Physics 102-001, Introductory Physics II
TR, 5:30 - 6:45, Fall 2009
Room 125 Science Center
Dr. Jeff Wragg
Office: room 103 RHSC
Office Hours:
MW: 8:30-9:30
TR: 2:00-3:00
But come by any time
phone: 953-5781
email link or send me an anonymous web-based email
Tentative Schedule
(Subject to change as we go.)
We will begin with chapter 18 and cover through the end of the book, chapter 32. Some chapters will be covered in more depth than others, and some sections will be omitted. Details or homework assignments and test dates may change somewhat. Of course the final exam date and time is written in stone by the College.
HELP!
There are other sources of help with the material (besides me of course).
Physics is a field in which we attempt to describe, explain and predict how things happen. A law in physics is a concise summary of a broad collection of observations. The primary tools in physics are observation and mathematics. The latter allows us to make simple yet concise statements of physical law. Our simple mathematical statements of law become a vehicle for precisely predicting the behavior of the physical world we live in. It is also important to be able to use words to describe and predict the behavior of systems.
If you have a question, please ask it. If you have a comment, please make it. Even an anonymous note under my door or in my mailbox is fine. Communication is the essence of the classroom experience. I am pleased to see you any time you can find me. I encourage you to use email, although it is tough to give detailed help with problems via email.
Special H1N1 Flu Note: Given the realistic threat of H1N1 flu, I strongly encourage everyone to practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Please be mindful of the importance of the basic foundations of flu prevention: stay home when sick, wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
Please note that in the event of very widespread H1N1 flu on campus we may have to deviate from my intended syllabus in terms of coverage, testing, or schedule. Either the College or I may impose changes. I will do my best to insure that such changes are fair to everyone and to communicate with you.
Preparation
I expect you to have studied the relevant material for each day, such that you could answer simple questions about the material before it is presented in class. Assume that I may give you a short quiz at any time to help motivate you to be prepared for class. The best advice I can give you is come to every class, participate, take good notes, read the book, do the problems and
keep up. The most common, and perhaps the deadliest habit is to postpone your assault of the material.
Bring your calculator every day!
To document an absence for any class
Each student who attends class is expected to participate in a positive manner. This means being on time (so as not to disturb the learning of others) and making positive contributions to the learning environment. Students who disturb others will be asked to leave.
I keep daily attendance sheets which you will initial in class. These sheets are used to identify problem attendance patterns, and may be used to help me make decisions in borderline cases when I am assigning final grades.
Responsibility
You have responsibilities to yourselves, your classmates and me. One responsibility is to be to class every day and on time. Another responsibility is to keep up with the pace of the class. Do not think it is my responsibility to teach you. IT IS NOT. It is my job to create an environment and situations in which you can teach yourself. This course is organized by the above goals and objectives in order to achieve this end. The goal of education is to empower the individual student to be self-taught. I can't really do this for you, but I can help a lot.
Homework & Quizzes
Calculators may be prohibited for use on quizzes and exams without notice. This is not a cause for panic. The math will be simpler to accommodate the lack of a calculator. It is also possible that you may be provided with another calculator at any time. FINAL EXAM: Thursday, 10 Dec, 4-7 pm. If you have a problem with the final exam time, please read further. There are rules on how to deal with conflicts or if you have too many finals in too short a period of time. We can work out an alternative time if and only if you satisfy the rules the Registrar has established. The general rule is that you can get it changed in cases where you have a direct conflict with another final, or have 3 exams within 24 hours. I cannot consider alternate times unless the Registrar's Office has approved your request. If you need to request a change in final exams go to the Registrar's Office to get the request form. Your request must be submitted BEFORE finals start!!!!! There are limits on when it can be rescheduled, because I can't just do five of them at five different times. So please get your paperwork together, and I can coordinate them and get an alternative time and place scheduled.
Grades
Homework will be assigned, but not collected. I encourage you to attack the homework promptly as we cover the material. I am willing to go over homework problems in class, and often will, even without being asked. In-class quizzes will rely heavily on homework proficiency. If you keep up on your reading and homework assignments and are attentive in class you should be OK on quizzes. Expect a quiz every Thursday, but I can give one any time. I usually give quizzes at the end of the class period. Make-up quizzes are not given. I will throw out the lowest quiz score.
I will give you specific letter grade on each exam, so you should always have a pretty good idea where you stand. I encourage you to see me at any time for my assessment of your work.
| Quizzes | 20% |
| 4 Tests | 60% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| 100% of course grade |
updated: 19 Nov 09 - jlw