Physics 106, Fall 2011

Light, Perception, Photography, and Visual Phenomena (3 cr)

Dr. Matt Bobrowsky [Photo of Dr. B.]

Office: 1330 Physics Phone: 301-405-6045

Course Description: The goal of this course is to learn about light and associated phenomena. We will cover a broad range of topics including light, lenses, photography, vision, and color. This is a physics course, so we will approach these subjects with a rationalist perspective. It is intended for non-scientists and will use only basic mathematics.

Blackboard software: Our course will utilize Blackboard software for homework assignments, notes, discussion and announcements. The link to our class is found through https://elms.umd.edu

Office Hours: By appointment. (Most times will probably be all right.)

CORE Info: Phys107 must be taken concurrently with Phys106 in order to meet the CORE Physical Science Lab (PL) requirement. Phys106 taken alone will not satisfy the CORE non-lab science (PS) requirement!

Textbook: Seeing the Light by Falk, Brill, and Stork (Wiley, 1986).

Clickers: We will be using personal response devices. Purchase at the book store - ask for a ResponseCard RF or XR keypad. These will be an important part of your grade so get one and bring to class.

Classes: PHYS 1412 Lecture Hall, MWF 2:00 - 2:50 PM

Homework: Homework will be assigned and collected weekly. The assignments will be posted on our Blackboard website as well as in lecture. Late homework will not be accepted except in the case of illness verified by a doctor's signature.

Exams: There will be three hour exams (I will drop the lowest score after normalization) and a final exam.

Hour exams: Wednesday, Sept. 28; Monday, Oct. 31; Wednesday, Nov. 30

Final exam: Monday, December 19, 1:30-3:30 pm

All exams are closed book, but necessary (and unnecessary!) formulae will be provided.

Make-up exams will be not given for the hour exams since one exam will be dropped.

Extra Help: I will be available for a short time at the end of each lecture, or better, make an appointment to see me in my office. Please seek help at the first sign of difficulties.

Grading: Your grade will be based on the following:

Best two out of three hour exams (25% each)	50%
Homework	10%
Class Participation*	10%
Final Exam	30%

*Clickers are required and will be used in part to assign Participation grades. 10% is a significant fraction of your grade. It will be very difficult to receive an A if you do not come to class and use a clicker.

Note: Grade totals on ELMS do not reflect this weighting nor do they include any adjustments due to class curves.

Academic Integrity: 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.

Disabilities: If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible.

Helpful tips:

1) Read the book before the lecture and refresh yourself after.

2) Do the homework. Collaboration to understand the homework is encouraged, but you must do and turn in the work yourself.

3) Attend the lectures and use your clicker. The lectures, demonstrations, and discussions are how you will learn. Material covered in lecture, but not in the book, may appear on exams. Clickers will be used to count class participation. As noted above clickers are important to your grade. Using someone else's clicker is academic dishonesty and will be treated as such.

4) Talk to your classmates. Trying to explain something to someone else is often the best way for you to fully understand the concept.

5) Ask questions in lecture. There are no stupid questions.