PHSX 2220, Physics for Scientists and Engineers II
Spring 2008 MTWF, 1:30-2:20 SCNCE 326
Instructor: Larry Smith Office: SCNCE 111 phone: 283-7520 e-mail: ude.wons@htims.yrral
Goals: We will use physics as a vehicle to learn to apply scientific reasoning and computational skills in a variety of contexts. Students will learn to think deeply about the physical universe and how to solve problems. Students will become familiar with important scientific laws and principles and will learn that science is a process to gain knowledge.
Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, by Randall D. Knight (a five-volume boxed set ISBN: 0-8053-8978-4 is available, as is the combined extended one-volume version ISBN: 0-8053-8685-8 for all year). Make sure you get a bundled version with the student workbook and MasteringPhysics. You also need a nice scientific calculator, some colored pencils, and a 6� (15 cm) ruler (or a protractor with an included ruler).
Prerequisites: PHYS 2210, PHYS 2215, Calculus, facility with spreadsheets Corequisites: PHYS 2225
Course Content: Second semester in the calculus-based majors/engineering physics sequence. Covers wave interference, optics, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic induction and radiation, and a small intro to relativity and quantum mechanics. Chapters (un)covered are: 22-38.
Homework: Homework will be assigned every chapter, both on paper and on the MasteringPhysics web site (http://www.masteringphysics.com). You are strongly encouraged to study in groups to achieve understanding, but what you write on your paper must be your own work––don't turn homework in without understanding it. Paper is cheap (we can save trees by recycling your assignments after the term if you want) so use lots of it. Write every step neatly. Draw diagrams and figures. Communicate well and use the problem-solving strategy outlined in the textbook. Each chapter�s assignment will be due a day or so after we finish discussing the chapter in class. Paper homework that is late for any reason other than a pre-approved legitimate excuse will be worth 50% up to one week late; thereafter no credit will be given. No late homework will be accepted after April 21 at 5:00.
Participation: Ask questions in class, come to office hours, and help other students. If you are serious about this class the majority of your learning will take place outside of class time. A large part of the participation grade will come from your answering/discussing one of the questions from each chapter in front of the class, and from submitting a written question for me to answer concerning something you didn�t understand from reading the chapter. Both asking and answering questions should prove you�ve delved deeply into the chapter material. You also need to subscribe to the class e-mail list (LS-Yellow) and participate in the discussion there. You are responsible for information given over e-mail. Please try to learn as much as you can in this class; don�t cheat.
Help: You are encouraged to see me during my regular office hours (M-F 10:30-11:20), and at other times by appointment. Please also frequent the math/science lab and use your classmates and the class e-mail list as other resources. Don�t get behind, and don�t stay lost for more than a few hours at a time. See the ADA policy on my web site.
Policies: My policies regarding attendance and academic dishonesty are on my website.
Quizzes: Frequent quizzes will keep you apprised of your progress. You may raise a quiz score by up to 50% by watching 2 episodes of the approved videos (see the class web site). Video reports are due April 21 at 5:00.
Tests: There will be five multiple-choice tests in the testing center before the final exam. Testing Center hours are M-R 9-9, F 9-5, Sa 12-4, Su 5-9.
Final Exam: Wednesday, April 30, 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; in the classroom. It will be comprehensive.
Grading: Homework 20% Quizzes 20%
Tests 25% Participation 10% Final Exam 25%
