 Temperature Vol. 2 Chap. 1.1-2
F 11/21 35 Ideal Gas Vol. 2 Chap. 2.1-2
M 11/24 Fall/Thanksgiving Break
W 11/26 Fall/Thanksgiving Break
F 11/28 Fall/Thanksgiving Break
M 12/01 36 Heat Calorimetry, Energy Transfer Vol. 2 Chap. 1.4-6
W 12/03 37 Thermodynamics Vol. 2 Chap. 3.1-6
F 12/05 38 Heat Engines Vol. 2 Chap 4.1-3
M 12/08 39 Entropy Vol. 2 Chap. 4.4-7
Final is comprehensive and covers all homeworks: Thursday, December 11, 3:30 pm-5:30 pm
