Course Info » Syllabus

Physics 2020 Syllabus

Here is a formatted pdf version if you want to print this out.

- Class Info

MWF 3:00-3:50 PM in Duane G1B30

- Lectures

Prof. Steven Pollock
Contact: steven.pollock (at) colorado.edu, (303) 492-2495
Office: Duane F1013 (10th floor, tower)  
Office hours: Wed 1 PM in the Help Room, Mon after lecture (first up front, then I will head to the help room if people are around), or any time by appointment For "administrative" office hours (e.g. questions about exams), Friday after class in my office. (again, I will stay after class until all questions are cleared up, then head to my office)

- Labs/Recitations

Prof. Jorge Martins
Contact: jorge.martins (at) colorado.edu, (303) 735-0223
Office: Duane F925 (9th floor, tower)
Office hours (tentative): We 1:00-3:00pm in the Help Room or by appointment

- Text

*Optional* --Physics: Principles with Applications , any edition, D. Giancoli
Any material for which you are responsible for will be presented in class, lab, and lecture notes

However, the text is highly recommended as an additional resource

- Overview

Physics 2020 is the second semester of an algebra-based sequence in college physics focusing mainly on electricity, magnetism, and optics, the physical foundations of our technological society. We emphasize conceptual understanding and problem solving skills. Our goals are for you to continue developing knowledge and intuition about how the world works, to learn to approach physics problems on both qualitative and quantitative levels, and to relate classroom physics to the real world in which you live. We want you to feel confident in the material, and ideally get excited about it!

 

This material largely involves discoveries less than 150 years old. (Of course, even the ancients knew some things about magnetism and light) We are so comfortable with technologies like TV and computers, it's 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 based on the existence of electrical power and electronics. By the end of this course, you should have a base of knowledge to allow you to better understand how many modern electronic devices work

- Disclaimer

This syllabus is as accurate as possible at the time of writing. Announcements about changes will be made in class, and posted on the web, and will take precedence over this syllabus. You are responsible for what is said in class, whether or not you are in attendance.

- Prereqs

Physics 2010 (or equivalent introductory mechanics course, basic algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. College level logic, enthusiasm, and curiosity will be helpful as well!

- Grading

The weights of each component of class are given below.

 

You will never be "curved down" in this class. For most majors you need to achieve at least a C- to pass a class. So, for instance, if your raw percentage at the end of the term is a 70% you are guaranteed a C- or better. Please note that CAPA, Written HW, and Lab combines to be 40% of your total grade. In addition, these segments of the class are designed for you to achieve nearly full credit as long as you are diligent about the work.

 

- Participation and Clickers

We will use clickers during lectures, to help you learn the material. You need to purchase an "iClicker" from the bookstore. Either the “iClicker” or “iClicker +” will work.

Your iClicker responses count only as extra credit points. You will receive 2 points for participation, and 1 additional point for correct answers. Clickers start counting the second week of class. We also give you full participation clicker credit for the 3 days with your lowest scores, to accommodate dead batteries, sore throats, broken alarm clocks, and fresh powder. There will also be occasional online surveys which add in to this extra credit.

Information on how to register your iClicker is here.

- Exams

There will be three midterms and a final:

Exam	Date	Time
Midterm 1	Thursday, Feb 12	7:30-9:15 PM
Midterm 2	Thursday, Mar 12	7:30-9:15 PM
Midterm 3	Thursday, Apr 16	7:30-9:15 PM
Final	Tuesday, May 5	7:30 AM-10:00 AM

You may bring a single side of 8.5 in. x 11 in. paper for the first exam, with your own handwritten notes. You can add one more side for each exam (i.e. one side for Midterm1, two sides for Midterm2 etc., 2 pages front and back by the final!) Calculators with scientific notation are allowed and sometimes needed. (Of course, no phones, internet access, "electronic crib sheets", etc!)

It is your responsibility to make sure you have no conflicts with these exams! If you have a conflict, you should retake Physics 2020 in a semester when you can make it to all the exams. If you are absent for a serious medical reason, or with prior approval from Prof. Pollock, you may be excused from 1 midterm. Medical excuses must be submitted no later than 1 week following the exam. There are NO makeup exams.

Students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities, or other conflicts or issues must let us know early in the semester (first two weeks) so that your academic needs may be appropriately met. Students with religious obligations that conflict with the exam dates should contact us early in the semester (first two weeks) so that accommodations can be made. (Details below)

- CAPA Homework

You will get a weekly printed personalized homework (everyone’s is slightly different) with a CAPA ID # which changes each week. The ID number is printed on your assignment (or use the "PIN-Getter" link). Log onto CAPA to "hand in" your answers. Work out your solutions on paper first! One advantage of CAPA is the instant feedback on how you are doing. Also, you get the opportunity to change wrong answers without penalty. You get multiple tries (6) on each problem, with no points off for wrong answers. If you get it wrong all 6 times, that particular problem is "closed out" but you can still work on the others. You can log off and return at any time.

