Instructor:

N. Connolly (x4605, Office: Science G051, Lab: Science 1038)

Class Time:

Lectures:  MWF, 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Science G041

Labs:  see your lab section schedule

Office

Hours:

My office hours are posted on my door.  Please try to come during these times.  If necessary you can set up a time to see me, call ahead to see if I am in, or find me in my office or my lab.

Textbooks:

D. Giancoli, “Physics for Scientists and Engineers”, 4^th edition.

Syllabus:

The syllabus will most likely change quite a bit over the semester and is only meant as a guideline.

Grading:

Problem sets 20%, quizzes 10%, labs 20%, class participation 5%, two midterms 15% each, final 15%.

Problem

Sets:

Homework will be due on Wednesdays (TBC!) by 5 p.m., and graded homework will be handed out the following Wednesday in class.  You are encouraged to discuss questions with classmates, but what you write must be your own and must reflect your own understanding.  Please remember the Honor Code.  Late problem sets will be accepted, commented on as usual, and returned with information about what the grade would have been, but the actual grade will be recorded as zero.

The process of problem solving is more important than getting the right answer.  Homework is not an exercise to get the right answer, it is a presentation, convincing me that your answer is correct.  Show your work in some logical fashion and make notes at steps where the reasoning might not be clear.  No credit is given for mere correct answers.  Underlining or highlighting key steps and results can make your reasoning clearer.  Always include units and significant figures!

Exams/Final:

Two midterms will be given during the lab period as noted on the syllabus.  The date is subject to change.  Material for the midterms and final will draw heavily on the homework since that is the material that I find important.  The final will most likely cover the whole course but will emphasize the material covered after the last midterm. 

Class

Participation

Class participation does not necessarily refer to your performance in class (although obviously paying attention and answering questions when I ask them does not hurt).  Rather, it is a way for me to assess your overall involvement in the course.   For example, if you struggle with the material but consistently come prepared to my office hours and show me that you do the work, the class participation component of the grade can bump up your grade from A- to A.  On the other hand, if you show up for office hours but it is obvious that you have not done any work beforehand and simply want me to walk you through the solutions your class participation grade will go down. 

Labs:

Labs will meet in Science G036.  Makeup labs will be provided only in very special cases.  Your lab grade will be based on your pre-labs and lab notebook write-ups.