Physics 2220
Fall
2008
Instructor: James T. Wheeler
Coordinates: jwheeler@cc.usu.edu
SER
228
797-3349
Office
hours: By appointment
Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers
(with modern physics): A Strategic Approach, 1st Edition, by Randall Knight. The two recent versions of the text are equivalent, but the five-volume
set is most convenient. However, this fall 2008 course of 2220 is the only
place where the 1st edition will be used.
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/engineering 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. DonŐt short-change the homework. Your understanding of physics (and your grade) depend upon it!
The homework problems are online at the publisherŐs website. See Homework for instructions for accessing the website.
The recitation is designed to aid learning through problem solving. The principal activity in the recitations is discussion of the homework and exam problems. Brief 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 yearsŐ worth of careful experiments.
You will experience the experimental side of physics through the laboratories, which are held almost weekly. You are required to attend all of the labs. If you miss 3 or more labs you will fail the entire course. There is a 3% reduction in your overall course grade for one lab missed; 15% reduction for two labs missed.
See the Lab Schedule for details.
Obtain your lab manual at the bookstore. This manual contains an attendance sheet. The attendance sheet must be signed by the lab instructor at each lab meeting. You keep the attendance sheet with you for the whole semester. The completed attendance sheet is turned in to me after the last lab.
Lab Fee: A lab fee has been assessed for this course to
pay for lab materials. It should
have been paid at registration.
Grading: 2220
Homework: 20%
Quizzes: 15%
Exam 1: 15%
Exam 2: 15%
Exam 3: 15%
Total: 100%
Laboratory: 3% off total for one lab missed
15% off total for two labs missed
Fail course if you miss 3 or more labs
Fee:
There is a $30 lab fee for this class, which covers maintenance, supplies, and set-up labor costs for the labs. (N.B. Some scholarships will not pay for this fee, even though they pay full tuition costs. Scholarship students have been dropped form the class without notice for not paying the fee!)
Note:
á Exams 1-3 cover the material indicated on the syllabus. The Final Exam is part new material, part comprehensive.
á In order to be fair to all the students, and in light of limited resources, it is NOT normally possible to offer make-up quizzes, exams or laboratories. If you cannot attend your assigned laboratory, it may be possible to attend one of the other sessions during the same week. Check with the Physics Office for details.
á
Recitations will have their first meeting Thursday,
August 30. The first Labs start the week beginning September 10.
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.
|
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. |