Physics 2120: General Physics – Life Sciences II
Spring 2011
Instructor: James
T. Wheeler
Coordinates: jim.wheeler@usu.edu
SER 228
Office hours: By
appointment
Text: Physics, by Cutnell and Johnson, 7th
or 8th edition.
Laboratory
Manual, available
at the campus bookstore.
Subjects
treated:
á
Waves and Optics
á
Electricity, Magnetism and Special Relativity
á
Quantum Mechanics
Goals:
á
Understanding of the subjects treated at a level suitable
for general scientific literacy and/or preparation for more advanced science
courses.
á
Development of analytical and problem solving skills.
á
Understanding of the experimental nature of science in
general, of physics in particular, and the relationship between theory and
experiment.
Course
Components:
I will introduce, explain and demonstrate central ideas in
the lectures. Three mid-term Examinations also take place during lecture
periods. See Syllabus for more details. I encourage
questions. To gain maximum benefit from the lectures, read the text and do the
homework problems before and concurrent with the lectures.
In physics, we learn by doing. Thus, in many ways, the
homework is the most important component of the course. The degree of
proficiency you achieve with your homework will directly influence your
performance on quizzes and exams. DonÕt short-change it!
The recitation is designed to aid learning through problem
solving. The principal activity in the recitations is discussion of the
homework problems. Brief, weekly quizzes are also regularly scheduled in the
recitations. Recitations are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday. Normally
we will use one of these two days for a full recitation session, while the
other day also includes a brief quiz. See Recitation Schedule for details.
Physical concepts are only sound if they agree with
experiments. Therefore, the abstract ideas and mathematical theories of physics
are strongly constrained – they must correctly account for the results of
thousands of yearsÕ worth of careful experiments!
You will experience the experimental side of physics through
the laboratories, which are held almost weekly. Obtain your lab manual at the bookstore.
See the Lab Schedule for details.
Lab participation and completion will also be recorded and is part of your course grade.
All labs are expected to be
completed on time. A missed lab can be made up only DURING THE WEEK that it is
scheduled, during some other scheduled lab period that has an open slot. In
order to make up the lab you must obtain a note from the Physics Department
office (SER 250). This note will get you into another lab section that week
only.
Penalties for missed labs:
1 lab: No points deducted, but you are still responsible for
any exam questions pertaining to that lab.
2 labs: Your final grade in the course
will be lowered one full grade (for
example, B- becomes C-)
3 labs: YOU WILL FAIL THE COURSE.
Grading:
Homework: 20%
Quizzes: 15%
Exam 1: 15%
Exam 2: 15%
Exam 3: 15%
Total: 100%
Penalties for missed labs:
1 lab: No points deducted, but you are still responsible for
any exam questions pertaining to that lab.
2 labs: Your final grade in the course
will be lowered one full grade (for
example, B- becomes C-)
3 labs: YOU WILL FAIL THE COURSE.
Note:
á
Exams 1-3 cover the material indicated on the syllabus. The
Final Exam is part new material, part comprehensive.
á
If, because of an excused absence, you miss your regular
assigned laboratory, it may be possible attend one of the other sessions during
the same week. The labs are
taken down on Friday, so no later make-up is possible. Check with the Physics
Office for details.
á
In order to be fair to all the students, and in light of
limited resources, it is NOT usually possible to offer make-up quizzes
or exams.
á
Recitations will have their first meeting Thursday, August
28. The first Labs start the week beginning September 8.
á
Students must be officially registered for this
course. No assignments or tests of any kind will be graded for students
whose names do not appear on the class list.
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Students
with physical, sensory, emotional or medical impairments may be eligible for
reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All accommodations are
coordinated through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in Room 101 of the
University Inn, 797-2444 voice, 797-0740 TTY, or toll free at 1-800-259-2966.
Please contact the DRC as early in the semester as possible. Alternate format
materials (Braille, large print or digital) are available with advance
notice. |