Physics 1C, Section 1626
Room: Phys 108
MW  6:00 pm - 9:10 pm

Course Policies:

     GRADING BREAKDOWN                       TENTATIVE GRADING SCALE 
           EXAMS . . . . 500 points                                900 - 1000    . . A
       HOMEWORK . . 155 points                                800 -  899.9  . . B
             LAB . . . . . 145 points                                670 -  799.9  . . C
             FINAL . . . . 200 points                               550 -  669.9  . . D
             TOTAL      1000 points                                 0   -  549.9  . . F

                         Download Course Information as a Word Document 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, you should be able to;

     1.  solve multiple loop circuit problems using Kirchhoff's rules,

     2.  solve problems using differential and/or integral calculus as well as elementary aspects 

        of vector calculus,

     3.  explain conceptually and/or qualitatively, physical phenomena perhaps too difficult for realistic

        mathematical modeling for problems involving electricity, magnetism, and electronics,

     4.  demonstrate the ability to

        a.  make meaningful measurements using basic mechanical and electrical measuring devices,

        b.  manipulate the collected data using basic error theories,

        c.  report on the outcome of the experiment, and

        d.  explain the result physically.

School Policies:  There are a number of school policies each student should be made aware of, but

     since it would make this "First Day Handout" too lengthy to read, I will indicate which page of the

     current college catalog (2010-2011) this information can be found.  You can purchase a copy at the

(ATTENDANCE)   Roll is taken at the beginning of the period.  If you are late (bad form), please inform the  instructor at the end of class, or you will be marked absent.  A student may be dropped if s/he misses any day the first two weeks of class.  Also, if you  miss more than ten hours of class time up to the end of the semester, you may be dropped.  Being late will be considered as missing  ½-hour of class.  If for any reason you miss 2 or more consecutive meetings please contact the instructor.  It is bad form to drop a class without informing the instructor.

(EXAMS)  There will be 4 closed book exams and the Final Exam.  For each exams, each student may bring a calculator, pencil, eraser, and a 3x5 inch card with anything written on it by his/her own hand.  There are NO make-up exams!   The lowest exam score may be replaced by the product of 0.81 and the average of  the other exams scores.  
     For the Final Exam, you may have either  5 (3x5 in) cards or  1 (8.5x11 in) sheet of paper with anything written on both sides.

(LAB)  READ THE "INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS ON LABORATORY" in the LAB MANUAL !   You will be held responsible for this material.   Lab assignments and their due dates are listed on the  calendar.  Lab reports will be due at the beginning of the class on the dates indicated on the schedule.
     Any report turned in after the lecture starts will lose 1 point per school day for the first week, then you will lose 3 point per school day for the second week.  After the second week, file the report, it may be useful the next time you take this course.  Lab reports, which are handed in should be written in ink, or may be written using a sharp dark pencil.  Points will be deducted for "sloppy" work.
     All lab data must be taken in a bound lab book by each student.  Data sheet must start with the lab number and title, and should include the date done and the name of your lab partner.  The data must be clearly labeled (i.e., Part 1a, 1b, Part 2, etc.) and well organized.  Also include the circuit diagram for each part.   These lab notebooks will be turned in on the last week of class.  
   For each lab, all outside work for that lab write-up, equation used, derivations, and/or calculations must be done in your lab notebook, so leave enough blank pages between labs so you will have enough space.  For each lab where all work is not shown, you will lose 5 points.
     In order to complete the lab in the two-hour period, each person in the group must have his/her lab book organized, so that the data can be efficiently recorded.  You should create your data sheet in your lab book as you read the procedures to the lab in the manual,  BEFORE coming to class.  
     You should be aware that good work habits and your ability to communicate your thoughts are essential to a successful career in engineering or science.  Most employers are less concerned with hiring an exceptionally bright or talented person than they are with hiring a careful, responsible person who does a job right, gets it done by the deadline, and works well with others.

(HOMEWORK)   The HW are due before the lecture starts on the due dates indicated on the schedule.  After the lecture starts, HW will be marked late, and  2 point will be deducted.  After the class  lecture is finished, no HW will be accepted.
     Improving your skill in physics is like improving any skill, for example driving a car. You can listen to many lectures on how to drive a car, but the only way to become proficient is to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE !  The best way to practice physics is to struggle with the homework problems.  This makes the HOMEWORK (HW) one of the most important facet of your learning process.  You should go over all relevant examples in the textbook and those done in class before you start working on the homework.
     Learning physics must be an active process.  You do not learn by listening, you learn by doing.  Start each homework early enough, so that WHEN you get stuck on a problem(s), you will have time to come in and ask for help.
     If you have trouble getting assignments done on time, you are either taking too many units, or working  inefficiently, and/or not spending enough time.  You should average 2-3 GOOD hours out of class for each hour in class. 
       One thing you should never do is copy another student's work and turn it in as your own.  You cannot learn Physics or any subject by doing this.  Also trying to get credit for someone else's work is called plagiarism.  If  I detect that any part of a solution is copied, both papers will be marked as   0   for the entire set, not just that problem.
     The FORMAT (included) for the homework  MUST  be followed.   Points, above and beyond any errors in the problem, will be deducted for errors in the format. 

Syllabus:

Assignments:

Course assignment as a Word Document, click here.

Course Material:

      Physics for Sci. and Eng.(with Modern Physics), Vol. 2,  6th Edition,  by Serway 

    (Lab)   Physics 1C,  by  T. N. Wilson.
                Bound lab book for taking lab data.

Online Resources: (list related websites as links)

Mechanical Universe - Free Video on Demand 
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Getty Center