CSUSB
PHYSICS 100, SECTION 01
Spring
2011
Timothy D. Usher, Ph.D.
http://physics.csusb.edu/~tusher/
Office: PS-113
Telephone: 537-5410
e-mail: tusher@csusb.edu
Physics Office: PS-119, Telephone: 537-5397, www page "http://physics.csusb.edu"
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 3:50-4:50 (i.e. after class).
Required Textbook:
Other available materials: New textbooks are often bundled with other
things such as on-line materials.
However, it is not required. Also available is the Active on-line
Physics simulations. eBook available through the CSUSB
Library on line: Schaum's Easy Outlines. College
Physics; eBook ISBN: 0071.
Other good books: Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt, and Physics for
Poets by Robert March.
Videos: Mechanical Universe (available on line at http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html )
Computer software: PS 103; I will announce the user id and password in
class. (please remind me). Also access to the www is
available there. Computer accounts for all students are available in the
"wedge" of the library.
Laboratory manuals, in electronic format, will be supplied at your first
lab session. The cost of the manual is covered by your lab fee.
Library Reserved Reading: Homework solutions and other materials will be
made available at the reserved reading desk and via electronic reserves in the
library and at the library web site. http://libcat.lib.csusb.edu/search/p
You will need the course passcode: uts11100 (all
lower case)
Prerequisite: completion of the general education requirement in
mathematics. Corequisite:
Physics 100 Laboratory
Note: An F in laboratory results in an automatic F in
class!!!!
Blackboard: I do not use blackboard. I use my web page: http://physics.csusb.edu/~tusher/
General course goals: My goals as your professor are as follows:
1. Help you overcome any math/physics phobias.
2. Help you improve your ability to think.
Physics is a challenging field of study but that is part of the fun.
If you are prepared to meet the challenge it can be a very rewarding
experience. Make sure you have allowed adequate quality time to spend on
the subject. It is recommended that you
allow at least two hours of study for every hour you are in class or
laboratory.
COURSE TOPICS
MotionEnergy and momentumOscillations and Waves Electricity and magnetismQuantum Physics (just a little taste)Atomic and Nuclear
TESTS (opportunities to demonstrate what you have learned)
The best way to prepare for the tests is to keep up with the reading assignments and the homework assignments. Cramming the night before a test does not make-up for neglecting your studies throughout the quarter.
You are allowed to have one 3" x 5" note card for each test and the final. You may write any information on this card you wish. No micro-writing is allowed. The writing must be of reasonable size (larger than 1/8 inch). This will be checked and illegal cards will be confiscated during the test leaving you without a card! Calculators are allowed but palm or lap computers are not allowed. Calculators which can communicate with other calculators via wireless communication are not allowed.
The tests will be multiple choice type tests. The tests may be different from any tests you may have experienced before. The tests do not only test how well you remember the material; they are primarily intended to test how well you can use the material to solve new problems or answer new questions. The final will concentrate primarily on the second half of the course. However, the very nature of physics is comprehensive, so you should not forget what you learned in the first half.
The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15, 2:00 – 3:50 pm.
ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments will be in three parts: reading, questions, and problems. The assignments will be written on the blackboard at the beginning of each class. Assigned reading will include the material to be covered in the next lecture.
Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, I will not be collecting the homework to be graded. HOWEVER, IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS. Students that do not do the homework assignments do not do well on the tests.
I strongly urge you to form study groups. I will pass out a sign-up sheet to help facilitate this. Studies have shown that physics students that are members of study groups make better grades. I feel that it is particularly important for this course, because it provides you with an opportunity to discuss physics concepts such as those raised by the questions.
Physics requires certain skills as well as knowledge. Solving problems will help you develop those skills just as playing scales helps a pianist or tackling practice helps a football player. Thinking carefully about the assigned questions should help you to demonstrate the deep understanding necessary to do well on the tests.
I will try to arrange at least some office hours to help you with the assignments. Also, some physics majors are paid as tutors and usually hold sessions in PS 104 (Physics study/snack room). By the way, you are welcome to use PS 104 as a study room. I will try to have solutions available in the library electronic reserves http://libcat.lib.csusb.edu/search/p Tuesday after class. Please keep me reminded about this.
The different components of the course will carry the following weights:
Midterm 37.5%
Final Exam
37.5%
Laboratory
25.0%
Grading scale:
100 - 95 A
94 - 90 -A
89 - 85 +B
84 - 80 B
79 - 75 -B
74 - 70 +C
69 - 65 C
64 - 60 -C
59 - 55 +D
54 - 50 D
49 - 45 -D
45 or less F
I
do not grade on a "curve". You do not want me to grade on a curve.
That would mean that a certain percentage of the class MUST fail. I would be
delighted if everyone earned a good grade in the course. Physics is challenging
enough without artificial competition, so let’s all work together. I am
an experimental physicist, so I treat grading as a measurement with an associated
uncertainty. I will add the uncertainty to the final grades. However it is
almost always less than 5 points.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- YOU are ultimately the one who decides what this course will be to
you.
- Enjoyable; if you let yourself
enjoy; removing all mental blocks and negative attitudes.
- VALUABLE for a professional career
- Good Grade if you do the following:
- put in quality time.
- do the assigned reading before
coming to class
- ask questions
- work/answer and understand all
of the assigned problems/questions
- do well on your laboratory work
- demonstrate a deep understanding on the
midterm and final
- I strongly urge you to form study groups. A sign-up sheet will be
circulated to facilitate this.
- I also strongly urge you to make frequent use of my office hours. I
have noticed that "regulars" at office hours typically do better in
the course.
- You should strive for the big picture first before focusing on the details.
- Keep this syllabus and look at it! It is also available at my web site.
- Honesty is expected. Dishonesty will be dealt with harshly. Anyone caught
cheating may receive a failing grade for the course!
- Be sure to ask questions. The only dumb question is the one left unasked.
- A study room is available (PS-104). You may even, on occasion, find a strange
beast in there: a physics professor.
- Be sure to see me if you have any problems. We are all human and deserve to
be treated as such.
- If you have a concern about your grades, be sure to speak with me before
taking any drastic measures.
- Audio/Visual aids (films, videos, computer programs, etc.) are available. The
series "The Mechanical Universe" is particularly recommended.
- Many services are available at the University. See Bulletin for details.
And many more; see the Bulletin http:/catalog.csusb.edu (this is a huge
file) or purchase a hard copy from the bookstore.