Phys261_policies.doc, A. Dinsmore

Physics 261: General Physics III (Modern physics), Spring 2006

Instructor: A. Dinsmore

Course Policies

Physics 261 is an introductory course in Modern Physics covering some of the most exciting and intriguing topics in contemporary science.  The principal topics are:

· Electromagnetic and mechanical waves.                              (Ch. 16, 18, 34-38)

· Special theory of relativity.                                                                    (Ch. 39)

· Quantum mechanics (QM).                                                              (Ch. 40, 41)

· Applications of QM to atoms, molecules and solids.                             (Ch. 42-43)

Lecture Time and Place:  MWF, 12:20 – 1:10, Hasbrouck 124.

·Schedules, reading assignments, homeworks and other info is at  

http://courses.umass.edu/phys261   

Prerequisites:  General Physics (Phys 151 & 152)  and  Calculus (Math 233).

Instructor: Professor A. Dinsmore

                        Office: Hasbrouck 404

                        Office tel: 545-3786

                        E-mail: dinsmore@physics.umass.edu

Office Hours:  in Hasbrouck 404 (Hasbrouck addition – the wing closest to the pond)

Monday:      after lecture, 1:15 – 2:15,

Wednesday: after lecture, 1:15 – 2:15,

and by appointment (E-mail is best; I am fairly flexible).

· There are no discussion sections.  SI sessions will be offered, however (see below).

Text:  Serway and Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, 6^th edition, Volume 2 (ch. 23-46), ISBN 0-534-40846-X.  Available at textbook annex. 

               The 5^th edition will also suffice, as there were not many changes. 

               Note that the accompanying CD and Appendices contain useful information.

Supplemental Instruction (SI): SI is a series of “informal, peer facilitated review seminars for a particular course.”  Attendance at these regularly scheduled sessions is voluntary and confidential.  Many students have found it very helpful.  The SI leader for this class will be Luke Miller.  He will attend the lectures to keep abreast of the class.  See http://www.umass.edu/lss/si1.htm for more information.

Course Requirements and Grading:

· Attend all lectures.

· Quizzes on recent lecture topics will be given in class without warning (5% of final grade).  On average, there will be one quiz every 1-2 weeks.

· Read sections in Serway & Jewett on schedule, prior to lecture (schedule is online).

· Homework (OWL and/or written homeworks) (25% of final grade)

· Answers are to be obtained by each student independently.  Consultation with others is allowed, but remember that the exams are more important to the grade than the homeworks.  Relying too heavily on help from others might help your HW grade, but might not improve your overall grade.

· Exams: Two midterms (2 hours each; each is worth 20% of the final grade).  These

will be scheduled for the evening, 7-9pm.

            One final exam (30% of final grade).

Policies: All exams are explicitly required.  No credit will be given for late homework and no makeup exams will be given unless accompanied by a formal letter affirming illness.  No makeup quizzes will be given.