Physics 270, formerly Physics 263, is the third of a three-semester introductory physics sequence designed primarily for engineering students.  The major topics included in the course are magnetism & magnetic fields, alternating circuits, electromagnetic waves & optics, special relativity and an introduction to modern physics & quantum mechanics.  The course consists of three parts -- Lecture, Recitation and Lab.

The course web page, http://www.physics.umd.edy/courses/Phys263/wth/fall03, contains additional information along with links that you will need during the semester. Important announcements regarding exams, changes to the schedule or other items will be issued via messages on WebAssign. Please make a habit of checking for messages frequently. You are responsible for all messages issued through WebAssign.
 
 

Lecture:	MW (16:00-15:15)	All sections	PHY 1410
Recitation:	Th (14:00 -14:50)	Sec. 0101	JMP 3105
	Th (16:00-16:50)	Sec. 0102	PHY 1402
	W (09:00-09:50)	Sec. 0103	PHY 1219
	F (13:00-13:50)	Sec. 0104	PHY 1402

 

Laboratory:

PHYS271, is required. You must complete PHYS271 (do all the labs) in order to pass PHYS 270.  If you believe that you have completed the lab in a previous semester, go to Student Services (PHY 1120) during the second week of this semester to have your grade verified.  The lab is run separately and is organized by Prof. Jawahery this semester. All question specific to the lab should be addressed to your lab TA or Prof. Jawahery.   Please click here for more information regarding the lab.

CORE Lab Science Requirement:

PHYS270 and PHYS271 must be taken in the same semester to count for CORE Lab Science. PHYS270 taken along will NOT count as a non-lab science for CORE.

General Information

Lecture: 
Lecture and the text are your primary source of information for the course. The lecture will consist of derivations, worked examples along with demonstrations designed to enhance what you have read in the text. To extract the most from lecture, you should read the material in the text before it is discussed in class. A quiz is scheduled for the last ten to fifteen minutes of each lecture period on Mondays of the weeks were there is no exam. The quiz will be based on the homework due the previous week.
Recitation: 
The recitation sections will be used to review the major points from lecture each week. Homework from the previous week along with the quiz will also be discussed in the recitation period. You will have a chance to hone your problem solving techniques during the recitation period. You will garner bonus points by attending your recitation regularly; your TA will take attendance.
Homework: 
Homework will be done via WebAssign.  For information on how to get connected click here.  Problem sets will generally be due by 6:00PM each Friday.  Late homework will not be accepted!  For most homework assignments, you have thirty tries to get the problems correct.  Note, each time you submit your answers, even if you have not attempted some of the problems, it is considered a try.  You should do all problems before submitting your results.  WebAssign will tell you if your answers are correct.  Although I encourage you to work with your classmates on your homework assignments to enhance your learning potential and experience, the numbers for the problems will be changed randomly for each student you so each of you will need to calculate your own results.
Quizzes:
A quiz will be given in lecture on Mondays approximately every week there is no exam scheduled. The solution will be discussed and your quizzes returned during recitation.  The quizzes will be based on the previous weeks homework assignment and closed book!
Exams:
There will be two midterm exams given on lecture days and one final exam. You must take the final to pass the course! The dates of the exams are listed in the schedule.  All exams will be closed book. You will be allowed one 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper (front and back) for notes. 
A single make-up exam covering the entire semester will be given the last day of class. This exam is open to all students and can be used to replace your lowest midterm score. If you miss an exam, this test can be used in its place. There will be no other make-up exams so if you miss more than one your will receive zero points for the additional missed exams. 
Calculators:
You can use a standard scientific calculator to all exams. Your calculator should provide arithmetic, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic functions, and arbitrary roots and powers. 
Grade Budget: 



Homework	15%
Quizzes	10%
Midterm Exams	25%
Final Exam	25%
Laboratory	25%

Bonus Points
There are various ways to earn bonus points.  Those who attend discussion sections regularly will receive the benefit of the doubt in borderline cases.  Generally, there will be a bonus question on exams.  Finally, there could be one or more pop quizzes in lecture. 

Letter Grades
Final letter grades are based upon the distribution of class scores and will not be known until the end of the semester. Recognizing that the actual divisions will most likely be different, you may use the following as an approximate guide.




A:	100 - 80%
B:	70 - 80%
C:	55 - 70%
D:	45 - 55%
F:	0 - 45%

Regardless of your point accumulation, if you do not take and pass the lab you will have earned an F! 

Again, you must take the final and pass the lab to pass the course!