Physics 1120 Syllabus, Spring 2010.
Prof. Heather Lewandowski and Prof. Alysia Marino
| Lectures: | MWF 10 A.M (Section 200) MWF 12 P.M. (Section 100) Both in Duane G-1B30 |
| Recitations: | Tuesdays in Duane basement rooms; see the section schedule. (There are two Tutorial spaces and you are assigned to attend one of them. ) |
| Prof. Lewandowski's office: | JILA A-600 (in the JILA office tower, sixth floor) |
| Office hrs: | Tuesday 2-3:45 PM in JILA A600, and in Help Room (G2B87), or by app't at other times |
| e-mail: | Heather.Lewandowski at Colorado.edu |
| Prof. Marino's office: | Duane F-419(in the Duane physics tower, fourth floor) |
| Office hrs: | Available in Help Room (G2B87) or by app't at other times |
| Alysia.Marino at Colorado.edu |
Web page www.colorado.edu/physics/phys1120 You're there...(check in often!)
Learning Goals:
Phys1120 is the 2nd semester of introductory physics. We emphasize conceptual
understanding and problem solving skills. We cover electricity, circuits,
magnetism, electromagnetic waves, light, and optics: the foundations of our
modern technological society. Our goals are for you to continue developing
knowledge and intuition about how the world works, to learn to approach,
solve, and understand physics problems on both qualitative and quantitative
levels, to relate classroom physics to the real world you live in, and to
develop a deeper appreciation of the scientific method.
Most of the material we will cover this semester involves discoveries no
more than 150 years old. (Of course, even the ancients knew some things
about magnetism and light). We are so comfortable with technologies like
television and computers, that it is easy to forget just how recent these
developments are: some of you may have relatives old enough to remember the
days before radio (the first licensed broadcast station opened in 1920). We
live radically more convenient and perhaps longer and more enjoyable lives
due to the revolution in electric-based technology. Modern health-care,
industrial, and home tools are almost entirely based upon the existence of
electrical power and electronic circuitry.
By the end of this course,
you should have a base of knowledge that will allow you to
better understand how many modern electronic instruments work.
Pre/Corequisites:
Calc II (MATH 2300/APPM 1360) must be taken at least in parallel. You
should have a strong working knowledge of algebra, trig, Calc I, and
Phys1110. Phys 1140 lab is highly recommended. Enthusiasm,
curiosity, and an open mind will also be helpful!
The required textbooks
1) "Richard Wolfson's Essential University Physics, Volume 2 ", (Chs. 20-32) This is the second volume of the book used in Physics 1110 this past fall. We strongly recommend that you keep Volume 1 handy for this course, since the concepts from Physics 1110 still apply here. We have ordered a special CU edition. If you have the regular edition that is OK.
2) "Tutorials in Introductory Physics", McDermott. This 2-volume set is required for use in our recitations. (You must bring the tutorial book every Tuesday, you'll be working out of them!)
These are the same books that were used for Physics 1110 last fall, so you likely already own them. Please note that they have changed the color of Tutorial Homework book to maroon this year, but the content is the same. So last semester's dark blue book is OK.
3) iClickers Please register your clicker at CUConnect during the first week of classes.
READ ASSIGNED CHAPTERS BEFORE WE COVER THEM IN CLASS and go to lecture knowing what you understand and don't understand so that you can ask questions while we're still on the topic. The purpose of lecture is to clarify your understanding, to help you make sense of the material. If you don't read in advance, lectures will be much less useful to you. (Imagine going to a class on Shakespeare without doing the readings - the prof is not going to read the plays for you!) I will assume you have done the required readings in advance! We'll cover roughly one chapter/week, starting with Ch. 20.
Pre-Lectures You will have periodic interactive pre-lectures to watch. Completion (completion=100% complete) of these pre-Lectures before the deadlines will count towards your grade. You will be able to replay the pre-lectures throughout the semester.
CAPA (an internet based homework system: Computer Assisted Physics Assignments ) You will receive a weekly printed personalized homework assignment. Each student's assignment is slightly different. You log onto CAPA via the web to "hand in" your answers. Work out your solutions on paper before you log on. The advantage is that you will have instant feedback on how well you are doing and will have opportunities to change wrong answers without penalty. (You will get multiple tries, generally 6, on each problem, with no points taken off for wrong answers. If you get it wrong all 6 times, that particular problem is "closed out" but you can still work on others. You can log off and come back later any time, there is no time limit or penalty except for the final deadline) New homework assignments will appear online. You need a 4 digit "pin" to sign on (different each week!), but you can have the system email this pin to you (go to the CAPA login page, there's a link there). Or, just pick up your personal hard copy in the 1120 bins in the basement. Homework will be due Fri nights at 10PM (Late hw"s will not be accepted by CAPA.)
