Physics J153 & J153L Syllabus
Fall 2008
Professor in charge: Dr. E. R. Jones
PSC 507- tel. 803-777-6714
e-mail: rjones@physics.sc.edu
Welcome to PHYS J153 & J153L. I hope that you will find this course to be both
interesting and challenging. This is a course in optics and includes both light and
radiations that we cannot see. The course closely matches the class that has been given on campus
for the past several years. Each of the video lessons will include numerous demonstrations of optical
phenomena. If you approach the class in the proper
spirit and give it good effort you will find it to be quite rewarding. You will learn new things about
yourself, especially regarding visual perception, as well as things about the world around you.
Please note that even though the course is delivered via distance education it is not exactly a self-paced
class. You will not have the burden of regular class or laboratory meetings at specified times, but you will
be required to progress at a pace that matches what you would do for a regular class. It is similar to a
self-paced class in that you can get ahead of schedule if you wish. However, there will be closing dates for
the submission of homework and laboratory work for each lesson.
The text for the course is Light Science: Physics and the Visual Arts, by Tom
Rossing and Chris Chiaverina (Springer, New York, 1999). The textbook is available at the local textbook stores or on-line from
Amazon or other retailers. Used copies should be in stock. A schedule for fall 2008 is available.
Also, remember to check the PHYS J153 Home Page regularly.
It contains links to the lessons and lab exercises and the schedule as well as other useful links including updates and selected
notes.
The homework, lab reports, and tests will be handled through our LONCAPA software. You will need to enter your
USC network username (in lowercase) as found on VIP. Your password is your student number.
Access to the LONCAPA may be found on the home page of the USC Department
of Physics & Astronomy or directly from the LONCAPA
log-in page. Instruction on using the LONCAPA will be given in the mandatory first class meeting. You may
communicate with the Professor in charge using the communication feature of LONCAPA or directly via e-mail to
rjones@physics.sc.edu.
A detailed listing of the contents of the lab kit may be found by following this link. Identifying photos are also
available.
It is important to keep up with the pace of the class, both in reading the text, watching the lectures and
demonstrations, and in submitting the homework questions/problems.
Be sure that you are enrolled in the accompanying laboratory class PHYS 153L. It carries one additional
credit. The combined 153/153L will be treated much like a single four credit course. Consequently, the performance in the laboratory
portion (PHYS 153L)will affect the grade in PHYS 153. Usually, the same grade is assigned for both courses. However, if one part of
the course is significantly different from the other, they may receive different letter grades. Grading will be strictly on merit!
The grades will be derived from the factors below with the weighting shown:
| Homework | 30% |
| Laboratory work | 25% |
| Mid-term test | 20% |
| Final exam | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
The grade scale will be: A > 90 > B > 80 > C > 70 > D > 60 > F. Plus grades will be awarded as appropriate
Note: A passing grade on the final exam is expected for passing the
course.
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Maintained by: rjones@physics.sc.edu
Last Modified 06/13/08