Class Discussion and Exercises: Attendance at and participation in class discussions are critical for learning new physics.  Reading the text before class will definitely facilitate this part of the learning process.  We will frequently be using Physlet Quantum Physics by our very own Belloni, Christian, (and Cox) to explore new ideas in class.  If the additional expense ($40) is not too burdensome, I encourage you to purchase a copy of this book.  Note that you may find it useful (or required!) in future physics courses, especially Quantum Mechanics.  However, Physlet Quantum Physics is an optional supplement in this course.  Pre-class exercises allow me to gauge your grasp of new material and enable me to use class time effectively.  When assigned, they are due 1 hour before class starts.  In-class exercises will also be used occasionally to give us the opportunity to explore new concepts and problem-solving strategies together.  The College’s 25% rule on attendance will be in effect.

Homework: As you work your way up the physics curriculum, you will encounter problems of increasing complexity, and Physics 320 begins this journey in earnest.  Learning how to handle these problems takes substantial time and practice.  Hence, I will assign approximately 6 questions/problems/physlets each week to test your understanding and challenge your problem-solving skills. You should start these assignments early to allow time for my assistance.  I encourage you to work in groups of 2 -3 students on the homework sets, but you must participate in the process of obtaining the solution to each problem.  When working with a partner, keep in mind that reviews and the final will test your individual problem-solving ability.  Do not consult solution manuals, solution sets, or another student’s work from any previous class.  Using any solution, other than those found in your textbook or posted on our website, is an honor code violation.  Always show your arguments, realizing that neatness, clarity, correct units, and appropriate significant figures also count.  Homework will be collected for grading at the beginning of class on the dates designated and late homework will not be accepted.

Laboratory: At the turn of the 20th century, several experimental observations came to light that could not be explained by classical physics.  These irregularities led scientists to consider extraordinary new ideas, and the era of modern physics began.  We will start our semester with a collection of experiments that demonstrate these foundational problems.  Then, equipped with the new ideas that emerged, we will study a variety of phenomena that can only be explained with modern physics concepts.

Laboratory attendance is somewhat flexible, to be coordinated with me and your lab partner, but the minimum expectation is that you attend lab on either Monday or Wednesday of each week.  You are required to keep a laboratory notebook in which you will record your day-to-day work. Always begin your entry with the date, time, and name of any lab partners. Dates recorded in the lab book must be the dates on which the entries are made. You are encouraged to work together when taking data and analyzing your results but you may not copy work from one another.  If you are not in the laboratory when the data is being taken, you should not include it in your notebook.

The main goal of keeping a lab book is to save time by keeping a careful record of what you have already accomplished.  Your notebook should always include:

• A diagram of your experimental setup if not shown on the lab webpage

• Instrument settings

• Sketches of oscilloscope traces and other important visual results

• Data and analysis, including documentation of any associated files

• Sample calculations

• Interpretation of your results

Seminar Attendance: Seminars broaden your scientific perspective and show you how physics is being used in the world beyond Davidson.  Attendance at all physics seminars is required.  Ask questions!

Reviews and Final Exam: We will have 3 closed-book, closed-notes take-home reviews, tentatively scheduled for the weeks of 9/29, 10/27, and 11/24.  When taking these reviews, you should ensure that all relevant resources are stowed beyond reach.  Do not consult reviews from any other offering of Physics 320.  The comprehensive final exam will be take-home and open-book, to be completed during the self-scheduled exam period.

Grading:

Homework, Exercises, and Seminar Attendance	25%
Laboratory (Experiments and Physlets)	25%
3 Reviews	30%
Final Exam	20%