Academic Honesty |
Academic Learning Compact (ALC) |
Attendance |
Auditing
Calendar |
Canvas |
Catalog Description |
Class Times |
Complexity
of syllabus |
Copyright
Disabilities (Accommodations) |
Evaluations |
Exam Dates |
Final Examination |
Goals |
Grading |
Homework |
Instructor
Make-ups |
Meeting times |
Missing Class |
Privacy |
Professional Behavior |
Religious Holidays |
Schedule |
Textbook
If you choose to take this course, you should plan to spend a
significant amount of time doing homework, as the only way to
learn physics is to work a large number of homework problems. The most
common reason that some students do poorly in a physics course is a
failure to engage seriously with the homework and learn to solve each
assigned problem. Do not be surprised if the homework assignments take
up a fair amount of your time. If you don't have time to do homework
then you should not be taking this course.
Fluency in algebra and calculus (I, II,
III) is essential as these tools are used extensively in this
course. During the first week you will be asked to complete a
mathematical self assessment to ensure that
you have the math skills that you will need.
Credits: 3; Coreq: PHY 2049 or the equivalent.
First part of the PHY 3513/4523 sequence that includes treatment of classical thermodynamics, including fundamental postulates, entropy and equations of states; thermodynamic equilibrium and potentials; Maxwell relations and phase transitions. (P)
The mathematics prerequisite is important: Algebra, trigonometry,
and calculus (I, II, III) will be used extensively in this course.
Prof. Steve Hagen
Office: 2362 NPB
Email: sjhagen (at) ufl.edu
Office hours change from
week to week. If you cannot make this week's scheduled hours you
are welcome to contact me and make an appointment.
MWF 7th period (1:55 - 2:45 pm)
Room 1101 NPB (Physics Building at Museum Rd and Lemerand Dr)
This is the first course in a two-semester series (PHY3513 + PHY4523) in thermal physics, which is the study of general properties of heat, work and energy. The topic can be divided roughly into three parts: kinetic theory, thermodynamics and statistical physics. PHY3513 focuses on the first two (kinetic theory and thermodynamics), while PHY4523 focuses on statistical mechanics. The goals of this course are to introduce basic concepts in the kinetic theory of ideal gases (such as the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution) and then to develop the fundamental laws of thermodynamics and their applications. These ideas define in a precise and universal way some of the most basic attributes of matter and energy. They include the concepts of thermodynamic equilibrium, efficiency, reversibility and irreversibility, temperature, entropy, state equations, thermodynamic free energy, phase transitions and more. Historically, these ideas arose out of the study of engines (steam engines) during the industrial revolution - before the nature of atoms and molecules was even understood! However the principles of thermodynamics are fundamental to all of the natural sciences and engineering, from biochemistry to astrophysics. A proper understanding of thermodynamics is especially important for any student who wishes to pursue advanced study in any physical science or engineering field.
There are lots of good thermal physics textbooks. Schroeder is our required text not because it's the only decent book, but because we need to have one source of homework problems. But in terms of understanding the subject, you can use any book that works for you. Keep in mind that some books focus more on statistical physics (phy4523) and others are more focused on thermodynamics (phy3513). Schroeder's book tries to do both. If Schroeder's approach is not working for you, take a look at these:
Obviously we follow the University of Florida academic calendar. There are several holidays in Fall 2017 that affect our class: Labor Day (Mon Sep 4), Homecoming (Fri Oct 6), Veterans Day (Fri Nov 10) and Thanksgiving (Wed-Fri, Nov 22-24). Note that the official UF calendar indicates that classes will meet on the Monday (Nov 20) but not the Wednesday (Nov 22) before Thanksgiving.
The Midterm and Final Examination dates are as follows:
Setting aside hurricanes and other schedule disruptions, we anticipate having 42 lectures in fall 2017. During that time we will cover the first five chapters of Schroeder. The approximate schedule will therefore be:
Homework (HW) will be assigned regularly. It is often helpful to work with a friend on the homework, and I
encourage you to do this if possible. But make sure that you understand
each problem and that you have written out your own solution in your own
words. Solutions to Schroeder's problems will not be provided by the instructor.
On the other hand, you are encouraged to come to office hours and ask about any
problem that you have difficulty with.
HW will not be collected or graded.
