Note: You are responsible for all material covered in the textbook Ch. 16-27, unless specifically excluded by Prof. Barnett.  This means it may not be mentioned in lecture, but it is still testable.  We use several different ways to help you learn the material, but in the final analysis you have to learn it yourself.  The course itself consists of several components which are described below.  All of them are very important, but remember none of them can replace your own effort. Here is how the course is structured.

LECTURES:

Lectures are Thursday and Friday 10:30-11:50 am.

In lectures, we discuss the basic aspects of the material. In particular, we discuss the qualitative aspects of the topics covered.  This is of utmost importance in developing your intuition.  Without it, one is really unable to solve problems. We do not work out many problems in detail during the lectures, but some examples are worked out to the extent that they facilitate understanding the root physical concepts.   Spend time scanning the material BEFORE you come to each lecture so that you know before hand what material is most difficult for you. 

DEMONSTRATIONS:

A significant amount of time during the lectures is spent on demonstrations.  They are designed to illustrate the principles we discussed and to help you develop your physical intuition.  As different phenomena are shown to you, try to figure out what will happen next.  When it's different from what you think, be sure to figure out why .

CONFERENCE:

Conferences are on Tuesday Morning at 8am.  Your TA name and conference room will be posted on the General Physics Bulletin Board in Bloomberg (2nd floor lobby in the Teaching Wing).   The conferences offer an opportunity for discussing and working out problems related to the material presented during the lectures.   Here you can learn the technical skills required to solve physics problems you encounter in your career.  Remember that conference participation accounts for 5% of your grade, and quizzes, which account for 15% of your grade, will often be given during the conferences.

EXAMS:

There will be two one-hour exams and a three-hour final exam.   These exams are closed book, but you may bring one 3"x5" index card to each hour exam containing formulas, etc.  Both sides of the card can be used. Three cards may be brought to the final exam.

Make up exams will not be given.  If a doctor's note or an excuse from a University sponsored event, i.e. sporting event, is provided, the missed exam will count neither for nor against your final grade, but there will be no make up.  Note:   If the exam is missed due to a University sponsored event, the excuse must be presented prior to the exam date.

Exams constitute 70% of your total grade.

QUIZZES:

There will be about half a dozen unscheduled closed book 10-15 minute quizzes during the lectures and conferences throughout the semester.  They are designed to encourage you to get fully involved in the class, keep at pace through the semester, and serve as quick feedback on your level of understanding.

Quizzes constitute 15% of your total grade.

HOMEWORK:

Weekly homework assignments are due 8am Tuesdays at your assigned conference.  They are designed to raise your knowledge to the required skill level and test the thoroughness of your understanding.  Having digested the material by using the presentation in the lectures, by reading the textbook, and by discussing it with your peers, you will work BY YOURSELF on the problems assigned.  Both the homework assignments and the conference sections serve the same purpose, viz. to make sure that you can function independently, as any physicist does, in approaching a problem.  While we encourage you learn and discuss material with your peers, you are required to work on your homework assignment independently, so that you don't miss the chance of training and testing yourself independently.

Homework will account for 10% of your grade.

GRADES:

The final grade will be assigned based on the following:
 

Hourly exam #1:   Tuesday, March 13, 8-9 am.  Hourly exam #2:   Tuesday, April 17, 8-9 am.  Final Exam:   Friday, May 11, 9am - 12noon Homeworks: Conference: Quizzes:

15% 15% 40% 10% 5% 15%

SOURCES OF HELP:

Your TA will have official office hours.

A graduate student TA will be available in the Tutoring Room, Bloomberg 352, from 1-5 pm, Monday-Wednesday; 1-4pm Thursday-Friday.

Undergraduate physics majors from The Society of Physics Students will be available for tutoring on Sundays and Thursdays from 7-10pm in room 274 Bloomberg.

    Due to the large amount of material your own departments ask us to cover, this is a rather fast paced course.  Be sure to ask for help immediately as soon as you sense any difficulty with the material so that your troubles do not accumulate. Please  do not hesitate to call upon your TA, the TA manning the help room, Leslie Hebb (your senior TA), or Prof. Barnett if you need help. Members of the Society of Physics Students are also there to help you.  Ask for help as soon as you feel that you have trouble following the material in the course.  It is all in your hands.  It is important that you take full advantage of these opportunities. In particular, you should attend all the lectures and conference sessions. Physics can be learned only by doing.  It is not a spectator sport.