PHYS315 - Modern Physics
Fall 2008
| Instructor: |
Dr. John D. Reid |
| Email: |
jreid@lhup.edu |
| Web Home Page: |
http://www.lhup.edu/jreid |
Office: |
226 Ulmer |
| Office Phone: |
484-2078 |
| Overlays |
Writing Emphasis (WE) |
| Office Hours: |
Posted on my office door.
Please feel free to make an appointment as well. |
| Text: |
Serway, Moses, Moyer, Modern Physics, 3rd Ed. Pub: Saunders, 2005, ISBN: 0534493394 |
| Meeting Time:
| lecture:
| 219 Ulmer
| M, W, F 2:30-3:20
|
| laboratory:
| 224 Ulmer
| Tues 2:10-5:00PM
|
Course Description:
This course introduces the student to many ideas under the general heading of "Modern Physics".
Most of the topics covered have been developed since the late 19th century. Special Relativity and Quantum
Mechanics form the basis of most of modern physics and the physics underlying
much of modern technology and engineering. We will study Special Relativity starting from Einstein's postulates.
We will study how our knowledge of atomic structure developed.
We will study ideas and experimental evidence basic to Quantum Mechanics. We will use our understanding
of these areas to discuss other topics such as semiconductors, lasers, low temperature
physics, and particle physics, for example. Labs will explore ideas and experiments
disucssed in class and develop skills in experimental technique.
| GRADING: |
Tests | 50% |
|---|
| Homework | 25% |
| Lab | 25% |
You must pass the lab in order to pass the course.
Tests
There will three tests during the semester.
The 3rd test will be given during finals week. There will not be
a cumulative final exam. Format for the tests will be discussed
in class. A review session will be scheduled outside class
period before each test.
Homework
Homework is essential to understanding the material. I expect students to work together in
and out of class, but I also expect students to hand in their own work.
Late homework - Homework received 1 class late will have the maximum
grade reduced to 80% of original maximum. Homework received 2 classes
late will have the maximum grade reduced to 60% of original maximum.
Homework received 3 or more classes late will have the maximum grade reduced to
30% of original maximum.
Homework Revisions - I wish to encourage revisions of homework
solutions. That is, one can hand in homework, have it graded and submit a
new solution for a second grading. This can be done repeatedly. The earlier
one submits homework the greater the maximum possible grade.
I will use an algorithm
to calcualte the homework scores for revisions. Below are a few examples of
how revisions will be handled. All revisions must be submitted along with original
draft so that I can compare the two.
No homework will be accepted for grading after the review sessions begin.
|
Grading Algorithm:
|
| score1 + (score2 - score1)*(latefactor) |
|
Example 1
On time with score of 7/10.
Revised for next class -score: 9/10.
final score: 7 + (9-7)(0.8) = 8.6
|
Example 2
Nothing in on time - score: 0/10
One class late - score: 9/10.
final score: 0 + (9-0)(0.8) = 7.2
|
Example 3
On time - score of 2/10.
Revised for next class - score: 9/10.
final score: 2 + (9-2)(0.8) = 7.6
|
Example 4
On time - score: of 2/10.
Revised for next class - score: of 5/10.
new score: 2 + (5-2)(0.8) = 4.4
Revision for 2 classes later - score: 7/10.
final score: 4.4 + (7-4.4)(0.6) = 6.96
|
| Late Factors |
|---|
| 1 class late | 0.8 |
|---|
| 2 classes late | 0.6 |
|---|
| 3 or more classes late | 0.3 |
|---|
Labs
Lab work will inlcude:
- lab work -
- Safety is of the upmost importance. I demand that safety rules
be strictly adhered to.
- Labs are done in groups. People are expected to work as a team, so
I expect everyone to be on time.
- I expect students to help each other with their work in and out of lab. I expect
the work submitted to be your own.
- I expect students to draw on other resources for writing labs. I expect
the work submitted to be your own word with proper references.
-
library research resulting in brief written reports - On occasion I will ask you
to write a brief report. The reports are designed to get you familiar with background material
for a lab and to facilitate an intelligent group discussion.
-
data only - For some labs only your data and data analysis will be required. No
write-up will be necessary. The maximum grade will depend on the amount and
depth of analysis required.
-
brief write-ups - These will contain your data, quantitative data analysis
and a minimum of written explanation.
full write-ups - These will consist of a complete write-up using
a standard format.
-
major write-up with revisions - This will be the same as a full write-up,
but much more complete and will undergo several revisions. My goal is for you to
get a perfect score on this major project. I want you to learn how to write
an acceptable report by learning from your mistakes.
Labs will be graded as follows:
| Library reports | 5 pts |
|---|
| Data analysis only | 5-10 pts |
|---|
| Brief write-ups | 10 pts |
|---|
| Full write-ups | 30 pts |
|---|
| Full write-up with revisions | 100 pts |
|---|
Writing Emphasis Overlay (WE)
This course has been designated as fulfilling the writing emphasis (WE) requirement (overlay)
of general education. In pratice this means you will be asked to write revisions of a lab report.
I will give you ample time to do this and ample feedback on each of your drafts. You are responsible
for all work, includling mistakes, for each draft whether or not mistakes are noted by me in prior
drafts.
Revisions
When a revison to a write-up is allowed, the complete original draft must also be submitted along with
a complete new draft. If this is not done, the revision will not be graded. Many labs involved hand-drawn graphs.
If the graph is being revised, a copy of the graph can be placed in the origianl, so that the revision contains the
hand-drawn revised graph.