Announcements for Physics 373 (Prof. Agashe) – Fall 2021

 

(1). Final exam has been graded and letter grades assigned: see ELMS and UMEG.

 

Solutions to final exam are posted here.

 

Problems # 1, 2 were graded by the TA Deepak Sathyan, # 4 and 6 by the other TA 

IBK and # 3, 5 by me.

 

Average score on the final exam was 38.5 out of a maximum of 60 (so 64%), with a standard deviation of 11.8 (20%). A distribution of final exam scores

Is posted here.

 

Note that problem # 1 was worth 9 points, with # 2 counting for 13 points as given on the statements of these problems (so there was a typo on the exam cover sheet/page 2, where these points were written as 8 and 14, respectively).

 

Once we all return from the winter break, then you can take a look at your final exam.

 

(2). HW 12 (last one!) has also been assigned here (due Wednesday, December 15).

 

(3). Solutions to HW 2-12 and 2 midterms are also posted here.

 

(4). Final exam information:

 

(i). It is on December 20 (Monday) from 1.30 to 3.30 pm. in Rm. 1410 of Toll building (usual lecture room)

 

(ii). Review session for it will be held from 4 to 6 pm. on December 14 (Tuesday) in Rm. 2136 of PSC, during which the following problems will be discussed

(time-permitting):

 

(a). Example 1 from section 7 of chapter 14

 

(b). Example 3 from section 7 of chapter 14

 

(c). HW 10.1 problem 7.1 from chapter 13 (and it’s variation where temperature outside sphere is to be solved for)

 

(d). Example of section 6 of chapter 13 (also done in lecture)

 

(e). Example 1 from section 1 of chapter 12

 

(f). Problem # 2 of 1st midterm

 

(iii) It will be cumulative, i.e., (in general) covering the material in all of the HW’s (#2 through 12).

 

(iv). It is a closed book/notes exam. No crib/formula sheet will be allowed: instead, most formula you need will be provided on the exam cover page: a

sample one is here.

 

(Note that the formulae on actual exam might be different than above.)

 

(v). Of course, you are expected to know the meaning of each formula (e.g., Jp is Bessel function); 

results such as for an even function, we only get cosine in Fourier series etc. and simple mathematical results such as derivative of cos is – sin

or integral of x is x^2/2 etc.

 

(vi). There will be 6 problems (each with possibly a few parts) as follows (on topics similar to those covered in review session): 2

on computing real, definite integrals using complex analysis/ residue theorem (along the lines of HW 12 problems/examples 1-3 of

section 7 of chapter 14); 1 on Fourier series/transform; 1 on solving a ODE using elementary and power series methods; 1 on wave

equation in polar coordinates (involving Bessel functions) and 1 on solving Laplace’s equation in spherical coordinates (involving Legendre polynomials)

 

(vii) Problems on it will be similar to homework, which (in turn) are mostly from the textbook Boas, so as practice for the exam, you can just work out

        of other problems of these types from Boas (and there are plenty of them!).

 

(viii). A review of the associated material is here (but it cannot be brought to the exam)

 

(5). A feedback survey is posted here. 

 

Please fill it out and submit on ELMS (under "Mid-semester survey").

 

(6). 2nd midterm results:

 

(a). the average is about 28 (out of a maximum of 40), i.e., 70%, with a standard deviation ~11: a histogram showing the distribution of scores is posted here.

 

(b). the TA (IBK) graded problems # 1, 2 and I did the other 2.

 

So, if you have any questions about grading, please contact the corresponding grader.

 

However, before you approach us for this purpose, go through VERY carefully the solutions posted here.

 

(7). 1st midterm results:

 

       (a). the average is about 30 (out of maximum of 45), i.e., 66%, with a standard deviation ~10: a histogram showing the distribution of scores is posted here.

 

       (b). the TA (Deepak Sathyan) graded problems # 1, 2 and I did the other 2.

 

             So, if you have any questions about grading, please contact the corresponding grader.

 

             However, before you approach us for this purpose, go through very carefully the solutions posted here.

 

(8). As far as assigning of the final letter grades goes, it's going to be “relative”:

roughly top 30% of class (based on total score, with weights as given on course webpage) will get "A"'s, next ~30% is "B's etc.

 

(9). The schedule/location of office hours is as follows (they are also listed on course webpage):

 

(i)        By instructor (location for both in Rm. 3118 of PSC):

 

Tuesday 2.30-3.30 pm.

 

Thursday 4.30-5.30 pm.

 

(ii)      By TA:

 

Monday: 2-3 pm. by Deepak Sathyan in Rm. 3129 of PSC

 

                Wednesday: 12-1 pm. by Ibukunoluwa Adisa (IBK) in Rm. 2221 of Toll building.

 

Please note location and day carefully.