Catalog description

This course covers fundamental physical models widely applicable to the undergraduate physics curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the development of problem-solving skills using calculus, advanced algebraic concepts, estimation techniques, and computer modelling.

3 credit hours

Where and when

Prerequisites

Required course materials

Textbook

Typeset notes will be provided by the instructor.

But the following is good background for the material we’ll be covering.

Google Classroom

Grading scheme

The course grade will be based on the cumulative points earned from assignments (in-class and take-home), a midterm test, and a final exam, weighted as follows.

The numerical score (out of 100) will be converted to a letter grade with a corresponding grade point value, following the UM +/– grading system adopted in Fall 2011. The conversion is carried out by matching to the ranges shown in the table below.

In-class test — The tentative midterm test date is listed on this syllabus. Any changes to the date will be announced in class and posted on the class web site; students will be given at least one week’s notice. No make-up test will be given except in cases of verified emergencies.

Assignments — The course puts great emphasis on students’ developing technical mastery in a variety of important physics techniques. Students will be regularly asked to attempt graded problems, both inside and outside of class hours, alone or in groups.

Tentative schedule

Attendance

The university requires that all students have a verified attendance at least once during the first two weeks of the semester for each course. If your attendance is not verified, you will be dropped from the course and any financial aid will be adjusted accordingly. Please see http://olemiss.edu/gotoclass for more information.

Regular attendance is strongly encouraged. During class, I will sometimes present worked problems, give hints and tips about the homework, and provide guidance about where to focus your studies for the tests and exams. In addition, a portion of your grade is derived from responses to questions posed during lectures.

Academic integrity and honesty

Students are expected to adhere to the University of Mississippi Creed and the Standards of Honesty as described in Policy Code ACA.AR.600.001 and the M Book.

Students are reminded that cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Performance on all tests and assignments shall represent the individual work of the student. Those who violate the Standards of Honesty will be reported and subject to the appropriate sanction, which may include expulsion from the University.

Intellectual property

All materials distributed electronically and in hard copy in this class are protected under intellectual copyright. Any attempt to upload these documents to a file sharing service or to profit from their distribution by any means constitutes theft and will be in violation of intellectual property law and the UM Academic Conduct Code unless expressly permitted for by the instructor.

Nondiscrimination policy

The University complies with all applicable laws regarding affirmative action and equal opportunity in all its activities and programs and does not discriminate against anyone protected by law because of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran.

Disability Access and Inclusion

The University of Mississippi is committed to the creation of inclusive learning environments for all students. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your full inclusion and participation, or to accurate assessment of your achievement, please contact the course instructor as soon as possible. Barriers may include, but are not necessarily limited to, timed exams and in-class assignments, difficulty with the acquisition of lecture content, inaccessible web content, and the use of non-captioned or non-transcribed video and audio files. If you are approved through SDS, you must log in to your Rebel Access portal to request approved accommodations. If you are not yet approved through SDS, you must contact Student Disability Services (at 662-915-7128 or sds@olemiss.edu) so the office can (i) determine your eligibility for accommodations, (ii) disseminate to your instructors a Faculty Notification Letter, (iii) facilitate the removal of barriers, and (iv) ensure you have equal access to the same opportunities for success that are available to all students.

Examinations and last week of class

Regulations governing all examinations — A student’s failure to appear for an examination without an acceptable excuse,inability to present valid identification,absence from the room during the course of an examination without the consent of the examiner, or attempting any portion of an examination without submitting his or her answers shall result in failure of the examination. Tardiness beyond 15 minutes forfeits a student’s right to an examination.

Final examinations — A final examination, to be given at the time posted in the examination schedule, is required in each undergraduate course, unless the appropriate chair and dean have approved an exception. A student who has three or four final examinations in one day may arrange with the course instructor to take the noon or 7:30 p.m. examination at another time. In order to give a final examination at any time other than that shown in the posted examination schedule, an instructor must have prior approval of the department chair and dean.

Last week of class — The following guidelines exist to allow sufficient time for students and instructors to prepare for final examinations. These guidelines apply to the week preceding final examinations for undergraduate courses held during Fall and Spring semesters.

• During the period of Wednesday through Friday of the last week of class, instructors are not to give exams, tests, or quizzes that contribute more than 10% of the final grade for a class. An instructor can obtain approval of the department chair and dean to give an exam, test, or quiz, of this weight, during this three day period. Instructors should return graded work and/or inform students of their grades on exams, tests, or quizzes prior to the beginning of finals week.

• Exceptions to the above statement are automatically made for lab-based courses, technical writing courses, seminar courses that assign a term paper, and senior design courses that assign a multi-faceted project in lieu of a final exam. Major projects of the above types, which contribute more than 10% of the final grade and which are due during this Last Week period, should be assigned in the syllabus at the beginning of the semester and any substantial change in the assignment should be made known to students before the drop deadline.