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Instructor:
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Dr. Sergio
Fabi
Office: 321, Gallalee Hall, Box. 870324,Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487-0324
Phone: (205) 348-6239, Fax: (205) 348-5051. Email: fabi001@bama.ua.edu |
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Graduate Assistants:
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Jason Carson
Office: 317,Gallalee Hall, Box. 870324,Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487-0324
Phone: (205) 348-0826, Fax: (205) 348-5051. Email: jccarson1@bama.ua.edu |
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Undergraduate Assistant:
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Kurt Barry
Email: kmbarry1@bama.ua.edu
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| Time and Place: | Lectures: Monday and Wednesday 11:00 am-12:50 am (Room 203, Gallalee Hall). |
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Recitation: Friday 11:00 am-11:50 am (Room 203,
Gallalee Hall).
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Office Hours:
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Monday 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. (Room 317, Gallalee Hall)
or by appointment.
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Physics Help Desk
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Click here
Room 329
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Text Used:
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Prerequisite:
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Credit:
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4 hours
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PH101 Web Site:
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| Course Number: | 48392 Section 003 |
Learning Objectives:
This class will introduce scientific methods for find, appreciate and
report facts about Nature. As Galileo said "Mathematics is the
language God uses to write the book of nature."
The lecture sections will emphasize the methology of the Science: the
discipline for seeking knowledge based on these three basic ingredients:
1) Observations
2) Formulation of a scientific theory
3) Experimental verifications
The lecture part will be focusing on the second point above, based on a historic approach to the problem, development of a formal introduction of the class materials and its applications. The laboratory part of the class will introduce the measurement techniques, data handling and analysis. The recitation will contain worked out examples (problems), similar to those assigned in the homework and exams. During this course, students should develop a qualitative and quantitative understanding of basic topics which are: kinematics in one and two dimensions, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, conservation of energy, linear momentum, collisions, rotational motion, oscillations, gravitation, fluids, wave motion (including sound), and heat.
It is expected that the students
read the appropriate textbook section before each class.This
is essential for being able to follow the class and for achieving a good
grade. You have to think of the book being not just a support for the class,
but as the starting point for your own studing. Because of time limitations,
lectures are necessarily brief, students should use class time to clarify
questions regarding the reading material. This can happen through discussions
with their peers or the instructor.
The understanding of basic mathematics, as covered e.g. in Math 101,
is thus an essential class pre-requisite. It is expected that the students
are familiar with algebra, quadratic equations, and systems of equations,
trigonometry, powers and logarithms. Knowledge of calculus is not required
to follow this class.
Class Format:
The course will emphasize fundamental concepts and problem-solving techniques
of physics using interactive instruction, computer-based techniques, and
cooperative learning. There will be no separate lab and lecture section.
It is a good idea to keep notes as some of the in-class examples will be
similar to the exam problems. This should encourage class attendance.
The group in-class activities will include lab experiments and exercises.
The exercises will consist of real-world problems and computer simulations.
The one-hour Friday class will be a recitation devoted to problem solving
and quizzes. The topic in the quizzes will be about what has just been
cover in class on Tuesday and Thursday.
It is essential that you read the textbook, as the lectures
will not cover all the material. Make sure to study the introduction to
each chapter: it is easy and very helpful to understand the motivations.
Students are expected to find and print out their own copies of each activity before the class period. Students will be not allowed to print out a copy in the classroom. It is very important to read and understand the experiment instructions before coming to class. Experience shows that the students typically need some time to understand how to properly use the equipment. There is just not enough time to also study the physics concepts behind the experiments during class time. Every group of student has to turn in a written lab report describing the results of their experimental work. In-class work will be collected at the end of each class period and will count as part of the course grade.
Homework:
The reason for doing homeworks is to learn how to solve preblems in
order to pass the exams. Problems are assigned weekly and are due Sunday
at 11:30 pm. This gives the weekend after recitation to work on the homework.
