Phys272: Introductory Physics: FIELDS

Fall 2006, Sections 0201 and Honors
T, Th 12: 30-1:45 PM, F 12:00 to 1:00 PM  Room: Phy 1201

Professor: Luis A. Orozco Room 2127 (Physics Bldg.) Phone: 301-405-9740  lorozco@umd.edu http://www.physics.umd.edu/rgroups/amo/orozco/index.html Office hours: Friday 1:00 to 2:00 PM, or by appointment.

Grader: Wenxi Zhu Room 3101 Phone (301) 405-5982 jasmine@umd.edu Office hours: TBD

What the course is about:

Second semester of a calculus based general physics course. Universal gravitation, electric and magnetic fields and potentials, simple circuits, Maxwell's equations in integral form. Continues the application of mathematics to conceptual models, now with more abstract components.

CORE Distributive Studies Physical Sciences Laboratory Course only when taken concurrently with PHYS 275. USP Distributive Studies Area B Non-Lab Science and Mathematics Course. If taken with PHYS 275, course may be counted as USP Distributive Studies Area B Course Lab Science Course.

Prerequisites: (PHYS171 or PHYS161) and MATH141. Corequisite: MATH241. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: PHYS272 or PHYS260 and PHYS261 (Formerly: PHYS262) or PHYS142

Web Site: http://www.physics.umd.edu/courses/Phys272/Orozco/index_f07.htm

Homework at: http://www.physics.umd.edu/courses/Phys272/Orozco/hw_f07.html

Textbook:  Physics for Scientists and Engineers , vol. 2, 5th ed., Tipler & Mosca (W.H. Freeman & Co) 2004. ISBN: 0-7167-0810-8.

Course web site :   Course plan, homework assignments, supplements, and exam solutions will all be posted at the course web site.

Homework:   Assigned weekly.  The assignments will likely be a mix of computer-based (WebAssign) problems and supplementary handwritten material.  The WebAssign problems will be closed out just before midnight on Thursdays, and the supplementary problems will be due at the beginning of class on the assigned day (usually Friday). Late homework accepted only under dire circumstances. If you know it will be impossible to turn in an assignment on time you must discuss this with me  in advance of the due date. Medical reasons accepted only with a doctor's note. You are encouraged to discuss the homework with others, but what you finally complete should be your own work. Please make sure you include your name and the homework and course numbers and staple the pages together. Homework sets must show reasoning leading to the final answers in a clear and readable fashion to obtain credit.

Exams:   There will be three one-hour exams and a final.  See the class schedule for the dates.   If an exam is unexpectedly cancelled due to inclement weather, it will be automatically rescheduled for the next class session. The tentative date of the final is Tuesday, December 18, 1:30-3:30 PM.  Please check the schedule and/or the class web page to know when the final will be. Absence from exams will be excused only under dire circumstances. If you know it will be impossible to attend an exam you must discuss this with me in advance of the exam. Medical reasons accepted only with a doctor's note. A missed exam with legitimate excuse may be replaced by an oral exam. University rules require a passing grade on the final in order to complete the course.

Grading: The course grade will be based on the homework and exams. The lowest two homework scores will be dropped. The following weighting will be used in determining your grade:

Homework (2 lowest dropped)	15%
Quizzes	15%
3 Midterms combined	45%
Final Exam	25%

Note also that University policy requires a passing grade on the final in order to complete the course.

Tips for doing well :

• Freely ask questions in class.
• Read the textbook and ask about anything you don't fully understand.
• Do all of the homework problems. You are allowed and encouraged to discuss the homework with anyone you wish.  However, in order to optimize your learning, you should initially make a serious attempt to solve the problems by yourself.
• Don't wait until the night before the homework is due to begin working the problems!!
• Seek help immediately if you don't understand the material.

Honor pledge and academic honesty:  The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.shc.umd.edu.To further exhibit your commitment to academic integrity, remember to sign the Honor Pledge on all examinations and assignments: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (assignment)."

In this course it is assumed that all students have entered the University agreeing to the honor principle which would apply in general to all campus activities, so usually no specific statement is required. As for this course in particular, note that although you are encouraged to discuss homework with others, the work you turn in should be your own formulation and should reflect your own understanding. This is perhaps a fine line to judge in some cases. Please ask me if you have any questions.