Instead, we will have frequent short quizzes in which I will present you with a recent
HW problem, or a question that closely resembles a recent HW problem. That will be your
opportunity to show that you understand the HW. These will not be open-book quizzes, although
you will have access to the official formula sheet. Quizzes will not be announced in advance.
Each quiz will be graded on a 4-point scale (0-4 pts). If you have
been coming to class and you can do the homework, you should find the
quizzes to be easy. If you are struggling on the quizzes, then it is
highly likely that you are not engaging fully with the homework.
The final course grade will be determined by
Quiz and exam grades will be provided as numerical (not
letter) scores only. The only letter grade provided will be the final
course grade. This approach minimizes roundoff errors in your final grade,
so it is ultimately more fair, even if it causes some anxiety at times.
The letter grade scale applied at the end of the semester will be subject to adjustment based on overall class performance. However the following minimum scale is assured:
This means that a student who earns 86.67% average on all graded work
(and meets other requirements described in this syllabus) is assured at
least an A-, etc.
The midterm exams are given in class. The final exam is an assembly
exam. All topics covered in the assigned reading and HW, or presented
in lecture, are fair game for the exams and quizzes. Most of the exam
questions are usually similar to previous quiz and HW questions. Most of
the quiz questions are similar to recent HW questions. Therefore, you may
potentially encounter the same problem three times during the semester:
Once as HW, once as quiz, and once on the midterm or final exam.
During the exams and quizzes you will be provided a copy of the
"official" Phy3513 formula sheet, but you may not use any other notes
or books. You may bring a calculator (but not a phone, tablet, etc.).
If graded work is returned to you and you feel that your work
was not graded correctly, you may ask the grader to review the paper
and reconsider your grade. To request this review, please write a brief
(1-2 sentence) description of the problem on a separate sheet of paper,
attach it to your (entire) assignment, and return it to me (SJH).
I will pass it along to the grader, who will make the decision on whether
to adjust your grade. Keep in mind that the grader may review any and
all parts of the relevant assignment, and consequently your overall
assignment grade may go either up or down upon regrading. Also keep in
mind that the grader is doing you a courtesy with this service, and you
should not abuse this courtesy. Any requests for review should be prompt
and reasonable. The grader is not obligated to regrade an assignment
a couple of weeks or months after having graded it the first time.
Naturally, any alteration of any part of the paper between the first grading and the
resubmission would be regarded as academic dishonesty.
(See Academic Honesty, below).
Please plan carefully. Check the midterm and final exam
dates (see above) carefully before you make any plans to travel away from campus
during the semester. If you purchase an airline ticket to travel during
the semester, and you later realize that your travel conflicts with a
scheduled exam, you will have a problem.
Keep in mind that documents proving that you interacted with a physician, nurse, pharmacist, phlebotomist, etc. do not by themselves prove that you had a medical emergency.
Makeups for quizzes are generally unnecessary, as I will drop your two lowest quiz scores. If however that is insufficient and you feel that you have cause for a makeup, you will need to have a UF-approved excuse and provide documentation as above.
It is the policy of the University of Florida that the student, not the
instructor, is responsible for arranging accommodations when needed. The
instructor will not remind the student to schedule accommodations prior
to each quiz or exam. If you require extra time for in-class work, you
must initiate this request at least seven days before the exam or quiz.
What does "academic dishonesty" mean? As in most physics courses,
it is normal and appropriate for students in PHY3513 to work together on
homework assignments. However certain other activities are inappropriate:
these include plagiarism, fabricating data or information, giving
or receiving any unauthorized assistance on quizzes or exams, and
interfering with the academic work of other students. These acts are
dishonest. Supplying a false or fabricated excuse for missed academic
work is also academic dishonesty.
Students are advised that the instructor may use photo or video recording
during exams or quizzes in order to document seating locations
and other goings on. If you have a concern about this, talk with
the instructor.
The Dean of Students Office website has further details on
academic honesty policies at UF.
≥ 90 A
≥ 86.67 A-
≥ 83.33 B+
≥ 80 B
≥ 76.67 B-
≥ 73.33 C+
≥ 70 C
≥ 66.67 C-
≥ 63.33 D+
≥ 60 D
≥ 56.67 D-
The final examination is comprehensive - it covers the
entire semester. The date and time is fixed by the UF Registrar as Thursday December 14, 10 am -12 pm. Mark your calendar.
