Physics 104 - How Things Work - Summer 2003 Course Policy

Class Meetings: Monday through Friday, 9:30-10:50 - Room 1410 Physics
Required Reading: How Things Work: the Physics of Everyday Life by Louis A. Bloomfield
Instructor: Dr. Roberto Ramos
Office: Physics Room B2125
Office Telephone: 301-405-7581
FAX: (301) 405-3779
Electronic Mail: rramos@glue.umd.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday, Fridays, 11-12 am Room B2125, Physics Building

I am generally around from 9:00am until 5pm. Feel free to stop by my office on the sub-basement of the Center for Superconductivity Research, adjacent to the physics building.
World-Wide Web: http://www.physics.umd.edu/courses/Phys104/ramos/index.html
Course Work: Homework Problem Sets (15 % of Course Grade)
Midterm Exam (35 %  of Course Grade)
Presentation (15 %  of Course Grade)
Final Exam (35 % of Course Grade) not cumulative
A. Problem Sets: Homework questions will require independent thought on your part in order to answer them correctly. You are encouraged to discuss homework problems with one another, but must write up your answers separately and in your own words. Points will be deducted from your homework grade if you use someone else's words or allow them to use your words. 
Late homework will have points deducted. No homework will be accepted after the solutions are posted.
B. Presentations  To be annnounced
C. Exams: 2 80 minute, closed-book, in-class examinations.

The exams will emphasize understanding of concepts so that memorization will be far less valuable for answering the questions than for basic insight into how things work. 

Late Policy: Grade deductions for late work will be given. Exceptions for illness, family illness or death, or religious holidays must be obtained in advance when possible. You must contact me before something is due or before you miss an examination. 
Grading Information: Course grades will be based strictly on your numerical scores for the semester. 
Work not turned in or tests not taken will receive a zero (0 pts), far worse than a failing grade (typically 30 pts or more).