Physics 161 Syllabus

Fall 2006

Contact information

Professor: Markus Luty
Office: PHYS 4119
Phone: (301) 405-6018
E-mail: markusluty(at)gmail.com
Office hours: Wednesdays and Fridays 11–12, or by appointment

TA: Meghan Driscoll
Office: PHYS 4223
E-mail: meghan.driscoll(at)gmail.com
Phone: (301) 405-6192
Office hours: Fridays 1:30–2:30, or by appointment

TA: Ryan Artuso
Office: PHYS 3101
E-mail: artusory(at)gmail.com
Phone: (301) 405-6194
Office hours: TBA

Required Course Materials

Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, Volume 1 by Randall D. Knight. Be sure to get Volume 1 (chapters 1–15) with MasteringPhysics (ISBN 0805389636).
Remote control clicker: This will be used for interactive problem solving in class. If you don't already have one, they are available in the University of Maryland Bookstore. The same clicker is used for all classes at the the University of Maryland.
Sign up for MasteringPhysics: This is an online homework tool that will be used for all homework in this class. To sign up, go to the MasteringPhysics web site. Registration costs $41, payable online. (The textbooks in the University of Maryland bookstore do not include MasteringPhysics access.) You will also need the code for this class, which is LUTYPHYS161F06.

Course Coverage

This course gives an introduction to Newtonian mechanics. The course will cover chapters 1–13 of the text.

Teaching Philosophy

A substantial body of research has shown that lecturing is the least effective way to teach physics. Physics is about solving problems, a skill that can be aquired only by practice. In this class, we will therefore spend most of the class time on doing problems. I will work example problems (with your input), and you will be asked to solve problems in class. My goal is to make class an active learning environment rather than a passive lecture.

This means that there is less time for traditional expository lecture. To make up for this, you will be given assigned reading to do before almost every lecture. You are expected to take the reading assignment seriously, so that we can build on the material in the book and concentrate on solving problems in class. To encourage you to do the reading, there will be a one minute reading quiz at the beginning of about half the classes. The reading quiz will consist of a simple multiple-choice or short-answer question designed to check whether you have done the assigned reading.

This is not some experimental teaching method that I thought up; a large body of research shows that this approach is significantly more effective than traditional lecture courses in introductory physics classes such as this.

Discussion Sections

Discussion sections are there for you to get feedback on homework and exam problems that you have already handed in. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about problems that you have thought about and worked through, and is an important part of the learning process.

Attendance at discussion sections is mandatory. There will be a 5 to 10 minute quiz at the beginning of discussion sections about half the time. A discussion quiz will be a short problem similar to part of one of the homework problems.

Grading

Grading will be on a curve:

The top 15% of students get an A
The next 35% of students get a B
The next 35% of students get a C
The students in the bottom 15% will get a D or F, with the dividing line determined at the end of the semester.

Why grade on a curve? The purpose of grades is to give you feedback on how you are doing, and to give you an incentive to do the work and master the material. Because I grade on a curve, you know exactly how well you are doing at every stage of the class.

Points will be assigned for coursework as follows:

Homework: 30%
Quizzes: 10%
In-class exams: 30%
Final exam: 30%

Homework: There will be a homework assignment due approximately once per week. Homework will be done using the online MasteringPhysics system, but a written assignment must also be turned in to be graded by the TA. For details, see the homework page.

Quizzes: Quizzes are given at the start of lecture or discussion section, and are not announced in advance.

In-class exams: There will be 3 in-class exams. Your lowest exam score will be dropped when computing your final grade. For details, see the exam page.

Final exam: The final exam is comprehensive.

Typical scores: Percentage scores in university physics courses are lower than you are probably used to. A typical exam average is 60%, which is the dividing line between a B and a C. The typical dividing line between an A and a B is about 75%. Since the class is graded on a curve, it does not matter what the average is, but it takes a little getting used to.

Missed Work

Late homework is not accepted unless you have a genuine emergency. Medical emergencies require written documentation.
If you miss an exam for any reason, you cannot make it up for credit. Remember you are allowed to drop your lowest score, so missing an exam does not necessarily lower your grade.
You must take the final to pass the class. There are no exceptions.

The exam schedule is posted on the exam web page.

Academic Integrity

It's very simple: don't cheat, and don't help anyone else to cheat. The consequences of academic dishonesty are serious. For details see the Student Honor Council web site.

Tips for Doing Well

Prepare for class. Do the reading assignments. Show up to class with your questions, and be alert and ready to work!
Participate in class. Take the in-class problems seriously. Participate in discussions and ask questions.

Don't cram. Start the homework early, so that you have time to get help if you get stuck.

See me outside of class. Make the most of my office hours to get individual help on solving problems, advice on how to study more effectively, or discuss anything related to the class.
Practice practice practice. Study for this class by doing problems rather than re-reading the text or your lecture notes. Make sure you really understand the homework problems by reworking them (without looking at the solution), and do additional problems and examples in the text that are similar to the homework problems. The student workbook that comes with your text is also a good source of practice problems.

Revised 9/1/06