Physics 103
General Physics - Fall 2003

Prerequisites:

• Algebra and trigonometry.

Materials Needed:

• Text: Serway & Faughn, College Physics (Vol 1), Brooks/Cole, sixth edition.
• Physics 103 Lab manual (available at University Book Store).
• Lab notebook: preferably spiral-bound with cross-hatched ruling.  Bring to first laboratory meeting (week of Sep 8).
• Calculator: preferably with trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions.  Know how to use it, and make sure batteries are charged for exams.

Lectures:

• 1:20 and 2:25 pm MW in 1300 Sterling Hall (You may attend either or both lectures.)
• Prof. Clint Sprott (3285 Chamberlin, 263-4449, sprott@physics.wisc.edu) and Prof. Fred Roesler (B305 Sterling, 262-1495), roesler@wisp.physics.wisc.edu.
• The lectures supplement but do not substitute for the reading.
• Read the assigned material before lecture and take the lecture preflight at http://tycho.physics.wisc.edu/courses/phys103/fall03/lecturepreflights.html.

Discussion sections:

• Your discussion section will be led by your TA who will be your prime contact and source of assistance.
• General questions about the homework are allowed before it is due, but don't expect your TA to work out the solutions for you in advance.
• Discussions will focus primarily on problem solving skills, which you will practice in small groups under the guidance of your TA.
• Quizzes will be given and will count toward your grade.
• For more information, see the course information page at http://tycho.physics.wisc.edu/courses/phys103/fall03/info.html.

Electronic Aids:

• All of the instructors are available by e-mail, and there is an e-mail list for the entire class that will occasionally be used for important announcements.
• The course has a home page on the World Wide Web at http://tycho.physics.wisc.edu/courses/phys103/fall03/ where you will find up-to-date course information, interactive homework, your grades, and other useful information. All of the links to the course Web site listed on this page (and more) can be found via the course home page.
• The textbook publisher (Brooks/Cole) has a Web site at http://www.brookscole.com/physics_d/ with sample solutions, practice exercises and tests.

Laboratory:

• Follow the instructions in the laboratory manual.
• Read the relevant introductory material and each assigned lab problem before coming to lab.
• Write the answers to the Prediction and Method Questions for each assigned lab problem in your lab notebook before coming to lab.
• The experiments are to be written up during the laboratory period in the lab notebook.
• See the Laboratory page at http://tycho.physics.wisc.edu/courses/phys103/fall03/Labs.html and the course information page at http://tycho.physics.wisc.edu/courses/phys103/fall03/info.html for more information on the labs.

Homework:

• The homework problems are at http://tycho.physics.wisc.edu/courses/phys103/fall03/Homework.html.
• Homework is submitted on the Web and is generally due at 11 am each Monday.
• You will receive 80% credit for homework submitted up to one week late.
• Feel free to discuss the homework with others, but make sure the work you submit is your own.
• The solutions will be discussed in your discussion section and placed on the Web at http://tycho.physics.wisc.edu/courses/phys103/fall03/Planner.html and on reserve in the Physics Library (4220 Chamberlin).

Hour Exams:

• Exams will be given at 5:45 - 7 pm on the following evenings (rooms to be announced, see http://tycho.physics.wisc.edu/courses/phys103/fall03/hexrooms.html):

October 2	Thursday	Chapters 1-4
October 30	Thursday	Chapters 5-8
November 25	Tuesday	Chapters 9-12

• There will be no makeup exams.  If you know of a conflict, you must discuss it with your TA during the first two weeks of class.  In case of an emergency, you must promptly contact either Prof. Sprott or Prof. Roesler.
• The exams will be closed book, but you will be allowed one 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper on which you may write (no machine copying) anything you wish (both sides).
• Solutions will be discussed, and answers will be placed on the Web and on reserve in the Physics Library (4220 Chamberlin).

Final Exam:

• The final exam will be at 10:05 am on Wednesday, December 17 (rooms to be announced, see http://tycho.physics.wisc.edu/courses/phys103/fall03/finrooms.html).
• It will cover the entire course (Chapters 1-14) with equal weight.
• You will be allowed two 8.5 x 11-inch sheets of notes.

Grading:

• The course grade will be made up of the following components:

3 hour exams	300 points
Final exam	200 points
Laboratory	150 points
DiscussionQuizzes	150 points
Web based homework	150 points
Web preflights	50 points
TOTAL	1000 points

• Lab and discussion grades will be assigned by your TA and will be normalized to the distribution on the hour exams.
• Letter grades will be assigned based on the total number of points accumulated. There will be no dropped score.

Consultation Room:

• Room 2402 Sterling is staffed by TA's from Physics 103 during much of the week.
• See the schedule card on the door and on the Web.
• You may ask questions of any of the TA's or come during the hours that your TA is there.
• You may also make an appointment with your TA at any mutually convenient time and place.

Study Groups:

• You are encouraged to form study groups in which you jointly work the homework and prepare for exams.
• If you don't know anyone in the class with whom you would like to study, you can leave your name and e-mail address at https://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/phys103/studygrp.htm.

Complaints and Concerns:

• If you have a non-subject-matter question or concern that cannot be resolved by your TA or professor, contact Mary Anne Clarke, Instructional Program Manager (2520 Sterling, 262-2629, maclarke@facstaff.wisc.edu).

Alternate References:

• To see the same topics explained differently, try the following on reserve in the Physics Library (4220 Chamberlin):
• Blatt, Principles of Physics, 3rd edition
• Cutnell and Johnson, Physics, 4th edition
• Giancoli, Physics, 4th edition
• Jones and Childers, Contemporary College Physics, 2nd edition

General Advice:

• Physics is not something you read and memorize, rather it is something you learn how to do.
• Try the following study procedure:
1. Read the chapter prior to lecture, so that you will know what it's about.
2. Listen carefully to the lecture and take notes.
3. This is crucial: Do not go back and read and re-read the chapter until you "understand it." Rather, start working problems, going back through the chapter to clarify points as they come up.
4. Make a notebook in which you work all the homework problems correctly, written by you in a way that you understand, as you go through the course.
5. Make up practice exams for yourself and try taking them using only your sheet of notes in the allotted time.

Final exam Wednesday, Dec 17, 10:05 am, Chapters 1-14 (room to be announced).
 
 

• Course Instructors
• Consultation Room Schedule
• Open Discussion Sessions
• Study Group Candidates
• Lecture Demonstrations
• Publisher's Web Site
• Practice Exams
• Comments on Grading
• A Statement about Academic Misconduct
• Extended Access to Student Information
• Greater University Tutoring Service (GUTS)
• Physics Department Home Page
• UW Physics Club (free tutoring)