Physics 221 Syllabus Fall 2003
Instructor: Catherine L. Jahncke
Office: 225 Bewkes
Phone: 229-5496
Office Hours: T-H 10-12
Text: Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Taylor and Zafiratos (Prentice Hall, 2004).
Course overview: This is a two semester course which studies the two major theories of physics developed in the 20th century: quantum mechanics and relativity. The first semester will be devoted to understanding these two theories, while the second semester will look more closely at some applications of these theories.
Course requirements: The requirements for this course will consist of homework assignments, three in class exams, the final exam, and the laboratory work. There will also be a report on a current topic in physics.
Homework: In general, homework will be assigned daily and collected at the beginning of the lecture two classes later. Late homework will not be accepted, however, the lowest three homework grades will be dropped. For full credit, you must show your work on homework problems! Most of the credit will be given for setting up the problem correctly. I expect to see more than just a correct answer--show your work! Solutions to the problems will be posted after the assignment has been completed.
Exams: There will be three exams given in class each covering the material completed before the exam. Questions on the exams will be similar to the homework and the material covered in your laboratory class. The final exam will be cumulative but will concentrate on the chapters that have not been tested. A total of four exams will be given.
Laboratory: The laboratory is required and there may be questions on the exam from the information covered in your lab. Your lab grade will be averaged in with your class grade as described below, however, failure to pass the lab will result in failure in the course.
Reports: There will be one article review (or report) due during the semester. The subject of these reports should be the discussion of a physics article published in the last 10 years. The reports do not need to be lengthy, as long as you can summarize the major points of the article in a clear and concise manner. In fact, picking two to four main points from the article is sufficient. These reports will be presented orally in pairs. The article you choose to present must be turned in one week prior to the report due date. The oral reports should be 10 to 15 minutes in length . You are strongly encouraged to use visual aids-handouts, blackboard, powerpoint, and web sources. Some journals that you may want to use as sources of articles to review include the following: Physics Today, Journal of Contemporary Physics or Scientific American. You may supplement your paper and discussion with information from the web (and are encouraged to do so), but the web should not be the source of the primary article. Your grade will be worth 5 homework assignments.
Grading: In class exams 3 at 10% each 30%
Homework 20%
Laboratory 25%
Final exam 25%
Other stuff: „Homework: Often the best ways to learn physics is by working problems. I encourage you to work problems besides the ones assigned as homework. Also, it is often helpful to work together, and I encourage you to do so. However, please attempt the problems yourself before looking to others for help--you will learn more this way. Do not copy one another's solutions!
„Office hours: My office hours are indicated above, but please feel free to look for me at any time during the day. I am usually around and always willing to answer your questions.
„Class participation: While participation in class is not a part of your formal grade, you are expected to attend class and your contribution to the class will be considered in determining your final grade.
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(This is schedule is a guideline for the course, but we may not follow it exactly.) |
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