MWF 1:00PM-1:50PM, Physics Room 203
Lectures may also be seen in Physics Rooms 204 and 205 (via television link), and will be on video tape at the Clemons Library Reserve Desk.

"How Thinks Work: the Physics of Everyday Life" by Louis A. Bloomfield

Lou Bloomfield, Professor of Physics
Office: Physics Room 133
Office Telephone: (804) 924-6595
FAX: (804) 924-4576
Electronic Mail: lab3e@virginia.edu

Mondays, 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Thursdays, 11:00AM - 12:00Noon
Fridays, 3:00PM - 4:00PM

Wednesdays, 2:00PM - 2:50PM, Physics Room 203

http://www.phys.virginia.edu/classes/105/home.html

uva.phys.phys105

To be announced

3 Problem Sets (10% of Course Grade Each, 30% Total)
1 Midterm Exam (15% of Course Grade)
1 Term Paper (25% of Course Grade)
1 Final Exam (30% of Course Grade)

Five guided questions per problem set. Questions will required 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 on a Friday and will be due 10 days later on a Monday.

Problem set 1 is due on Monday, September 16, 1996, 1:00PM
Problem set 2 is due on Monday, October 28, 1996, 1:00PM
Problem set 3 is due on Monday, November 11, 1996, 1:00PM

An original discussion of how something works. Term paper may be written individually or in a group of 2 or 3 people.

Length for Individual Term Paper: 1500-1750 words (approximately 5 typed, double spaced pages of text).

Length for a Group Term Paper: 3000-3500 words (approximately 10 typed, double spaced pages of text).

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.

You do not need to get my permission when selecting a topic but I will be glad to assist you up until Monday, November 18, 1996. The term paper is due on Monday, November 25, 1996, 1:00PM.

A fifty-minute, closed-book, in-class examination given on October 11, 1996, 1:00PM-1:50PM.

2/3 of the grade will involve multiple choice questions.
1/3 of the grade will involve short answer 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 October 4, 1996.

A three-hour, closed-book examination given during Finals Week on Monday, December 9, 1996, 9:00AM-12:00Noon.

2/3 of the grade will involve multiple choice questions.
1/3 of the grade will involve short answer 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 December 2, 1996. You must obtain permission from the Dean. No early final exams will be given.

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 me before something is due or before you miss an examination.

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.

Guests and visitors are always more than welcome (except during the exams, naturally). No special permission is required.

Course grades will be based strictly on your numerical scores for the semester. To minimize internal competition within the class, I will consider the numerical scores from previous semesters when I establish the relationship between numerical grades and letter grades.

After each assignment or test, I 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):

Work not turned in or tests not taken will receive a zero (0 pts), far worse that 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.

Add Deadline: Friday, September 13, 1996
Credit/No Credit Deadline: Friday, September 13, 1996
Drop Deadline: Wednesday, September 11, 1996
Withdraw Deadline: Wednesday, October 23, 1996