PHYSICS 131 Marion Campus (Autumn 2000)

Prof. Gordon Aubrecht

326 Morrill Hall

MWR 15:00 to 17:00

Office Hours: F 11:00 & by arrangement

Laboratory F 15:00 to 17:00

Required Text: Aubrecht, Models of Reality. This will be given free in CD form. Download Chapter 1

Also required is Aubrecht, Bolland, and Ziegler Doing Physics with Spreadsheets, Prentice Hall, 2000, and Van Heuvelen, ActivPhysics 1, Addison-Wesley, 1998.

Full participation in lecture, recitation, and laboratory is necessary to assure your success in your study of physics. Grades will be based on performance in recitation, on the journal's weekly entries, quizzes, midterms, the final examination, your lecture notes, and the laboratory. A passing grade in laboratory is required to pass Physics 131. Since laboratories are offered only once, no make-up is possible for missed labs. No make-up examinations are allowed by physics departmental course policy. See the tips from the Academic Advisors for success in studying in college.

Grade Weights: Laboratory: 15%; each midterm: 12.5%; final: 25%; journal: 10%; quizzes: 15%; recitation: 10%. This grade is NOT curved, though there is some "magic" between the scores on the midterms and final (obviously 100 points is not 12.5 points, it must be multiplied by 0.125 times an appropriate factor).

The journal consists of notes written to me on topics that are assigned weekly by me during the quarter. They will be sent to me by email at aubrecht@mps.ohio-state.edu. Include your name and email address in each journal. Everyone completing all journal entry assignments will retain the full 10%; one missing assignment will lower this to 8%; two missing assignments will lower this to 6%; etc. If more than five assignments are missed, there will be negative credit given for the journal, up to -10%. Journals are due Wednesdays at the start of class.

Quiz grades are made up of both preclass and inclass quizzes and any group quiz scores. Preclass quizzes must be submitted before the start of class. No late quizzes will be accepted.

Recitation grade includes participation in recitation (volunteeering to do problems at the board), filling out the daily questions, and correcting the book and the prof.

The lecture notes from my notebook are available on the web at Lecture Notes. These are very sketchy (I create a new lecture each time), but it will help you to have read them (and the book) before class. During the class, you will take notes based on the class discussion. It is our observation that many students do not know how to make proper lecture notes, so I am willing help you learn and grade them 0 (missing or mostly imprecise, poorly directed, or incorrect), 1 (incomplete or partially incorrect), or 2 (substantially complete and correct) until you feel you have the idea.

Solutions to the homework problems will be placed on reserve [library use only] at some time after they are considered in recitation. A copy of an old midterm will be placed on reserve shortly before the first midterm for your use in studying. No class notes or other course materials and study aids may be reproduced or distributed without my express written permission.

Recitation and lecture assignments refer to end-of-chapter problems or problems handed out in class. There will be supplemental assignments [denoted S], assignments for you to work on your own, which will not be discussed in lecture or recitation, nor will the solutions be placed in the library. Spreadsheet problems are labeled SP. You are responsible for all assigned sections in the book and the lecture material. All topics may, of course, be discussed with me during my office hours or after class.

You are welcome to work together in groups on these homework, any group quizzes, and supplemental problems assigned (but not on midterms, final, or quizzes). In fact, group study is generally helpful in your work in physics. At least one question per exam will be taken directly from the relevant supplemental [S] assignments. SS refers to assignments to be handed in from Aubrecht, Bolland, Ziegler; chapter pages are pulled out along the perforations and handed in.

FINAL (comprehensive) EXAMINATION: Wednesday, 6 December 2000, 15:00--16:48.

take me to Gordon's home page

take me to the journal assignments

take me to the lecture notes

take me to the quiz page

aubrecht@mps.ohio-state.edu [latest revision, 31 October 2000]