Physics 120 Information Sheet
Spring 2005
Instructor
Neil Alberding, PhD
Office: Burnaby P9444
Telephone: 604-291-4847
Course web site:
http://www.sfu.ca/phys/120/051
Course e-mail list: phys120-d1.
Caucus conferencing system: http://caucus.sfu.ca/caucus/phys120.
All students registered in the course are on the course mailing list
and
can access the phys100 caucus conference.
Lectures:
Room:
Surrey 540
Approximate schedule is listed on our web site.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach your
textbook
The package you get from the bookstore has three parts
- Textbook
The sections to be read for each lecture are listed on the lecture schedule.
Please read the textbook sections becoming to the lecture.
If you are having a problem understanding a
concept
(common in physics) look at other books for alternate explanations of
it
and more examples. See the list of useful
books
in the library
- Workbook
The workbook has exercises for each chapter. Some of the
80 min of class time will be
used for group work on the workbook exercises. If the chapter's
workbook exercises are not completed in class, then the rest will be
expected as part of the written homework. Your completion of the
workbook exercises will be part of your
written homework grade.
- Mastering
Physics access kit
This has an access code for the Mastering Physics
homework
system.
If you purchase a used book then you might not get the complete package
and we need to discuss options for the workbook and Mastering
Physics.
Assignments:
Mastering Physics
There will be assignments almost every
week. One component of the
homework uses a system called Mastering
Physics. Mastering Physics
allows you to check your answer to problems via a computer with a Web
Browser. Answers will be visible after the due date. If you feel the
computer is not accepting your correct answer, write
out your solution and turn it in before the lecture.
Written Homework
Hand written
problems will also be assigned. Solutions for hand written
problems will be posted and you may expect to
see similar problems on midterm exams or on the final exam. Some of the
problems on the written homework may appear as "Practice" problems on
mastering physics with no credit assigned to them. The Mastering
Physics version may be slightly different from the textbook version.
Please submit your written solution to the textbook version for credit.
You must explain you reasoning on the written problems in order to get
credit for them.
Homework Help: The "Open Lab"
There is help for homework in
the "Open Labs". |
Days: Wednesday
Time: 13:30—15:50
Location: Surrey 230 |
There are TAs avaialble to guide your
solving the assignment problems.
(They will not give you answers nor will they work the problems for
you.)
I will be in the "Open Lab" as my
schedule permits
Midterms
There will be two midterm exams at approximately one-month intervals.
Exam problems may consist of both written problems and multiple choice
questions.
The Final Exam
The final exam will be held at the end of the semester. It will be 50%
handwritten
problems and 50% multiple choice questions. Questions and problems will
be
similar to those on the midterms. You must bring picture ID to the
exam.
Grading
|
Mastering Physics Homework |
5%
|
|
Written Homework and Workbook
|
10%
|
|
Midterms, each
|
20% |
|
Final exam |
45% |
There are a total of 100 percentage points in the semester. 55% for
Term
work (Midterms and homework) and 45% for the final exam. Any percentage
points
missed in the term work, for whatever reason, will be added to the
Final's
percentage value. So if you get all homework and test problems correct
except
for one midterm which you miss, the final will be worth 65% because one
midterm
is worth 20%. If you loose a total of 30 points during the term, then
the final will
be worth 75%. The formula is as follows:
G = T + (100%-T)F/45%
Where G is the Final percentage grade (Max 100%),
T is the number of percentage points earned during the term (max 55%)
and
F is the score on the final exam (max 45%).
For example:
You get 40% out of 55% on the tests and homework
You get 30% out of 45% on the final exam
G = 40% + (100%-40%)(30%/50%) = 76%
Using this system it is not necessary to grant exemptions for missed
tests because the missed marks will be captured by the final exam.
The letter grade will be assigned on an absolute grade scale as
follows:
Grade Scale:
Letter
Grade |
Percentage |
A+ |
90% - 100% |
A |
85% - 89% |
A- |
80% - 84% |
B+ |
76% - 79% |
B |
72% - 75% |
B- |
68% - 71% |
C+ |
64% - 67% |
C |
60% - 63% |
C- |
55% - 59% |
D |
50% - 54% |
F |
0% - 49% |
Last update: 2004 Dec 26