Outline of Physics 312, "University Physics II"

Course material can be found online at URL

http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys312/phys312.html

Workshop Instructor

Michael Richmond
Building 76, Office 1274
Office phone: 475-2538
FAX: : 475-5988
E-mail: mwrsps@rit.edu

Class hours

 Section 05
   Monday     noon -  1:50 pm   08-3179  workshop
   Tuesday    7:00 -  7:50 pm     TBA    tests (only 3 per quarter)
   Wednesday  noon -  1:50 pm   08-3179  workshop
   Thursday   noon -  1:50 pm   08-3179  workshop

Office Hours

   Monday    11 am -  noon      76-1274                          
   Tuesday   10:00 - 11:00 AM   76-1274     
   Wednesday 11 am -  noon      76-1274
   Thursday   2:00 -  3:00 PM   76-1274

You may call to make an appointment. If my office door is open, feel free to enter. I'm almost always in my office :-(

Grading

There are several components to the final score in this course. The list below is not definitive, but a rough guide to the importance of each component.

   15  percent  in-class quizzes and reports
   15  percent  homework 
   45  percent  (total) tests 
   25  percent  final exam 
    4  percent  optional extra credit assignments (2 percent each)
   -----------
  104  percent

Course grades are based on a total of 100 percent.

At the end of the course, I shall calculate the total score for each student. Based on the overall distribution of scores in the class, I may use the traditional means of assigning letter grades to scores ("A" for greater than 90%, "B" for 80% to 90%, etc.); or I may slide the grade boundaries downward to some degree.

If you know in advance that you will have to miss a test, or if you miss a test unexpectedly, you may request a makeup test.

There will be no makeups for in-class material or homeworks. However, you may do one or two of the Extra Credit assignments to recoup lost credit.

Textbook

University Physics, by Young and Freedman, thirteenth edition. We will work our way through chapters 9-11, 14-16, 33-36 this quarter. Of course, any calculus-based physics textbook will contain pretty much the same material. You might also look at some material describing measurements and calculations based upon them:

Examples of uncertainty calculations and measuring a slope by me.
Uncertainties and Error Propagation by Professor Lindberg.
Graphing by Professor Lindberg.

You will need to purchase a pad of good graph paper for your use in class. The paper must have 10 squares per inch. The RIT bookstore sells a good variety, Ampad 10x10 Cross Section Pad, item #22-026, for $3.95.

RAWR

Professor Scott Franklin, a member of the Physics Department, is studying the way that students learn concepts. He is conducting a study using students in all the University Physics courses. The study may help us to design these courses so that the material is presented to students in a more effective manner in the future.

You may choose to participate in this study, or not to participate; there is no effect on your grade. If you choose to participate, you will be given a quiz to answer once a week; it should take about 10 minutes. Sometimes, the quiz will cover material which you have not seen in class; don't worry, your performance won't affect your grade in any way.

The first E-mails inviting you to participate will be sent next Monday, with "RAWR" in the subject line.

Other resources

There is a Physics Study Center on the first floor of the College of Science. A schedule posted outside the room lists times at which someone will be available to help with questions. You may also contact the Academic Support Center , which provides tutors in daytime and evening sessions. Visit their website to read more about them.

If my office door is open, please feel free to visit.

If you have any special needs, you must inform me during the first week of classes. Otherwise, I may not be able to make arrangements in time to help you. Please contact me after class or at my office.

This page maintained by Michael Richmond. Last modified Nov 25, 2011.