Physics 9C - Section 3 : Winter 1998 : Tu/Th 1:40 - 3:00
Dr. Jack Osborne
537 Phys/Geo
916-752-5786
web: http://altair.ucdavis.edu/~jho/physics/phys9c.html
email:jho@ucdnpg.ucdavis.edu
RESOURCES: The text for the course is Physics (3rd Ed.) by Paul Tipler. This text and the lecture notes are the primary sources for the course. Other texts are available on reserve at Shields Library.
HOMEWORK AND QUIZZES: Assigned homework problems will be listed on the board when a chapter is started in lecture. The homework will not be collected. Instead, there will be a closed-book, closed-note quiz of about 15 minute duration. The quizzes will consist of two problems similar enough to the homework that they can easily be solved by a student who has successfully completed the homework. Though calculators will often be required, NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANSWERS WITHOUT WORK SHOWN. Most useful equations and constants will be provided. You will, however, be expected to remember some of the more basic (simple) equations. Problem solutions will be made available AFTER the quiz at Navin's Copy Shop. Each student's lowest quiz score will be dropped. Make-up quizzes will NOT be given (except under circumstances such as prolonged illness). However, arrangements may be made to take a quiz EARLY if necessary.
EXAMS: (Dates are given in the Schedule.) The exams will be closed-book and no notes or formula pages will be allowed. BLUEBOOKS, 8.5x11 (Engineering or Law), are required for midterms; you must bring one on exam days. Most useful equations and constants will be provided. Calculators are allowed, though again, NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANSWERS WITHOUT WORK SHOWN. Arrangements for make-up exams MUST (an exception follows) be made prior to the day of the exam. If I cannot be reached prior to the exam and you are sick, obtain WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION from the health center. Regrades of exams will be accepted within ONE WEEK only of the exam's return. ATTACH A NOTE with your grievenace to the exam. DO NOT write on the exam. Regrades should be directed to me, either following class or at my office. The final exam is Thursday March 26, 4:00-6:00pm (UGH!) and will NOT be changed (I know it is an inconvenient time), except in an emergency (an airline reservation is not an emergency), or if you wish to take the final EARLY because you have THREE or more finals on this day (and can furnish PROOF).
DISCUSSION: It is IMPERATIVE that you attend discussion session. The opportunity to ask questions in an atmosphere more intimate than the lecture hall has proven crucial to students' understanding and success in the course. Among the activities: group problem-solving, returning and discussing quizzes, discussion of topics in the text, and problem-solving by the TA. Attendence is MANDATORY. A poor antendence record in discussion may lower your grade a 'step', i.e. B- to C+, C+ to C, etc.
LABS: You MUST be enrolled simultaneously in a lab section. If you are not already enrolled in a lab section, you must enroll IN PERSON at the next meeting of a lab section that has space available. FAILURE TO TAKE AND PASS THE LAB RESULTS IN AN AUTOMATIC GRADE OF 'F' FOR THE ENTIRE COURSE. Any exception (e.g., use of a prior lab grade) requires Physics Department approval prior to the end of the first week of classes. Lab grades modify your lecture grade to give you your course grade. A HIGH PASS will raise your lecture grade one 'step' and a LOW PASS will lower your lecture grade by one 'step' except for grade 'A' (high pass) and 'D-' (low pass).
GRADING: Quizzes will count for 20% of your grade. Each of the two midterms will count for 20%. The final exam will be comprehensive and will count for 40% of the total. The class will be graded on a curve. However, no firm letter grade will be given for any exam or quiz. For exams, the mean and standard deviation (spread) will be given, as well as a ROUGH breakdown of letter grades. Documented cases of cheating will, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, be referred to Judicial Affairs.
ASSISTANCE: Ro 158 will be open from approximately 12 or 1 pm until 5 or 6 pm weekdays, staffed at various times by the Physics 9B instructors, discussion leaders, and lab TA's. A defintie schedule will be posted outside Ro 158 as soon as possible. Besides simply being a place to work, this resource is meant to provide an opportunity to discuss the material and problems with other 9B students, to become acquainted with other members of the Physics Department, to discuss difficulties in the course, to investigate a possible major in Physics, and to obtain help with assignments. In particular, I will be there Mondays from 3 to 4pm and Wednesdays from 2 to 3 pm (Note: Many of those in this room will be unfamiliar with your homework assignment, and will be disinclined to simply show you how to obtain answers.) I heartily encourage you to attend if you are having difficulty solving the problems. I will also have drop-in office hours MW afternoons to handle administrative problems (not homework). I am also available by appointment. One of the BEST times to talk to me is immediately AFTER class, either in front of the lecture hall or at my office. One of the WORST times to attempt to discuss anything with me is immediately BEFORE class. I will have just returned from teaching in Placerville and will be preoccupied with preparing for class. Finally, your discussion leader will hold regular office hours. These should be announced at the first discussion meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS: There is a glass case (#13) outside room Phys/Geo 101 reserved for this class (9C-3). This syllabus, problem solutions, keys to exams, and various other important information (such as answers to even-numbered problems) will be posted there periodically throughout the quarter. Be aware!
SCHEDULE: (tentative)