COURSE CONTENT

COURSE TEXT: Modern Physics, 3rd Edition by Serway, Moses & Moyer, Published by Thomson (Brooks/Cole) 2005. This is the fourth quarter of the introductory physics sequence, and deals with some of the most important and exciting physics of the 20th century, including special relativity, quantum physics and its many applications to atomic and particle physics. The phenomena involved are abstract and outside the usual range of everyday experience, but have a profound effect on modern technology and our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe. Intuition and common world experience will NOT be reliable guides in this course; it will require your full attention to reading assignments, lectures and problem assignments.

 

STUDY ASSIGNMENTS: Reading and homework problem assignments will be given during the quarter from the text book to give you facility with problem solving techniques. Homework will not be collected for correction and grading, and hence does not count toward your final grade.

 

Intuition is not a reliable guide in this course. You cannot expect to do well in this course unless you do most of the assigned problems. If you have trouble with the assignments, we have the following suggestions:

(a) Work with one or two other students to share experience and ideas.

(b) Get help in the problem sessions for the problems you were unable to do. Problem solutions will be available at the class website by Tuesday afternoon.

The assigned homework problems should be done concurrently with lectures and be completed before the problem sessions.

(c) make sure you attend the discussion session AND the problem solving session. You will learn a lot there !

 

QUIZZES: Weekly quizzes will be given every week on Friday, starting Friday April 10. There will be 8 quizzes. You will need to bring a Blue Book.

 

1) On the day of the first quiz, you will be assigned a three digit code number, which is to be entered on each quiz or exam you take in this course. Record it in at least two places where you won't lose it and have it available when needed.

 

2) Quizzes will consist of two problems based on the current week's assignment. The quiz is closed book, but supplemental information such as constants or equations from relevant chapters will be provided. You will have 40 minutes to do the quiz. Quiz solutions and grades will be posted on the following Tuesday on the class web page.

 

3) The best six out of eight quizzes will be counted toward your final grade.

 

4) There will be no makeup of a quiz for medical or other reasons. Missed quizzes are to be accommodated in the ones to be dropped from grading. If you encounter an extended conflict or other problem which cannot be handled in this way, you should consider taking the course in another quarter. Pl. meet with  Prof. Sinha before making your final decision.

 

5) The quizzes will count as 60% of the final grade, don't miss them, particularly the early ones !

 

6) After each quiz, the solutions will be posted on the web. Quiz pick-up will be from the Physics student affair window in Urey Hall Annex. You will have one week from day of "quiz return" to pick up your quiz bluebooks. Recorded grades will be posted on the class web page. ALWAYS check your posted grade against that on your quiz blue book to be sure your grade has been recorded correctly. All regrade requests must be made to the TA within 1 week of quiz return. No exceptions!

 

FINAL EXAM: The final exam is on June 12th, 11:30 AM -2:30 PM (location TBA).  The final exam date and location will be confirmed later in the quarter. It will count as 40% of your final grade. IF you anticipate final exam conflicts  let Professor Sinha know within the first two weeks of the course.

 

NOTE: You will need to bring a blue book for each quiz and the final exam.  Your three digit code number and course number should be put on the booklet cover.You may also choose to put your name on it if you want the Urey Hall Annex staff to hand them to you instead of picking it up yourself from the open shelves.

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IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS,  PL. SEE:

 

- Richard Hsu  if you have any problems with Studentlink related to add/drop procedures, or getting authorization for such actions.

 

- The TA, if you have questions about the subject matter, problem solving methods, grading of quizzes, or recording of