NYU How Things Work Course Overview
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Powered by AIExams in the "How Things Work" course include two midterms and a cumulative final exam, each structured in a multiple-choice format with a provided formula sheet . These assessments cover content areas such as physics principles underlying devices and phenomena discussed in lectures and labs, directly aligning with the course’s learning goals of understanding basic physics through practical applications . The exams are strategically scheduled after periods of reinforced learning, such as homework and participation activities, ensuring aligned progression towards course objectives .
The key learning objectives of the "How Things Work" course include familiarizing non-science students with basic physics principles through their applications to everyday devices and phenomena, enhancing understanding of the physical world, and fostering appreciation of common phenomenons like electricity, music creation, and color generation. The course structure supports these objectives by combining lectures, labs, and assessments that align with topics such as electricity generation, musical instruments, and how visual displays work . The lectures present material to complement labs, where hands-on experiments enable practical learning. Participation and engagement are encouraged through in-class questions using Poll Everywhere .
Assessment and participation policies promote active learning by integrating quizzes, lab reports, and participation through Poll Everywhere . Each component encourages engagement with material both inside and outside formal class settings. Participation accounts for 5% of the grade, underscoring the value of active engagement in lectures. Labs and homework combined make up 40%, emphasizing applied learning and comprehension. These structures foster a learning environment where students cannot passively absorb information but must interact with and apply concepts collaboratively and independently .
The textbook "How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday Life" serves as a primary resource, outlining the fundamental physics concepts applied to everyday devices and phenomena . Students are expected to read assigned sections before lectures to facilitate understanding and participation. Additionally, the textbook content is integrated with laboratory and lecture discussions, serving as a foundation for homework assignments and exams. This structured use of the textbook ensures coherence in learning and provides a comprehensive understanding of course themes .
Homework and lab report deadlines are strictly enforced, with diminishing credit for late submissions: 75% credit if up to one week late, 50% if up to two weeks late, and zero credit beyond that . This policy instills a sense of accountability as students must manage their time effectively to meet deadlines. It encourages students to engage with the material promptly, which is crucial for continuous learning and skill acquisition. The policy ensures consistent progress in the course, thereby enhancing learning outcomes by reinforcing timely engagement with course content .
Student engagement is encouraged through the use of Poll Everywhere during lectures. This platform allows students to respond to in-class questions, creating an interactive environment . Participation is assessed by the responses provided through Poll Everywhere and feedback from TAs, which together account for 5% of the overall course grade. This setup ensures that students maintain active involvement in the learning process, promoting engagement and deeper understanding .
The laboratory component is weighted at 25%, reflecting its significance in reinforcing theoretical knowledge with practical experience . Homework is weighted at 15%, underscoring its role in continuous learning and comprehension of course material . Together, these components encourage students to apply concepts learned in lectures to solve problems and engage in hands-on activities, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of physics principles in everyday life. This weighting emphasizes the importance of both independent study and collaborative exploration in the student learning process .
The course accommodates valid absences by offering specific remedies such as setting the midterm exam grade equal to the final exam grade if excused . In labs, students can receive a one-week extension for the past week's lab report if their absence is excused, but no make-up labs are provided . These methods ensure that students with legitimate reasons are not unduly penalized, maintaining fairness without compromising academic standards. This balance helps in managing student needs while upholding course integrity and continuity .
Missing multiple labs, excused or unexcused, can result in receiving an incomplete for the course. For each lab session missed without a valid excuse, students receive a grade of zero . If an absence is excused, students are exempt from the missed experiment but must submit the previous week's lab report with a one-week extension. However, no make-up labs are provided, emphasizing the importance of consistent attendance .
The course provides students with a laboratory manual available at the NYU bookstore, and requires them to read instructions before attending labs. Preparation is reinforced by a short lab quiz administered via Brightspace, which encourages pre-lab reading . The course policy mandates submission of individual lab reports, fostering accountability and understanding. Quizzes help gauge readiness, and student performance influences lab report grades, ensuring adequate preparation for lab experiments .