Reading assignments from the course textbook will be found in the accompanying schedule sheet and on the web site, and will be given in class. You will be expected to have read the assigned chapter of the text by the class meeting for which the assignment is listed. Changes from the posted schedule will be announced in class and posted on the web site. The course will thoroughly cover the first eight chapters of the textbook as well as short segments from other chapters.
Lectures will closely follow the material in the text, and will be enhanced by demonstrations, audiovisual aids, and other teaching materials, in addition to further discussion of important issues. Because this is a participatory, demonstration-based class, the lectures are considered an integral part of the course work, and frequently contain material that will be found on tests. Class attendance is therefore strongly suggested. Changes from the posted schedule will be announced in class and posted on the class web site.
Homework assignments and their due dates will be announced in the lectures and posted on the web site. No homework will be accepted after the beginning of class on the due date. Homework solutions will be posted on the PHYS 102 web site. Material covered by the homework assignments will frequently be found on tests, so it is in your best interest to carry out and understand your assignments. Homework will be graded and returned in class as soon as practical.
No regular office hours have been set aside at this time, primarily because in general they are not used. However, I consider it important that I be available to answer questions and discuss class material as needed by class members. Therefore, if you are having trouble with the material or would like to ask questions about assignments, please do not hesitate to see me after class to ask specific questions or to make an appointment for an office visit.
Before each test there will be at least one review session, generally lasting about two hours or until all questions are answered. A survey will be made in class to determine the best date and time for this review.
There will be two one-hour tests, as shown on the accompanying schedule sheet and on the web site. If you miss either of these hourly tests, you may take the MAKE-UP TEST, which is a cumulative test like the FINAL but only covering the material from the first two tests. Your normalized MAKE-UP TEST score will then be used in place of the missed test.
Your final point score will be determined as follows:
| Hourly test #1 | 100 points |
| Hourly test #2 | 100 points |
| FINAL EXAM | 200 points |
| Problems | 100 points |
| TOTAL: | 500 points |
A histogram of the point scores will then be made, and your course grade will be determined as follows:
| Top 20% | A |
| Next 40% | B |
| Next 30% | C |
| Bottom 10% | "Other" |
To qualify for a D, you must "distinguish yourself among your peers." Two ways to distinguish yourself are failure to take the tests and failure to turn in homework assignments in a timely manner, leading to a significantly lower total point score. A grade of F will in general be reserved for those who do not finish the class but fail to formally withdraw. If neither of these situations applies, no D or F grades need be given.
The laboratory, PHYS 103: PHYSICS OF MUSIC LABORATORY, is a separate course, and you must register as a separate line item. To get CORE credit for a physical science laboratory course, you must complete PHYS102 AND PHYS103 concurrently.
The Student Honor Council respectfully requests that faculty members place the following passage in their course syllabi in order to inform students of the consequences of academic dishonesty:
"The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html."