CAPA is due Wed at 11pm. (With an automatic extension to Th@8 AM, which is an absolute deadline.) After that time, entries will not be accepted by CAPA. If you have problems, check the CAPA help page first. Next place to go for help is our piazza page. Each CAPA set is weighted equally and will be graded out of 100%. We will drop your lowest percentage CAPA score when computing your final grade.

- Written Homework

In addition to the weekly CAPA there will be a longer, more in-depth homework assignment due most Fridays at 3:00 PM. Place these assignments in the TA boxes by the entrance to the Help Room. They will be handed back during lab. You are encouraged to work together on homework, but in the end, you are responsible for generating your own solutions and understanding. We will drop your lowest written homework score (which could be a zero if you missed an assignement) when computing your final grade.

- Preflights/surveys

Some weeks there may be an optional (extra credit) online survey. It’s due Wed night (hard deadline Thurs@8 AM). It’s useful to us and you, please participate!

- Labs

There is a 2-hour lab each week in Duane G2B88. You must attend the section to which you are assigned. Missed labs should be made up the same week, though there will be opportunities to make up excused lab absences at 3 other times in the semester. Complete your pre-lab homework before start of your lab section and turn it in to your TA upon entering the lab.

 

To make up a lab in the same week you miss the lab, email your TA and the TA of the lab section you wish to attend to make arrangements. Please send this email as far in advance as possible. The TA of the section you attend will sign your lab report and return it to your normal TA.

The pre-lab contributes 1/3, and the lab 2/3, to your total lab/recitation grade. We want to encourage you to actively engage, explore, and participate in lab. You will receive the full 2/3 as long as you are actively participating and engaging with the material.

Remember, if you receive a zero on more than 1 lab, you fail the course!

- Physics Help Room

Prof. Pollock, Prof. Martins, and the TAs will have regular office hours in the Help Room (Duane G2B87), open from 9AM-5PM Mon-Fri. Times when specific TAs will be in the Help Room are posted on the Help Room schedule, but you can drop by anytime. If you need to see your TA privately, contact them directly.

- Lecture Notes and Solutions

Lecture Notes and solutions of the in-class concept tests are posted on the course web site, generally immediately after class is over. (Lecture notes and the concept questions themselves are posted BEFORE lecture)
Solutions to CAPA, written homework, and exams will generally be posted on D2L.

- Piazza

We have a site at www.piazza.com. If you have questions, post them HERE first, rather than emailing us right away. You will get an invitational email, please sign up. (I have used them for several years, and nobody has complained of getting spammed) This provides a nice place to ask questions which YOU can also respond to. We will be looking at it, and will try to respond, but our hope is that you can help each other. Please don’t make it a “cheat site”, (don’t tell the answer to homework problems) but you can certainly share your ideas, point people to helpful pages in the book, give hints, etc – just like any instructor would in the help room! We give token extra credit if you actively participate in this forum.

 

- Etiquette

The main etiquette policy is to be respectful and to not be distracting to your neighbors. Please turn off all phones when entering class. It is perfectly OK to interrupt the lecture by yelling “Question!”, questions are good! We encourage collaboration, an essential skill in all professions. Social interactions are critical to scientists' success - most good ideas grow out of discussions with colleagues. As you study, help your partners get over confusions, ask each other questions, constructively critique ideas. You learn the most from teaching others!
Remember that this is about learning, not about passing a class - for all assignments, the work you turn in must be your own: in your own words, reflecting your own understanding

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And now the fine print...

- Incompletes

Rules of the University require that grades of incomplete (I) may be assigned only if “for reasons beyond the student’s control, the student is unable to complete the course requirements.” (I) requests must be made in person to Prof. Pollock or Prof. Martins.

- 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), email dsinfo@colorado.edu.
  www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices

- Religious Holidays

We will make a strong effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with exams, assignments or required attendance. Please send an e-mail to the instructor in the first week of classes if you anticipate a conflict.
  www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

- CU Behavior Policy

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 they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are always important. Class rosters are provided to us with your legal name. We will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise us of this preference early in the semester.
  www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html
  www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

- 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 behavior! 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).
  honorcode.colorado.edu

- Discrimination

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.
  www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination-and-harassment-policy-and-procedures
  www.colorado.edu/odh