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Class Meetings: |
MWF 1:00PM-1:50PM, Physics Room 203 (Lou Bloomfield) |
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Required Reading: |
"How Thinks Work: the Physics of Everyday Life" by Louis A. Bloomfield |
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World-Wide Web Site: |
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Instructor: |
Lou Bloomfield, Professor of Physics |
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Office Hours: |
Mondays, 10:00AM - 11:30AM in Alderman Cafe (at Alderman
Library) |
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Discussion/Help Sessions: |
Sundays, 6:00PM – 8:00PM, Physics Room 203 (Matt George) |
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Teaching Assistant: |
Matt George, Physics Major and Fourth Year College Student |
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Course Work: |
10 Problem Sets (3% of Course Grade Each, 30% Total) |
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A. Problem Sets: |
A couple of guided problems per set. Questions will require independent thought on your part in order to answer them correctly. You are encouraged to discuss problem set problems with one another but must write up your answers separately and in your own words. Points will be deducted from your problem set if you use someone else's words or allow them to use your words. Each problem set will be issued via the web on a Friday and will be due 10 days later on a Monday (except for PS 5 and PS6, which will be due on Wednesday). Submission, grading, and solutions will occur only over the web. See the course web site for the link and instructions. Problem set 0 is an ungraded orientation exercise--it is intended to help you understand the web submission system and to verify that your course records are set up properly. Problem set 0 is due on Monday, Sept 4, 2000, 1:00PM |
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B. Term Paper: |
An original discussion of how something works. Term paper may be written individually or in a group of 2 or 3 people. Submission and grading will occur only over the web. See the course web site for the link and instructions. Length for Individual Term Paper: 1500-1750 words. Length for a Group Term Paper: 3000-3500 words. Additional pages detail what is expected in a term paper, a list of topics used by previous students, a list of topics that are not permitted, and a sample grading sheet for the term paper. In general, you may not write about an object that is discussed extensively in my book, in class, or on my web pages. If you’re uncertain whether a topic is acceptable, ask me. While you do not need to get our permission when selecting a topic, we will be glad to assist you up until Monday, Nov 20, 2000. The term paper is due on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2000, 1:00PM. |
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C. Midterm Exam: |
A fifty-minute, closed-book, in-class examination given on Friday, Oct 13, 2000, 1:00PM-1:50PM. 2/3 of the grade will involve multiple-choice questions. The exam will emphasize understanding of concepts so that memorization will be far less valuable for answering the questions than basic insight into how things work. Compelling reason for an alternate midterm exam time will be considered only up until Friday, Oct 6, 2000. |
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D. Final Exam: |
A three-hour, closed-book examination given during Finals Week on Monday, Dec 11, 9:00AM-12:00Noon. 2/3 of the grade will involve multiple-choice questions. The exam will emphasize understanding of concepts so that memorization will be far less valuable for answering the questions than basic insight into how things work. Compelling reason for taking the final exam late, as a 1-hour oral examination, will be considered only up until Monday, Dec 4 (the College deadline for such requests). You must obtain permission from the Dean. No early final exams will be given. |
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Late Policy: |
Specific grade deductions for late work and final deadlines are discussed on the list of course rules. Exceptions for illness, family illness or death, religious holidays must be obtained in advance. You must contact us before something is due or before you miss an examination. |
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Meeting Place: |
If you do not know anyone with whom to discuss the problem sets, meet in Clemons Library on the 4th floor at 2:00PM on the Saturday before a problem set is due. Look for other people carrying the textbook. |
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Guests and Visitors: |
Guests and visitors are always more than welcome (except during the exams, naturally). No special permission is required. |
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Grading Information: |
Course grades will be based strictly on your numerical scores for the semester. To minimize internal competition within the class, we will consider the numerical scores from previous semesters when we establish the relationship between numerical grades and letter grades. After each assignment or test, we will provide an individual report to each student via email. This report will include an estimated letter grade for that assignment or test so that you can gauge your situation as the semester progresses. Your course numerical grade is determined by summing your scores on the problem sets, the exams, and the term paper (weighted by the factors mentioned previously): (Problem Set #1 Score) x 0.03 Work not turned in or tests not taken will receive a zero (0 pts), far worse than a failing grade (typically 30 pts or more). If you are taking this course Credit/No Credit, your course letter grade must be at least a C- to receive Credit. |
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Grading Incentive: |
If you select a topic for your term paper promptly and submit that topic via the EClass site by Monday, Nov 20, 2000 at 1:00PM, we will drop your lowest problem set score when computing your semester grade. This arrangement applies to both individual and group term papers. |
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University Deadlines: |
Drop Deadline: Wednesday, Sept 13, 2000 |