Course Syllabus

PHYS 2220, Physics for Scientists and Engineers II

Spring 2020      MTWF,  1:30-2:20       GRSC 324

Instructor:  Dr. Larry Smith         GRSC 311           283-7520           Larry.Smith@snow.edu

Goals/Outcomes:  I invite you to come with me as fellow learners on an exciting journey.  We will use physics as a vehicle to learn to apply scientific reasoning and computational skills in a variety of contexts.  Students will learn to think deeply about the physical universe and how reason analytically and critically.  Students will have a fundamental knowledge of scientific laws and principles and will learn that science is a process to gain knowledge. Please read my invitation to A Better Learning Experience.

Text:  Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, 4th edition  by Randall D. Knight (ISBN: 9780133953145). Make sure you get a bundled version with the student workbook and MasteringPhysics.  http://snow.textbookx.com/institutional/index.php?action=browse#books/1946265/  You also need a nice scientific calculator.

Prerequisites:  PHYS 2210, PHYS 2215, Calculus, facility with spreadsheets      Corequisites: PHYS 2225

Course Content:  Second semester in the calculus-based majors/engineering physics sequence.  Topics include wave interference, optics, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic induction and radiation, and a small intro to relativity and quantum mechanics.  Chapters (un)covered are: 22–38.  This is fun and exciting material. 

Homework:  Homework will be assigned every chapter, both on paper and on the MasteringPhysics web site (the class ID to register is MPSMITH6666330).  You are strongly encouraged to study in groups to achieve understanding, but what you turn in must be your own work––don't turn homework in without understanding it.  Use lots of paper.  Write neatly.  Communicate well and use the problem-solving strategy outlined in the textbook.  Each chapter’s assignment will be due a day or so after we finish discussing the chapter in class.  Paper homework that is late for any reason other than a pre-approved legitimate excuse will be worth 50% up to one week late; thereafter no credit will be given.  See late passes.  No late work will be accepted after April 19.

Participation:  Ask questions in class, come to office hours, and help other students. For serious students such as yourself the majority of your learning will take place outside of class time.  A large part of the participation grade will come from your answering/discussing one of the questions from each chapter in front of the class, and from submitting a written question for me to answer concerning something you didn’t understand from reading the chapter.  Both asking and answering questions should prove you’ve delved deeply into the chapter material.  You are responsible for information given through Canvas announcements.  Please try to learn as much as you can in this class.  Mutual respect, participation, and effort are keys to making our journey as a community of learners succeed.

Help:  You are encouraged to see me during my posted office hours and at other times by appointment.    Please also frequent the math/science lab and use your classmates and Canvas as other resources.  I will do all I can to help you learn physics; please avail yourself of all the resources at your disposal. Stay caught up, and don’t stay lost for more than a few hours at a time.  

Schedule:  A summary class schedule is here.  

Policies: Follow the links to the Americans With Disabilities (ADA) and the FERPA policies.  Here are my policies regarding attendance and academic dishonesty.  Please read them all.  Please do not wear or use earbuds, earpods, earphones, or other sound-listening devices during class (even just one).

Quizzes:  Frequent quizzes will keep you apprised of your progress.  You may raise a RAQ quiz score by up to 50% by watching two episodes of the approved videos (instructions).  Video reports are due April 20 at 5:00.

Tests:  Tests are another great opportunity to learn; they help you know where to focus future efforts.  There will be five multiple-choice tests in the testing center before the final exam.  Testing Center hours are here.

Final Exam: Wednesday, April 29, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. in the classroom.  It will be comprehensive and fun.

Grading:           Homework       20%                 Quizzes           20%

                        Tests                25%                 Participation    10%                 Final Exam      25%