| syllabus | calendar | misc | docs | lab | mstr phys | blk brd | listserv |

Foundations of Physics I

Physics 2306  Spring 2006

waves, electricity, magnetism, optics

Lecture Time: Mon, Wed   2:30pm - 3:45pm
Lecture Room: Chemistry/Physics Bldg, Rm 130

Instructor: Lance Arsenault   <lanceman@phys.vt.edu>
Office: Robeson Hall Rm 317    tel. 231-5321
Office Hours: After Lecture and by Appointment.

Recitation TA: Zack Lewis   <zlewis@vt.edu>
Office: Robeson Hall 216G    tel. 232-5575

Course Related Links

Scope

Second of the introductory physics sequence for undergraduate students in physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics. This is a calculus based introduction to waves, electricity, magnetism, and optics. There are separate Lecture, Lab, and Recitation meetings for the course.

Course Request Numbers (CRNs)

CRNs and Meeting Times for this lecture's recitation classes

CRN Day Time Room
14288 Fri 9:05AM - 9:55AM Robeson Hall 101
14291 Fri 8:00AM - 8:50AM Robeson Hall 101
14295 Fri 11:15AM - 12:05PM Robeson Hall 101
14296 Fri 10:10AM - 11:00AM Robeson Hall 101

Stuff to Buy

You can get the student access kit bundled with the text book from the Virginia Tech University Bookstore $139.10 (new) or you can get it separately on-line at http://www.masteringphysics.com/ for $41.60. Of course, you can shop around.

Prerequisites

Passing grade in PHYS 2305, MATH 1205, and MATH 1206, or equivalent

Course Grade

Homework 15%
Lab 15%
Rec Quizzes 12%
Exams I, II, III 36% (12%/each)
Final Exam 22%

Your final course grade will be based on a combination of your ranking relative to the other class members, and on your absolute score. The absolute scores will strongly influence the fraction of A's and B's (and so on) in the class.

Exams

Exams will cover material from the reading, lecture, homework assignments, and lab assignments. If an exam is missed, a makeup exam is possible with the lecturers approval. Makeup exams will not be the same as the regular exams.

You are required to bring a student ID to the exams. Exams will be closed book. You may bring one 8.5 inch by 11 inch formula sheet, which may contain whatever you like. Exams will take place at 5pm on Thursdays in a location that will be noticed. Details will be posted on the course calendar.

Quizzes

There will be a short quiz given at each recitation class. There are no make-up quizzes. The lowest two quiz scores will be dropped.

Homework

Mastering Physics On-Line Course Assignments will be used for completing your homework for course credit. The MasteringPhysics Course ID is PHYS23062006SPR. All homework is due on Saturday at noon, after that points are automatically deducted.

Lab

The laboratory periods are designed to apply the theoretical concepts presented in the lectures to actual situations. This time allows you to develop good observation, data-taking, and data-interpretation skills. This component of the course is very important, and the consequences of not completing all of the experiments are severe. YOUR FINAL COURSE GRADE WILL BE DROPPED BY ONE-THIRD OF A LETTER GRADE FOR EVERY 2 LABS NOT SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED. For example: if two labs are missing a B+ would become a B; if four labs are missing a B+ would become a B-. Complete information about the laboratory procedures and policies, laboratory schedules, and Lab TA contact information can be found at the laboratory website (http://www.phys.vt.edu/~labs/phys2306/spring06/).

Honor Code

The honor code pertains to all aspects of this course. You are encouraged to work with others in studying the material and discussing homework, but all work (exams, quizzes, and homework) turned in under your name must be your own work.