AP Physics is a college-level, calculus-based physics course focusing on mechanics. Topics include one, two, and three-dimensional motion, dynamics, momentum, energy, rotational motion, and harmonic motion. Successful completion of Regents Physics is required, and completion of Pre-Calculus and current enrollment in AP Calculus are strongly encouraged. The class meets daily, with homework assigned each day. Grades are based on summative assessments, formative assessments, benchmark assessments, and lab reports. Students must sign and return the information sheet.

1. AP Physics Mr. Sawyer
AP Physics is a college level calculus based physics course that focuses entirely on mechanics. The range of
topics includes one, two and three dimensional motion, dynamics and force analysis, momentum, energy,
rotational motion and harmonic motion.
Pre requisite: successful completion of Regents Physics
Strongly encouraged: successful completion of Pre-Calc and current enrollment in AP Calculus
Students currently enrolled in Pre-Calc will require additional study as students are expected to know the basics
of derivatives and integrals.
The AP Physics test in May is considered by many to be (along with Calculus) the hardest AP exam and
colleges are becoming more and more resistant to giving college credit to anything less than a 5. While success
on the AP test is, of course, important, the greater value of the AP Physics course is being exposed to college
level physics at the high school level which will give a great advantage to students who choose to take physics
in college. It is also a credit to the student who decides, in his senior year, to take this difficult course as an
elective.
Class is conducted daily where the student is expected to attend and be prepared with notebook, scientific
calculator and pen. Homework is given and expected to be done the next day. Homework that is not done the
next day will receive a grade of zero.
Extra help is available both before and after school Monday through Friday.
If a student is absent, he or she is responsible for making arrangements to make up all work missed.
Grades are computed on the following basis:
Summative Assessments 50% (Chapter tests, quizzes, mini-quests)
Formative Assessments 20% (Homework)
Benchmark Assessment 10% (Unit tests, given once near the end of each marking period)
Lab Reports 20%
Mini-quests are 2 pt tasks that are easily attainable. Some may consist of a one question quiz given during a
lecture, having a calculator on a pre-announced day, signing this sheet and returning it.
I may be contacted at Albany High School at jsawyer@albany.k12.ny.us. Other info can be found at
www.sawdogfiziks.weebly.com which is a website that is still under construction but that will allow for
students to see what they’ve missed when absent.
Please sign this information sheet and return. I copy of it can be found on the website.
Student signature ______________________ Parent signature____________________________
Parents, if you would prefer to be contacted by e-mail, please supply your email address below.