Syllabus and pedagogy
This course is an elementary introduction to light, a form of electromagnetic waves visible to human eye. Students will be introduced to fundamental properties of light using waves (wavelength, frequency, speed, intensity, spectrum) and rays (refraction and reflection) descriptions. Building on these fundamentals, we will study apertures, mirrors, and lenses and based on these will learn about operation of microscopes, telescopes and cameras on one hand and an eye, color and color perception on the other.
In keeping with these principles, there will be a substantial number of homework problems each week. While you are encouraged to work with other students, you are required to write up the answers in your own words. So each student's wording should be unique to the student. Typically you will need to spend between four and six hours outside of class to master the material.
In addition to office hours, I encourage you to take advantage of the physics Help Room that is open 40 hours per week, and there are always students and TAs there, although they are not necessarily from Physics 1230.
Students begin this class with a range of backgrounds in physics and math. As a result, it is impossible for each class to be perfectly matched to everyone's background. I will work hard to provide whatever help is necessary for every student, regardless of their background, to do well in the course and achieve all of the learning goals. However, it is your responsibility to recognize that you need that help, and to take advantage of its availability. You are welcome to set up an appointment or just drop by my office.
Physics is a difficult subject, but succeeding in this course is not. Follow these suggestions and you will do well:
To ensure a distraction free environment for all students, all laptop computers, MP3 players, cell phones, and similar devices are not to be used during lecture.
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy 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 (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
Bringing someone else's clicker to class to give them credit is a direct violation of the CU honor code - please do not do it, nor tolerate other people doing it. Please feel free to talk to me if anything is going on you are not comfortable with.
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me (Professor Radzihovsky) a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see guidelines at http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/go.cgi?select=temporary.html"
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of sexual harassment or discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, 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 the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, please speak to me (Professor Radzihovsky) regarding any accomodation you might need regarding religious observances.