Class: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 12:00 - 12:50 pm, Darwin 107
Instructor: Dr. Hongtao Shi
Phone: 664-2013
Email: hongtao.shi@sonoma.edu
Office: Darwin 300J
Office Hours: Monday 10-11 am, Thursday 4-5 pm, or by appointment
Course Description and Goals: This is the second semester of an algebra-based physics class, which also requires trigonometry and geometry. You will be working on Electric Charge and Field, Potential, Electric Current, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Waves, Wave Nature of Light, and Optics. The course is designed for students in the biosciences with material selected to be of use to Biological and Medical professionals, which should also give good preparation for the MCAT. If time permits, we will also cover Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity.
At the completion of the course you are expected to be able to apply physical principles to investigate a variety of problems and provide quantitative analyses consistent with the mathematical level of the course. You are going to learn the methods of problem solving and critical examination of the principles underlying each problem, not the mere memorizing of a method of solution.
Required Textbook: Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics Principles with Applications, 6th Edition, Published by Prentice Hall Pearson, ISBN: 0-13-060620-0.
How Good Are Your Math Skills? (Answers)
Negative Times Negative Is What?
Visualize the Electric Field and Field Lines
Grading Policy:
| Homework, Quizzes and Exams | 30% Final Exam, Friday, December 14, 2007, 11:00 am - 12:50 pm |
| 20% Midterm Exam 1, Week of October 1 | |
| 20% Midterm Exam 2, Week of November 12 | |
| 15% Homework Assignments | |
| 15% Quizzes | |
| Course Grade | Percent |
| A | 90-100 |
| B | 80-89 |
| C | 70-79 |
| D | 60-69 |
| F | Below 60 |
Final Exam: Friday, December 14, 2007, 11:00 am - 12:50 pm.
A few things to remember:
1. Reading and homework will be assigned
every week from the book. Homework is due the following week.
2. There is no tolerance for late homework submission without medical or tragic reason, as solutions will usually be posted the day after due date.
3. The lowest homework grade will be dropped when I compute your term grade.
4. You are encouraged to work in a study group in doing the homework, discussing the problems, but I expect each of you to write up your own solutions handed in for grading.
5. Put a box around the final answers including units. No credit will be given to that problem if your answer is NOT boxed.
6. All quizzes, exams are closed book/notes and must be taken at the assigned time. You can bring one index card to the class with equations and formulas. No makeup will be given without a legitimate reason such as medical emergency. So arrange accordingly. Be aware the makeup exam/quiz may be entirely different from the original one.
7. I reserve the right to raise your grade if exceptional effort and class participation are observed through the semester.
Strategies to succeeding in this course:
• Try your best to attend every class. Participate and ask questions.
Your grades will suffer if you often miss the classes.
• Read subject material before each class.
• Start homework problems early. Never fall behind!
• Study and understand every pertinent example in the covered topics.
Try to understand which principles or laws are employed, and how.
• Come to my office at my office hours with questions. Please remember
that I am here to help you in any way I can so that you can do well.
Important University policies, such as add/drop classes, cheating and plagiarism, grade appeal procedures, etc., can be found here.
Email me if you have questions or comments.
Last updated: 09/17/07