Introduction to Solid State Physics - Spring 2016

CLASS TIME & PLACE: M,W, F 4th Period (10:40– 11:30 am) in NPB #1216

Instructor: G. R. Stewart

Office: 2132 NPB / Phone:  392-9263

Email: stewart@phys.ufl.edu

Office Hours:
W 7th Period or by appointment.

TEXTBOOK (required): Introduction to Solid State Physics (8th Ed.) by Charles Kittel

REFERENCES (optional):

Fundamentals of Condensed Matter and Crystalline Physics by David L. Sidebottom

Elementary Solid State Physics by M. Ali Omar.

Solid State Physics by N.W. Ashcroft and N.D. Mermin.

DESCRIPTION
This course is designed for seniors or beginning graduate students in physics and physics related sciences and engineering. This course will treat subjects developed mostly in the 20th century in the fields of solid state/condensed matter physics at an introductory level. In this course a few selected topics developed in recent years will also be introduced.

Prerequisites: PHY3101, 3323, 3513, 4604, 4802L. Encouraged to take PHY4523 and 4803L at least simultaneously.

GRADING POLICY
Homework     Homework problems will be assigned on a regular base. Students are expected to work on the problems and submit their work individually. Discussion with your colleagues is encouraged but should not replace your doing the homework yourself.  Students who don't do the homework will find the exams hard.  Make your solutions neat, concise, and intelligible.
Homeworks submitted late will receive reduced credit (-25% for up to 1 day late, -50% for up to 2 days late, afterwards no credit.)

Tests:  There will be two Midterms given in class, followed by an individual oral exam of about 30 minutes in length that will also involve written work on a white board.  The oral exam will be at a time scheduled with the instructor during the period April 18-20 (the last three days of classes during the semester.)  It is your responsiblility to schedule your oral exam with the instructor.   There will not be a written final.  The homework, each Midterm, and the final oral exam will each count 25% of the total grade.

Projected Grading Scale*

Grade	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D+	E
G. Pt.	4.0	3.67	3.33	3.0	2.67	2.33	2.0	1.67	1.33	0
Score	85+	80+	70+	65+	60+	55+	50+	45+	40+

C is the lowest passing grade for Physics majors.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, 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.

Online evaluation process at the end of the semester: In order to improve the quality of instruction, students are strongly requested to complete the online evaluation for this course at http://evaluations.ufl.edu.   You will receive several emails at the end (~last 2 or 3 weeks) of the semester reminding you to do this.  Summary results of these assessments will be available at http://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 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.