Late work will not be accepted. The problem answers must be submitted on
the web, using a program called WebAssign.
It is important to understand how to work a problem and not just
check the boxes. You need an access code to get in WebAssign. WebAssign
gives immediate feedback on the correctness of each problem, and students
can resubmit problems if they are incorrect, up to a maximum of 10 attempts.
The numbers in the problem are different for each student, but are not
changed each time a problem is resubmitted. The first Friday recitation
session will be devoted to explaining how to use WebAssign.
If you purchased a new copy of Serway, you got an access code with
the book. If not, you can purchase one online for $25.
Your username for WebAssign is whateverbefore @bama.ua.edu
(in my case it is fabi001). The university name is ua. Your password is
your complete CWID.
Attendance and Makeup Policy:
I don't expect students to attend classes. You should have understand
by now the importance of attendance since it is a crucial element
in being able to pass the exams. Moreover, almost during all classes
periods students will receive grades from the labs, the quizzes and the
various activities. You miss a class, you miss credits. If you're more
than 15 minutes late to class, you will not be allowed to participate in
the in-class activities and you'll miss credits.
No makeup of in-class activities, quizzes or exams will be given.
If you have a legitimate reason due to a health problem (no any kind of
other excuses will be accepted) for missing a class, then you must inform
me as soon as possible. If the reason is acceptable, something might be
worked out.
The two lowest grades of in-class exercises, the lowest Friday's quiz
and the lowest homework will be dropped. This will allow a limited number
of missed classes regardless of the reason.
Book: Richard Feynman - Six Easy Pieces:
Physics is not all about making calculations, being able to apply a formula or both taking and analyze data. It's a Science first of all. It's a possible way to look at, understand and enjoy Nature. Learning science therefore also means learning the scientific approach to the fundamental questions of how and why things are and work the way they do. This book represents a nice introduction to the topic of the Philosophy of Science. Written by Richard Feynman one of the most acclaimed American physicist. Hence the reading of the book is essensial and students are expected to give a type written report of the book due on Wednesday Dec. 3rd.
Exams:
EXAM 1: Friday Sep 19.
Room 200 and 203. Chapter: 1,2,3,4
EXAM 2: Friday Oct 24.
Room 200 and 203. Chapter: 5,6,7,8,
EXAM 3: Monday Nov 24.
Room 200. Chapter: 9,10,11,13
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday Dec 10. Room
200. Chapter: 1 to 14 (comprehensive) Final:
Students may use a pocket calculator and ONE formula sheet (front and
back, size A4) for each Exams.
For the Final Exam THREE formula sheets are allowed.
Best advice I can offer you. Study, and study hard! This is physics
and this is just the way it is.
Grading:
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Description.
(Min. percentage points) |
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(97%) |
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Superior ability or attainment significantly beyond all minimum expectations (93%) |
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(90%) |
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(87%) |
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Good ability or attainment which meets and exceeds many minimum expectations (83%) |
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(80%) |
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(77%) |
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Ability or attainment which is acceptable and meets all minimum (required) expectations (73%) |
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(70%) |
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(67%) |
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Ability or attainment which does not meet all minimum (required) expectations (63%) |
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(60%) |
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Attainment of some but not a number of important minimum expectations and is, thus, not appropriate for a minimum professional level of performance (0-59%). |
Academic Misconduct:
Students are expected to follow the Code
of Student Conduct, as laid down by The University of Alabama. All
acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. In particular
each student is expected to do his/her own work on quizzes and exams. Suspected
violators of this policy will be referred to the Dean's Office in the
Disability Accomodations:
To request disability accommodations, please contact Disability Services (348-4285). After initial arrangements are made with that office, contact the course instructor.
Useful links:
HyperPhysics
- Web site that explains and organizes physics concepts using hyperlinks.
Aleks - Online math
tutor.
Tentative Schedule:
The class schedule can be found on the web (click here)
Class Notes:
Addictional class notes (click
here)