Welcome to General Physics I

Physics 201, Section 501, Fall 2003

Printable pdf file of syllabus

Tentative course schedule, syllabus, and list of assignments:

Announcements:

 

Text: Contemporary College Physics by Edwin R. Jones and Richard L. Childers, Third Edition, WCB/McGraw-Hill ISBN: 0-8151-4328-1

The approximate goal will be to cover material from the first 15 chapters of the text. The text will not be followed exactly and some sections may be dropped or additional material outside the book covered. Also the style and treatment may be different from the book, so attendance at all classes is essential. If you do miss a class get notes from someone immediately—it may be difficult to learn the missed material just from reading the book. The quizzes, tests and final exam will be based on what is actually covered in class and the assigned homework.

Instead of CAPA there will be hand-graded quizzes and interactive recitation periods. Doing the assigned HW problems yourself and thoroughly understanding the procedure is essential. Each test will have at least one or two questions similar to an assigned one. The assignments are based on back-of-chapter questions and problems, and additional questions announced during class. Written solutions will be handed out, but look at these only after making a serious attempt yourself. For additional self study and problem solving practice, you may explore the book's web site or the CDROM that comes with the text.

The Wednesday afternoon recitation is like any of the other classes and is not a CAPA session. Attendance at this recitation is mandatory and quizzes will be given in all weeks except when there is a test. In that case the recitation time will be used to review for the test.

This course will emphasize gaining a conceptual understanding of physics and a qualitative feel for the topics. Accordingly the tests and quizzes will contain not only problems but also qualitative (essay type) of questions. However, the questions will not be open ended (like "What's your philosophy of life?").

Please don't hesitate to ask questions at any time - either in class or in my office.

Grades will be based on recitation quizzes (20%), 3 tests (50%), and a final exam (30%). Plus there is a 2% bonus for participation in classroom discussions. You are advised to save all course material (especially the graded tests that you get back) until the course has ended and a final letter grade has been assigned. Usually no quizzes or tests are dropped!

You will need to bring a scientific calculator for the quizzes, tests, and final. Graphing calculators, PDA’s, and other instruments with large memories are not allowed.

The following grades boundaries will serve as a guide:

0 £ F < 50 £ D < 56 £ D+ < 63 £ C < 70 £ C+ < 76 £ B < 83 £ B+ < 90 £ A £ 100

I may adjust these (in the favorable direction only) if the overall curve is much lower. Makeup exams will be given for exceptional situations such as valid medical excuses.

Homework assignments

Chapter	Questions (Q) and	Problems (P).
1	Q:	P: 49,54,61
2	Q: 4,8,9	P: 1,11,24,27,23,39,49,55,57,65
3	Q: 1,3,9,	P: 7,23,27,33,35,47
4	Q: 1,7,11	P: 1,4,7,13,23,31,33,39,43,51,57,61,83
5	Q: 7,13	P: 13,25,27,37,47,53
6	Q: 6,11	P: 3,13,15,17,23,25,29,33,35,43,49,57,59,67
7	Q: 1,4,6,8,11	P: 1,9,15,25,35,41,47
8	Q: 4,6,10	P: 13,23,33,43,61
9	Q: 2,13	P: 1,11,13,19,25,39,47,53,59,63
10	Q: 2,9	P: 5,11,13,19,37,39,41,47,49,55
11	Q: 1,5,13	P: 1,15,39,47,51,53,61
12	Q: 5,10	P: 3,5,7,11,15,17,23,35,37
13	Q: 3,7,9	P: 7,13,17,25,37,41,49
14	Q: 3,11	P: 3,7,15,23,31,45
15	Q: 2,5,11	P: 7,14,23,37,59,65

Dates for the tests and final

Test 1	Friday, 9/19/02	9:05—9:55AM
Test 2	Friday, 10/10/02	9:05—9:55AM
Test 3	Friday, 11/7/02	9:05—9:55AM
Final exam	Wednesday, 12/10/03	9:00 am

~ GOOD LUCK ~