Etiquette: Please turn off all cell phones, laptops, pagers, etc. when entering any classroom. It is perfectly OK to interrupt the lecture by yelling "Question!!". Questions in lecture are always good! We encourage collaborative teamwork on homework and tutorials, an essential skill in science and engineering (and highly valued by employers!) Scientists and engineers work in groups as well as
alone. Social interactions are critical to scientists' success - most good ideas grow out of discussions with colleagues. As you study together, try to help your partners get over confusions, ask each other questions, critique hw and tutorial write-ups. Teach each other. You will learn a lot!
Note: While collaboration is the rule in technical work, evaluations of individuals also play an important role. Exams will be done without help from others. For all assignments, the work you turn in must in the end be your own: in your own words, reflecting your own understanding.
Recitations/tutorials: This is a chance to work in a smaller setting with fellow students and trained teaching/learning assistants. Tutorials are designed to enhance your understanding of key principles dealt with in the class. You will hand in "tutorial homeworks", and work through worksheets in small groups at your own pace. It's more important for you to understand the material than to "cover" all the questions. You must take responsibility for your own learning! If you find yourself ahead of your partners, try to explain some physics to them. Explainers learn even more than listeners. Attendance at tutorials is mandatory. Remember to bring your workbook to tutorial every week!
Pretests: There will be no tutorial pre-tests this semester.
Grading and exams: Your course grade is determined by a combination of
your performance on exams, CAPA and tutorial homework, in-class and online
participation.
Exam 1: 7:30-9:00 PM, Tu. Feb 9 , 15% (Duane G1B20 and G1B30, your room to be announced later.)
Exam 2: 7:30-9:00 PM, Tu. March 9 , 15%
Exam 3: 7:30-9:00 PM, Tu. April 13 15%
Final Exam: 10:30 AM -1 PM, Sat. May 1, Dunae G1B30 and G1B20, 20%
CAPA Homework:15%
Tutorial Homework: 15%
Tutorials: Attendance and Pariticpation are required 2%
Online Pre-Lectures: You must complete these before the deadline to recevie credit 2%
Clickers: In-class participation 1%.
Excused Assignments: Because we realize that students may get sick during the semester or have an urgent need that will cause them to miss a class or an assignment, we will automatically excuse one missed CAPA assignment, two pre-lecture assignments, three days of clicker responses, one tutorial participation grade, and one tutorial HW. In the case of no missed assignments we will, however, excuse the lowest scores from these assignments. Because of this policy and because of the large number of students enrolled in this class, individual excuse requests will only be considered for extreme circumstances.
Exams: There are no makeups. You may not miss any exam except for reasons beyond your control, approved by Prof. Lewandowski or Marino, which usually means a confirmed and documented medical problem. (Not knowing which room your exam is in is not beyond your control) In the (unusual) case of an (at most, single) excused absence, your other exams will be used to compute an exam average. To pass 1120, you must take (or be excused from) all exams and the final.
You may bring a single 8.5 in. x 11 in. paper to exams, with your own handwritten notes on both sides (and edges!). Calculators with scientific notation are allowed and sometimes needed.
Honor Code: We trust every individual in this class to understand and follow the CU honor code. Please respect that trust! It's a large class, and we realize there may be some temptations - we'll do our best to make the class valuable and worthy of your honorable behaviour! (The honor code at CU is really very cool, although the CU official wording about it is a little tough: Violations of the honor code may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion).
Disabilities: Students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities, please let us know early in the semester (first two weeks) so that your academic needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation from the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671)
Religious Observances: We will make a strong effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, please send an e-mail to Prof. Marino in the first week of classes if you anticipate a conflict. See campus policy here.
Classroom Behavior: Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. We have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which we (and you) express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities (which don't come up directly so often in Physics II... but you never know!) Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. We will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise your instructors (Prof Lewandowski, Marino, and/or your TA) of this preference early in the semester so that we may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies here and here.
Discrimination and Sexual Harassment: The CU policies on Discrimination and Harassment, Sexual Harassment, or Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Anyone who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about campus resources available to assist you regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained here.
Important CU deadlines: Check here for the official CU Add/Drop dates. At this time, Wed. Jan. 20 is add date. Jan. 22 is when we'd like to hear from you if you need any exam accomodations. Wed, Feb 24, is drop date without our signatures. Additional late drop dates may apply depending upon your college rules. Engineers and Arts and Sciences majors may differ.
The course topics that we will cover in Physics 1120 are among the greatest intellectual achievements of humans. Don't be surprised if you have to think hard and work hard to master the material. You can perform very well in this class if you follow this time-tested system:
Being
"good" at physics problem solving comes from practice. CAPA problems
usually involve two steps: a decision about which principles and concepts of
physics apply, and then a determination of the answer (which usually involves a
calculation.) Tutorial homework concentrate even more on the principles and
concepts, and your ability to explain what you are doing. We encourage you to
talk about physics with your friends. The thing to talk about is not which
number to put where (the calculation is the easy part), but the reasoning that
helps you decide what to do with the numbers.
Any information in this
syllabus is as accurate as is possible at the time of writing. Future
announcements about changes of any kind will be made in class, and (usually)
posted on the web, and will take precedence over the original syllabus. You are responsible for what is said in class,
whether or not you are in attendance.
Disclaimer