Fall Semester 2006
MWF Periods 2 and 4
(9:05 to 9;55 and 11:15 to 12:05; Room 202 Physics)
Physics 1111 is the first semester of a two semester course in introductory Physics. As a student in the course, you will learn the laws of mechanics including NewtonÕs laws and the various conservation laws for energy and momentum. We will also touch upon wave motion and thermodynamics in this semester. We hope to be able to gain an understanding on the way things around us work. Phys 1111 requires a working knowledge of simple trigonometry and college algebra.
PHYS 1111 is a four credit course. You have been assigned to a laboratory section which meets once a week for two hours. The laboratory is required and no course grade will be assigned until the lab requirement is completed.
The textbook is Physics (volume 1, 3rd Edition) by J.S. Walker (Pearson, Prentice Hall). The lab manual is Experiments for Introductory Physics Course by R.M. Wood. You must also have available an inexpensive scientific calculator that permits work with trig functions and square roots. Programmable calculators, PDAÕs and cell phones will not be permitted in class or during examinations.
If you are a Physics or Astronomy major, or are entertaining that possibility, then Phys 1211 is probably a better course for you. Please see Professor Mike Geller or Professor Scott Shaw to get advice on this matter.
II. Resources for the Student
http://www.physast.uga.edu/classes/phys1111/yen
The page contains
information about the course, the syllabus, homework problem solutions, practice
exams, exam keys and links to other websites. Make sure you are referring to
the proper class and section when looking at the exam keys and the likes.
My office is in Room 215 Physics Bldg and my door is always opened. I will have an official office hour every M and W at 2PM. If this hour doesnÕt suit you, you can always make an appointment at a mutually convenient time by talking to me after the class period or by phone 706-542-2491 or by e-mail (wyen@physast.uga.edu) . As noted above, my office door is always opened and you are welcomed to drop in any time with questions or concerns. I will make the necessary time for you. I have a group website at physast.uga.edu/~wyen which describes some of research group activities.
The publisher maintains a companion website to the textbook; the URL is http://physics.prenhall.com/walker/ or an earlier version /Walkerphysics/. These sites contain helpful materials which would increase your familiarity with the textbook.
Various tutors and tutorial services are available through the UGA Tutorial Program and through the Department if you think you can benefit from these services.
You will be responsible for all the materials which are assigned in the syllabus, discussed or announced in class. Being absent does not relieve you from these responsibilities. The portions of the textbook which are assigned should be perused prior to the class period so that questions can be asked if the need arises.
The assigned problems should be worked prior to looking at the posted solutions. As much of the work in this course involves solving math problems, practice in this area is essential in tackling the hour examinations and the final. My exam questions are clones from the homework assignments. Generally, we will not be asking you to turn in assignments until it becomes obvious that you are not fulfilling your responsibilities to yourself.
Attendance of lab is mandatory as the lab is an integral part of the course. If you miss a lab or have questions concerning the lab see Mr. B (Barnello) in room 319 Physics. Your lab grade contributes significantly to your final grade.
You should be aware of the rules concerning withdrawals and incompletes. These rules are published in the UGA Undergraduate Bulletin. The following passage is of particular note:
ÒAn undergraduate student who withdraws from a course or is withdrawn by the instructor for excessive absences prior to the midpoint of the semester is assigned a W or WF by the instructor. A student who withdraws or is withdrawn for excessive absences after the midpoint of the semester is assigned a grade of WF, except in cases in which the student is doing satisfactory work and the withdrawal is recommended by the Office of Student Affairs because of emergency or health reasons.Ó
My policy is to allow withdraw with a W up to the midpoint of the course no questions asked. After midpoint, the grade is W or WF as dictated by circumstances as noted in the above statement.
We take the University policy on academic honesty very seriously and we will enforce the policy to its utmost.
Your final numerical grade in the course will be calculated by adding together 60% of your average on the four hour tests, 25% of your final score and 15% of your lab grade. Your average on the hour exams will be calculated after dropping your lowest test score and replacing it with the final exam score. This can only help since the dropping and replacement will not take place if the final score is lower than all the hourly exam scores.
If your final numerical grade is 88.00 or above, you will earn an A; if it is 78.00 or above , you will be assigned a B. The cut offÕs for C and D will be determines at the end of the semester.