Outline of Physics 216, "University Physics I (Workshop)"

Course material can be found online at URL

http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys216/phys216.html

Workshop Instructor

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

Class hours

 Section 01
   Monday    10:10 - 12:10 pm  GOS-3125  workshop
   Tuesday    7:00 -  8:20 pm     TBA    tests (only 3 per quarter)
   Wednesday 10:10 - 12:10 pm  GOS-3125  workshop
   Thursday   9:30 - 10:50 am  GOS-3130  short workshop
   Friday    10:10 - 12:10 pm  GOS-3125  workshop

Office Hours

   Monday     1:00 -  2:00 pm   76-1274  (my office)
   Wednesday  1:00 -  2:00 pm   76-1274  (my office)
   Thursday   noon -  1:00 pm   76-1274  (my office)
   Friday     9:00 - 10:00 am   76-1274  (my office)

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.

   21  percent  in-class quizzes and reports
   15  percent  homework 
   48  percent  (total) tests 1, 2, 3 
   16  percent  final exam 
    4  percent  optional extra credit assignments (2 percent each)
   -----------
  104  percent

Course grades are based on a total of 100 percent. If the final exam score is higher than the lowest test score, it shall replace that score.

At the end of the course, I shall calculate the total score for each student. I will use the traditional means of assigning letter grades to scores: "A" for greater than 90%, "B" for 80% to 90%, etc.

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. In order to request a makeup, you must fill out the following form and submit it to the Physics Department Office.

Look for the makeup exam request form at the School of Physics and Astronomy student page

There will be no makeups for in-class material or homeworks.

Textbook

There is no required textbook for this course. However, I recommend very strongly that you purchase some textbook to help you over the next few years. Just about any calculus-based physics textbook should be fine. Two good choices are:

University Physics , by Young
Fundamentals of Physics, by Halliday, Resnick and Walker

There is a freely accessible on-line textbook which some of our instructors recommend:

Openstax University Physics, Vol I

You will NOT need the Mastering Physics access code for this course.

You might also look at some material describing measurements and calculations based upon them:

Uncertainties and Error Propagation by Professor Lindberg (PDF).
Graphing by Professor Lindberg (PDF).
Using a Vernier Caliper 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 (or, if that type is sold out, 8 squares per inch). The RIT bookstore sells two good varieties, each for about $6.

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 Learning Development Center, in the Eastman Building, second floor. The Office of Special Services can arrange one-on-one tutorial sessions for qualified students.

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.

RIT is committed to providing a safe learning environment, free of harassment and discrimination as articulated in our university policies located on our governance website. RIT's policies require faculty to share information about incidents of gender based discrimination and harassment with RIT's Title IX coordinator or deputy coordinators, regardless whether the incidents are stated to them in person or shared by students as part of their coursework.

If you have a concern related to gender-based discrimination and/or harassment and prefer to have a confidential discussion, assistance is available from one of RIT’s confidential resources on campus (listed below).

The Center for Women & Gender: Campus Center Room 1760; 585-475-7464; CARES (available 24 hours/7 days a week) Call or text 585-295-3533.
RIT Student Health Center - August Health Center/1st floor; 585-475-2255.
RIT Counseling Center - August Health Center /2nd floor - 2100; 585-475-2261.
The Ombuds Office - Student Auxiliary Union/Room 1114; 585-475-7200 or 585-475-2876.
The Center for Religious Life - Schmitt Interfaith Center/Rm1400; 585-475-2137.
NTID Counseling & Academic Advising Services - 2nd Floor Lynden B. Johnson; 585-475-6468 (v), 585-286-4070 (vp).

This page maintained by Michael Richmond. Last modified Jan 15, 2018.