Outline of Physics 311, "University Physics I (Workshop)"

Course material can be found online at URL

http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys311/phys311.html

Workshop Instructor

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

Class hours

 Section 04
   Monday     2:00 -  3:50 pm   08-3335  workshop
   Tuesday    6:00 -  6:50 pm     TBA    tests (only 3 per quarter)
   Wednesday  2:00 -  3:50 pm   08-3335  workshop
   Thursday   2:00 -  3:50 pm   08-3335  workshop

Office Hours

   Monday    10:00 - 10:50 am   76-1274  (my office)
   Tuesday    9:00 -  9:50 am   76-1274  (my office)
   Wednesday  noon -  1:00 pm   76-1274  (my office)
   Thursday  10:00 - 10:50 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.

   20  percent  in-class quizzes and reports
   15  percent  homework 
   40  percent  (total) tests 1, 2, 3 
   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. However, you must provide a letter explaining the reason for your absence, which must be signed by you, your academic advisor and the head of your department. Without such a letter, you will receive a score of zero for the test.

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

Textbook

Fundamentals of Physics, by Halliday, Resnick and Walker; we will work our way through most of Volumn 1 in this course. The latest edition is number 8, but any recent edition should be fine. 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 (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. The RIT bookstore sells a good variety, Ampad 10x10 Cross Section Pad, item #22-026, for $5.95.

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.

This page maintained by Michael Richmond. Last modified Nov 29, 2009.