The Instructor believes that make-ups are intrinsically
unfair. This unfairness can be mitigated (but not eliminated)
by keeping the number of make-ups to an absolute minimum.
A make-up for a missed exam will be granted only in a truly dire situation which the
student can prove satisfies UF criteria. Proper documentation of any emergency will be required.
Regular class attendance is definitely expected. Mastery of the course
material will require each student to make a sustained and consistent
investment of effort throughout the semester. Class attendance is part
of that effort. Poor attendance or frequent lateness will result in
a reduced final grade, or even a failing grade. A student who stops
participating in the class - i.e. who ceases attending class, doing
homework, communicating with the instructor, taking quizzes/exams - should
drop the course, because otherwise a failing grade is certain. No special
end-of-semester arrangements (such as make-up work, late-drop petitions,
incomplete grades, signatures on various forms, etc.) will be provided
to any student who simply disappeared for a substantial portion of the
semester. Such accommodations are only available to students who have
participated in class and kept in regular contact with the instructor
during the term.
Unfortunately the instructor cannot approve requests to audit
PHY3513. Every student must register formally and take the class for
credit.
Student academic records are confidential, under federal
law. I will not answer emailed questions about your grades or other
academic matters, unless the email comes from your UF email or Canvas
account. Parents (and others) cannot ask instructors for information on a
student's attendance, grades, performance, etc, either by phone or email.
Even your UFID is confidential.
Students who will require a classroom accommodation for a disability must
contact the Dean of Students Office and request proper documentation. Upon
bringing that documentation to the Instructor, the student will be
given the appropriate accommodations. No accommodations are available to
students who lack this documentation.
This is an upper-division, university classroom and so we
expect professional behavior from everyone. Frequent lateness,
entering and leaving the classroom during the lecture, listening to
headphones or reading the ALLIGATOR during class, texting, websurfing,
emailing during class, cellphone rings, etc. ... are all rude
and disruptive behaviors. They distract the teacher and the other
students in the classroom - a direct violation of the Student Conduct Code. In fact this
instructor believes that clasroom use of laptops, iPods, phones, tablet
computers, and virtually all other electronic devices is almost always
detrimental to student learning and attention. Please show courtesy
and respect for yourself, your colleagues, and your institution by
putting away all your electronic devices at the start of class,
and by avoiding other distracting behaviors.
All students are required to abide by the
principles of academic honesty expressed in the Student Honor Code.
Consistent with university policy, any incident of academic dishonesty
in this course will be reported to the Dean of Students Office.
No warnings and no exceptions. If the incident is the student's first offense
at UF, the student will receive a failing grade in PHY3513. If not,
the Dean of Students Office will decide the appropriate sanction.
Major religious observances will be accommodated. It is university
policy, however, that the student must inform the instructor of religious
observances that will conflict with class attendance or other activities,
prior to the class or the occurrence of that activity.
Since major religious holidays are usually based on astronomical calendars -
which (thanks to Newtonian mechanics) can be calculated hundreds of years in advance - the instructor
will expect the student to provide at least 7-14 days of advance
notice of any upcoming religious observance.
Owing to rules set forth by the State of Florida, UF physics majors
must pass a 'field test' that consists of several parts. Click
here for details. Part of that field test is an assessment of
your understanding of PHY3513. Therefore we are required to give
a standardized test toward the end of the semester to ensure that every
student has mastered the content of this course. The test will be
given in class on the last day of the semester, Wednesday December 6, 2017.
Please be sure to attend on that date. This is not the same as the
final examination.
The instructor may use photo or video recording of exams and quizzes
in the interest of promoting academic honesty. However the UF Code of Student Conduct (6C1-4.041, section 3(i)
Unauthorized Recordings) prohibits a student from making any
type of recording of any class or activity without express authorization
from the instructor and from other participants. Please also note that
the instructor of this course holds the copyright to all course
materials other than the textbook and the associated homework.
That includes lecture notes and classroom audio/video. The textbook,
homework questions, and written homework solutions are the intellectual
property of the textbook author and publisher and others. Permission to
redistribute, reuse, recycle, share, upload, copy, buy, sell etc. any
course materials in any form is denied. Period. That means for example
that it is illegal to copy or upload homework solutions or
classroom audio/video to any website or distribute them to any third
party for any purpose.