PHY3221 (Mechanics I), spring term 2015
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Instructor: Arthur Hebard
Office: 2257 NPB |
Phone: 392-8442 |
Lab: B38/39 NPB |
Phone: 392-9228 |
Email: afh@phys.ufl.edu
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Fax: 392-3591 |
- Meeting time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, period 2, 8:30-9:20 AM in NPB 1220.
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- Office hours: Monday, 1:00-2:00 PM; Thursday 9:30-10:30 AM. At
other times, please email and confirm.
Textbook: The required text is Classical Mechanics by J.R. Taylor
- Corequisites: PHY 2048 or the equivalent. Fluency in algebra, trigonometry and calculus is necessary for your success in Mechanics I. A course in
differential equations is highly recommended. Calculus III will
be used extensively throughout the course.
Synopsis: This course is the first part of two-semester sequence (PHY 3221-4222) in undergraduate level classical mechanics. The goal of the first semester is to develop a bridge from the elementary course (PHY2048) to the Lagrange and Hamilton formulation of mechanics to be studied in depth in the second semester (PHY4222) of the course. Topics include matrices, vector calculus, Newtonian mechanics, frames of reference, conservation laws, harmonic oscillator, and calculus of variations.
Physics 3221 will cover selected
chapters of the textbook. See Calendar
for details. Lecture slides will be posted.
Words of Advice for success in this course
Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx.
Grading policy:
Homework: There will be ten GRADED
homework (HW) assignments during the semester, due on the dates indicated
on the schedule. Homework assignments, subject to change, are posted on the Homework link of this website.Homework will be collected in class on the due date. HWs will not be accepted out of class and overdue HWs will not be graded. Make your solutions neat, concise, and intelligible.
Points may be deducted if it is difficult to find and/or understand
the solutions. If you miss a homework deadline for any reason, there is no need for you to provide an excuse because there is little possibility of a makeup or extension. Instead the two lowest homework scores will be dropped at the end of the semester.The graded HWs will be worth 15% of the total grade.
In-class exams : In addition to the
homework assignments, there will be THREE in-class exams of 50 minutes
duration, tentatively scheduled for February 11, March 13 and April 10. Each of these exams will be worth 15% of the total
grade.
Hence the in-class exams will constitute 45% of the total grade.
In-class quizzes: There will be seven quizzes each of approximately 10 min duration as listed on the calendar. The two lowest will be dropped and the remaining five will constitute 5% of your grade. One quiz near the end of the semester
will be used the fulfil the academic
learning compact (ALC) requirement. The ALC quiz is compulsory and constitute 5% of your total
grade.
Final exam: There will be a two hour,
cumulative final exam. Details about the exam format will be
posted here. Formula sheets for the final exam will be allowed.
The final exam will be worth 30% of the total grade. The final is
scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM in NPB 1220.
Grade calculation:
Homework |
15% |
3 in-class tests |
15% each for a total of 45% |
quizzes + ALC |
10% |
Final exam |
30% |
Your grades will be posted on CANVAS. If you have not used CANVAS, please learn how to use it by visiting https://lss.at.ufl.edu/help/Student_Faq.
Here is a guideline for your final letter grade: 85%-100%, some
type of A; 65%-84%, some type of B; 50%-64%, some type of C; below
50, will be decided by the instructor. These thresholds may be lowered,
depending upon numerous factors, but will not be raised. The course
grades are not curved.
The grader for the course is Daniel Jackson, djackson112358@ufl.edu
C is the lowest passing grade for physics majors!
Holidays (no classes): Martin Luther King Day (Monday, January 19), Spring Break (Monday - Friday, March 2-6)..
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
“Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, https://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/) by providing
appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.
ON LINE COURSE EVALUATIONS: Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing online evaluations at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations are typically open
during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results/.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Each student is expected to
hold himself/herself to a high standard of academic honesty. Under
the UF academic honesty policy, unauthorized assistance or the use
of unauthorized resources is strictly forbidden on work-for-credit.
Although discussions among the students are highly encouraged, you
are to work alone on all homework assignments unless specified otherwise.
Fabrication or falsification of excuses or related documentation
is also a violation of the UF academic honesty policy. Violations
of this policy will be dealt with severely. There will be no warnings
or exceptions. Expectations with respect to student conduct and the Honor Code can be found at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/process/student-conduct-honorcode/ where a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions are described..