PHY1033 Syllabus

1033

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Syllabus highlights ( Description | Text | Requirements | Grading ):

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Course Description:

An introduction and conceptual approach to physics with (almost) no mathematical prerequisites. We will cover the very basics of mechanics and electricity and magnetism, with a particular view towards the historical development of these subjects. Along the way we will be thinking about the following questions: what is our modern view of science, why is it important, and how did it develop? Are other viewpoints possible? In the last third of the course we will focus on some interesting modern topics: relativity and quantum mechanics.

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Text:

Conceptual Physics , Paul Hewitt, Addison-Wesley, 9th edition.

Other Recommended Texts:

Physics for Poets , Robert March, McGraw-Hill, 1996.
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, Carl Sagan, Headline Book Publishing, 1997.
Inquiry into Physics , Vern J. Ostdiek and Donald J. Bord, Brooks/Cole, 2000.

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Required work:

Homework

There will be weekly homework assignments posted on the web. Solutions will be posted after the due-date, which will be Friday at 5pm in the week in question. The homework is quite important, and it is equally important to correctly describe how one arrives at the correct solution as it is to find the correct answer! Late homework is not accepted. Please turn in all homework assignments to your TA.

If you have trouble with certain problems, come with questions to office hours of your instructor or TA. There will be a total of 11 homeworks, of which two may be dropped and the highest score you get counted twice. Each homework is worth 10 points, for a maximum possible 100 points.

Labs

There are 10 laboratories, each worth 10 points. The lowest two lab scores will be dropped, and the two highest scores doubled, giving a possible 100 points for the practical component of the course.

Quizzes

Quick questions will be posed in class and answers recorded via the HITT student response remotes. Each student is required to purchase a remote (cost: $30, with $15 buyback refund) at UF Bookstore. Total quiz grade will be scaled to 50 points after dropping 20% of all quizzes.

Tests

Three required in-class tests, required final examination. Each has 20 multiple choice questions worth 5 points each, to give a total of 100 points per test. The final has 30 questions each worth 5 points, for a total of 150 points. The lowest of the 3 tests or the final will be dropped. For this reason, there will be no makeup tests offered! Clearly almost everyone will drop one of the tests rather than the final, but if you do wonderfully well in every test, you may get an "A" without turning up for the final!

You must bring writing instruments and a student registration card with a photo for all tests and the final. All necessary paper will be provided, and calculators will not be necessary. The exams will cover material from the lectures (including demonstrations) in a manner similar to the homework problems.

Test 1	NPB 1001	Tues, Sep. 23
Test 2	NPB 1001	Thurs., Oct. 30
Test 3	NPB 1001	Thursday, Dec. 4
Final	NPB 1001	Thurs., Dec. 18 5:30-7:30pm

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Grading Policy:

The various components of your final grade will be weighted as follows:

Tests +Final	350
Lab	100
Homework	100
Quizzes	50
TOTAL	600

There will be no "extra credit" under any circumstances. Letter grades will be assigned according to a "curved" distribution: >450--A, >420--B+, >380--B, >350--C+, >320--C, >300--D+, >280--D. Your actual raw percentage score on tests should not be compared to those you receive in humanities courses.

Makeup policy: Since the policy of dropping tests, homeworks and labs is very generous, no makeups are anticipated.

You are responsible for all material covered in the textbook, lab, and in lecture, including any announcements made or special handouts distributed in lab or lecture. If you must be absent during a given lab or lecture, check with a friend to make sure you know what was covered.

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