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Thermal Physics - Fall 2010
COREQUISITES:
PHY 2049 or the equivalent. A course in differential equations is highly recommended.
Cal III will be used extensively in the second half of this course.
DESCRIPTION
The course aims to nourish conceptual understanding of thermodynamic principles and to apply them
to real physical systems. It covers the fundamental thermodynamic principles (4 laws of thermodynamics)
and phase transitions, and transport phenomena. The course uses Concept in Thermal Physics by
S.J. Blundell and K.M. Blundell as the main textbook.
GRADING POLICY
Homework
About seven homeworks will be assigned in this course. Each homework will be
distributed as a PDF file through e-mail, usually on Friday and only the current homework will be posted on-line. The due date of homework will be specified
on the homework sheet (usually a week after). Make your solutions neat, concise, and intelligible.
Overdue homework will not be graded. Solutions will be posted on-line and are password-protected.
In-class Quizzes
There will be five in-class quizzes. You should consider each quiz (40 mins) as an exam. Quizzes will ask
conceptual aspects on the subjects covered in the previous week's classes and homework problems. Students
can drop one quiz.
Exams
There will be three two-hour-long comprehensive exams, including the final exam. The exam time
and place will be announced later.
Composition of Grade
| Quiz |
9% each, 36% total (allow 1 quiz drop) |
| Homework |
10% total |
| Exams |
18% each, 54% total |
| Total |
100% |
Projected Grading Scale*
| Grade
|
A
|
A-
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B+
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B
|
B-
|
C+
|
C
|
C-
|
D+
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E
|
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G. Pt.
|
4.0
|
3.67
|
3.33
|
3.0
|
2.67
|
2.33
|
2.0
|
1.67
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1.33
|
0
|
|
Score
|
90+
|
80+
|
75+
|
70+
|
65+
|
60+
|
55+
|
50+
|
40+
|
40-
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*The actual grading scale may
vary depending on numerous factors within +/-2.5 points out of 100.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Students who require accommodation for disabilities must first contact the Dean
of Students Office. That office will provide documentation, which the student
must bring to his/her instructors during the first week of the
semester.
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 differently. 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.
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