of quantitative problem solving with an emphasis on the physical .... 3,000 Solved
Problems in Physics (Schaum's Solved Problems) by Alvin Halpern, ISBN ...
Phys 2211 - Principles of Physics I Autumn 2010
Instructor Jeff Secrest Department of Chemistry and Physics College of Science and Technology Science Center Office: 2013 Tel: +1 912 344 2518
[email protected]
Course Information Place: Office Hours: Textbook:
2402 M/W 10:00-11:00am and any time, by appointment Halliday, Resnick & Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 7th Edition, ISBN 0-471-42959-7
General information: This course is primarily focused on covering classical mechanics and the principles of quantitative problem solving with an emphasis on the physical interpretation of mathematical solutions. The topics include kinematics, Newtonian dynamics, conservation laws, and systems of particles. It is expected that the students have a working knowledge of algebra, trigonometry, and derivative calculus (calculus I is a pre-requisite for this course). This course covers chapters 1-14 of Halliday, Resnick & Walker’s Fundamentals of Physics. How the class works: You will get the most out of the class by reading the material I suggest before the next class. Even if you do not understand the material upon first reading it, it will help. I believe in a “Socratic” method of education. This means that besides the typical derivations and problem solving in the classroom, there will be a great deal of guided discussion between me and individuals in the class. These discussions will include everyone and participation will be required. I ask questions not to make anyone look silly or feel bad about themselves, but to make you think. Office hours: Monday and Wednesday: 10:00-11:00am. If these hours are inconvenient, you can schedule by appointment (best communicated via e-mail) for some other time. Feel free to drop by at non-office hour times too. If I am available, I will be more then happy to discuss the material, help with homework problems, etc. Grading: There will be two exams and a final. There will be a homework assignment for each topic with the lowest home work grade will be dropped. There will be a quiz on each topic and the lowest quiz grade will be dropped. The homework will be worth (in total) 33.33 points, the labs will total 33.33 points,the quizzes will be worth 33.33 points, the two mid terms will be worth 100 points each, and the final will be worth 200 points. This yields a total of 500 points available for the semester. You must acquire 250 points to pass the course. The course will be curved for scores above 250 points. Homework: It is important to work as many problems as possible. Physics is not a passive subject, you must do it in order to learn it. That means working solving problems. I will assign a number of problems for each week to be graded (these problems are given at the end of this syllabus). It is important to show your work in order to be graded. Showing your work allows me to get a better understanding of how you worked the problem. If you simply write down a numerical solution, I will not know where you went wrong in the problem solving process. Show your work! You are encouraged to work with your fellow students. Talking about problems and solutions with your peers is indispensable in the learning process. With that said, do not simply copy the homework.
If you simply copy the homework you will not learn the material and you will do poorly on the exams (which are worth the bulk of your grade). Tentative exam dates: There will be two midterms and a final. First exam: the week of September 27, in class. Second exam: the week of November 15, in class. Final exam: TBA , finals week. All exams are closed book, closed note, and no calculators will be allowed. The final exam will be a comprehensive exam covering all the material from the semester. Missing an exam will result in the grade of zero without a valid excuse. I reserve the right to determine what is and what is not a valid excuse. As a rule, only extreme situations such as serious medical problems or a death in the family will count as a valid excuse. In these extreme situations, a missed exam may be made up at another date. Getting help: If you need help, I am available during my office hours. I am also available by appointment. You can also try dropping by and if I am not busy I will help you. You can send me an e-mail and arrange for an appointment. You may also work together in groups on the homework. This is encouraged. You must still do your own work. You do not learn physics by copying someone else’s work. If you copy someone else work, you might do well on the homework, but you will not do well on the exams. Academic dishonesty: Academic dishonesty of any type is not allowed. If detected, cheating on homework will result in a grade of zero for that assignment. Cheating on exams will result in a zero on the exam, possibly the whole course, and might even result in the possible suspension from the University. Cheating will not be tolerated. There is an AASU Honour Code. Students with disabilities: If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both myself and Mrs. Kelly Woodruff, the coordinator of disability services at 912-344-2744 in Room 207C at the Memorial College Center. Miscellaneous: Please turn off your cell phone before coming to class. The way you will learn to do physics (and thus succeed in this course) will be to think about physics and work problems. There are a wealth of books with problems and solutions that you may wish to work through. Here are a few of the more popular books: • Physics with Answers: 500 Problems and Solutions by Andrew R. King and Oded Regev, ISBN 0521483697 • How to Solve Physics Problems by Robert Oman, ISBN 0070481660 • 3,000 Solved Problems in Physics (Schaum’s Solved Problems) by Alvin Halpern, ISBN 0070257345. Labs: Labs are integrated into the lecture class. I for see about one lab per week. You will have the chance to drop your worst grade of the labs. You will take your data in class and perform some of the basic calculations while here. You will write up a lab report outside of class and return it one week later. Appealing a Grade: I give partial credit for partial work that has been done. If you feel you did not receive the proper grade for an exam, lab report, or homework, then you may wish to appeal your grade. Appealing your grade requires you to submit in writing what you felt was misgraded along
with the exam, lab report, or homework. You must wait one week and submit these documents to my mail box in the Department of Chemistry and Physics Office. I will be happy to regrade your exam, lab report, or homework. Beware that regrading might keep your score the same, reduce the number of points, or increase the number of points asked for in the appeal. Disclaimer This syllabus could change at anytime. Its simply an outline of how this class will run at this time. Things may change!
