PHYSICS 215 -
Thermodynamics and Modern Physics
Fall 2011
General Information
Lecturer: Prof.
Bernard Pope, 3233
Biomedical Physical Sciences Building (BPS),
884-5582, popeb@msu.edu
Lectures: 3:00
– 3:50 p.m., MTWTh, Room 1420
BPS
Office
Hours: to be arranged.
Textbooks: Physics
for Scientists and Engineers, Fishbane, Gasiorowicz and Thornton, 3rd edition
(chapters 17-20) (labeled FGT in the syllabus) or equivalent.
Modern
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Thornton and Rex, 3rd edition.
Course
Info: Course
information will be posted at http://www.pa.msu.edu/courses/PHY215/.
Homework: There will be a weekly homework
assignment. Homework will be due
on Tuesdays (for the previous weekÕs assigned material). Late homework will not be accepted. Solutions to the previous weekÕs
homework problems will be posted on the course web site
Reading: Students are expected to read the chapters listed in
the course schedule prior to each lecture. In-class quizzes will often require an understanding of the
contents of the chapter. A
re-reading of the chapter after the lecture is recommended.
Quizzes: There
will be unannounced quizzes during lectures, using the iClicker system. Completing the in-class clicker
questions can earn you up to 5% extra credit. You will get 2 points for a
correct answer and 1 point for an incorrect answer. A total of 80% of the total
clicker points will give you the full 5% extra credit. You cannot get more than
5% extra credit.
Exams: There
will be three Midterm exams and one Final exam.
Grades: The
final grades will be calculated from the homework assignments (25%), the three
midterms (15% each) and the final exam (30%).
More Detail: Plan to spend about 12
hours per week on Physics 215:-
lectures 4
hours/week
homework 4
hours/week
reading 4
hours/week
All exams are closed
book. All absences from midterm exams require a written excuse from your
doctor, Dean, etc. The MSU Code of
Teaching Responsibilities states that any student not taking the Final Exam will
not be permitted to pass the course.