Physics 211 – General Physics I Course Information
Homework There will be a homework assignment due every Wednesday at 5PM, starting Wednesday, January 25 (the first Wednesday of the semester). Answers to the odd-numbered problems can be found in the back of the book. I also sometimes work out solutions to the homework problems in class before the homework is due. You can in most cases get full credit for the homework if you submit your homework on time, show a reasonable attempt at solving the problem, and provide a correct answer. You are strongly encouraged to try really hard to do the problems on your own before looking up the solutions or asking for me or anyone else to solve the problems for you. Most people learn physics better by doing problems themselves than by watching the instructor do problems. Most exam and quiz questions will be similar to homework problems. Homework should be turned in to the Physics 211 homework box in the Physics Department Office (102 Natural Sciences Facility), or directly to me. There will be a quiz during the first 15-20 minutes of class every Friday, except for Fridays on which there is an hour exam. Quizzes will consist of problems similar to homework problems or to problems discussed in class. There will be no makeup quizzes. If you miss a quiz, the best way to make up for it is to do an extra credit assignment. Extra Credit You may do up to three extra credit projects, which can substitute for your lowest quiz scores, including quizzes that you missed. See me about choosing an extra credit project.
Midterm Exams There will be two midterm exams (2/24 and 4/7). Topics to be covered in each exam and the format of each exam will be discussed in lecture. Midterm exams will begin at the start of class and end at the end of class. You are responsible for getting to class on time and for turning in your exam at the end of class. Makeup exams will be provided only by prior arrangement or if unforeseen circumstances prevent you from taking the exam during the regular class period. Unless otherwise announced, no books, notes, or calculators may be used during quizzes or exams.
Lab and Lab Reports There is a lab associated with this course. All labs and lab reports must be completed to get a passing grade for this course. The last day to turn in lab reports is the last day of instruction (Friday, May 5). There are three lab sections: Section F03: Tuesday 2:15 – 5:15 p.m. Section F01: Wednesday 2:15 – 5:15 p.m. Section F02: Thursday 2:15 – 5:15 p.m.
See Mr. Robert Parsons about attending a lab section other than the one for which you are registered. If you do not have written permission, the teaching assistant will not permit you to attend the different lab section. There will be opportunities to do make up labs during the semester. Times and procedures for making up a lab will be announced in class. Other questions about the lab, including questions about the grading of lab reports, should be directed to the teaching assistant in charge of your lab, or to the laboratory supervisor, Mr. Robert Parsons (114 Natural Sciences Facility). Final Exam There will be a comprehensive final exam from 8AM-10AM on Wednesday, May 10 in the same location as the regular lecture. Blackboard I encourage you to check your Blackboard account for this class for course documents and announcements and to verify that I have entered your scores correctly. I will enter scores for quizzes, homework, labs, and exams as soon as they become available to me. Complaints and Concerns: You are always welcome to talk to me about anything or offer suggestions or constructive criticisms about any aspect of the class. If you have a question or concern that cannot be resolved by me contact the department chair, Dr. Craven, through the Physics Department Office, Room 102 Natural Sciences Facility. Disabilities Services: The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and insures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. I will work with the Office of Disabilities Services (203 WHIT, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. Plagiarism and cheating : Although you may work together on labs and homework, any materials that you submit for grading, and everything that you do on quizzes and exams, should be entirely your own work. You are expected to conduct yourselves in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, which prohibits cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty. For more information see the UAF catalog or http://www.uaf.edu/catalog/current/academics/regs3.html. General Advice (from Prof. Newman): Physics is not something you read and memorize; rather, it is something you learn how to do. Try the following study procedure: 1. Read the chapter prior to lecture, so that you will know what it's about 2. Listen carefully to the lecture and take notes 3. This is crucial: Do not go back and read and re-read the chapter until you "understand it." Rather, start working problems, going back through the chapter to clarify points as they come up. I suggest you try to answer all "Quick Quiz" problems in the text and the "Questions" at the end of the chapter. If you understand these, you've probably understood the salient points of the chapter. 4. Think! Don't simply try to fit the problems into the form of another problem; think through the problem first. For additional study suggestions, see http://godel.ph.utexas.edu/~larry/how/how.html. Tentative Class Schedule
Tentative Homework Assignments
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