Course Syllabus

PHYS 2220:  Physics for Scientists and Engineers II

Fall 2021     

Instructor: 

Jonathan Pugmire, PhD     

GRSC 316     

(435) 283-7534   

jon.pugmire@snow.edu

Covid-19 Information: 

I strongly encourage you to get vaccinated if you have not already been so.

Face-to-Face Instruction:

Lectures: MTWF,  1:29-2:20 pm        GRSC 341

Lab: Th 1:29-4:20 pm

Online Instruction: Available only by pre-approval through 'Big Blue Button' on Canvas.

Goals:

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. 

Required Supplies:

  • Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, 4th edition by Randall D. Knight (ISBN: 9780133953145).

You should have access to it all still from last semester. Make sure you get all three parts of the complete bundle (textbook with Modern Physics, the Student Workbook, and the MasteringPhysics web access code). Get it from the new Snow College online bookstore here (You can buy the textbook used, but need a new student workbook and online access to Mastering Physics.).

  • Graphing 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: 22–39.  This is fun and exciting material. We will start with Optics - chapters 33-35.

Course schedule:

See a 2-page daily calendar here.

Homework:

Homework will be assigned every chapter. Use the MyLab and Mastering link on the left side of Canvas. MasteringPhysics website (the class ID to register is MPJPUGMIRE2021).  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.  No late work will be accepted after November 29.

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. Please read some thoughts to have A Better Learning Experience.

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 (report sheet).  Video reports are due December 2 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:

Thursday, December 16, 2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. in the classroom.  It will be comprehensive and fun.

Grading:    

                   Homework       30%                

                   Quizzes            15%

                   Tests                25%                

                   Participation    10%                

                   Final Exam      20%

Policies:

General policies on ADA, Title IX, FERPA, Triggers, and Academic Honesty are here. Here are my policies regarding attendance and academic dishonesty.  Please read them all. In particular, students are encouraged to work in groups to achieve understanding, but what goes on your paper or online under your name should accurately reflect your own understanding.  The use of on-line homework solutions sites is considered cheating, except as a check on your work after you have finished the problem.  Please come see me to get help on your homework or workbook instead of going to the internet.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due