Physics for Biologists II
(Spring 2020) 020x Redish
This is not your parents' physics! This class will focus on the physics relevant to the study of living things from molecules to neurons to microscopes. While physics, chemistry, and biology are well established fields, some of the scientific questions you will explore in this class have only recently been tackled. You will focus on physics at the convergence with biology, where physical, chemical, and biological principles all come into play. Primary themes for this second semester is thermodynamics and random motion, oscillations and waves, and models of light.
What do I have to do to succeed in this class?
This class is not about learning to know physics but learning to do physics.
This means that we will be doing a lot of active learning in the class and using a lot of "formative assessment". You'll lots of small challenging tasks where you may are expected to make mistakes, figure out why, and correct your thinking as a result.
- Expect to spend about 8-10 hours a week outside of class on readings, reading quizzes and homework. (If you find yourself having to spend more than that, come talk to your instructor.)
- Do not expect to get everything right. 90% is NOT required for an A.
- Do not expect to succeed by memorizing!
- When you make a mistake you will need to figure out how to correct your thinking. That's why mistakes are so valuable!
This class has a lot of moving parts. Be sure to follow all the links below so you know what's going on.
- The best advice is DON'T SKIP ANYTHING (at least on a regular basis). Most activities accrue points and missing a large block of anything can have serious implications for your grade.
- Check out the various pieces of the syllabus in the links below arranged as FAQs. Use them to check back regularly to make sure you understand the role of each task. Click on the red title links for details.
If you are having trouble, COME SEE ME. I want all of you to succeed. This is NOT a weedout class. Though some of you will get B's and C's, My distribution is typically 1/4 A's, 1/2 B's, and 1/4 C's. I do NOT want to give out any D's or F's so if you think you're in trouble, come to my office hours or set up an appointment. (Office hours are in the Course Center: Physics 0208.)
Critical for keeping track of what's happening are the links to
- The readings, reading quizzes, and schedule
- The weekly homework
- The schedule of the recitations and labs
Each of the blue titles below is a link to the details of how the class works.
What do I need for this class?
- Prerequisites: bio, chem, math, and Physics 131
- Required: Purchase online apps giving access to homework and in-class activities
- Required: A laptop or smart phone to share answers in lecture
What do I need to do for (and before) each lecture?
- Do the readings
- Do the reading quiz associated with the reading (in Canvas)
- Come to class and participate
What else do I need to do each week?
- Complete the weekly homework (part in Canvas, part on paper)
- Print out the recitation worksheet and go to your recitation section
- Do the pre-lab activity (in Canvas), print out the lab instructions, and go to your lab session.
How do tests work in this class?
- Weekly quizzes (on paper)
- Occasional in-class group quizzes (in Canvas_
- Two full-lecture-period exams
- One final.
These are not traditional exams! Be sure to read the details at the linked page!
- There are many factors involved! Be sure to read the details at the linked page!
- Canvas gives an estimate, but these are not a hard and fast result.
- Class times and locations
- Instructors and how to contact them
- Disability accomodations
- Religious exceptions and other excused absences
- Cheating and the honor code.