Instructor: Alec Habig

Office: MWAH 384

Office Hours: 15:00-16:00 M,F

11:00-12:00 W,Th

(or by appointment)

Telephone: 726-7214

email: ahabig@umn.edu

http://neutrino.d.umn.edu/phy2112

Prerequisites: Concurrent registration in Phys 2012, General Physics II; completion of Calculus II with a C- or better.

Text: Halliday, Resnick, & Walker,

Fundamentals of Physics (8^th ed.)

Additional readings or assignments from other texts or the web might be assigned over the course of the semester, but arrangements will be made so you do not have to buy more books. This one is expensive enough.

Course Objectives: This course is a companion to Physics 2012, and provides additional practice in applying physical principles to problems in electricity, magnetism, and optics in a “recitation” or “discussion” style small-group setting. Watching someone else work through problems, either in person or by reading examples, is not sufficient to learn the material. The only way to do so is through lots of practice. Working in small groups and helping your peers understand the parts which you have figured out is also very helpful to the learning process.

Grading: This course is graded S/N only. Course grades will be based on in-class performance and assigned

problems. The preliminary grading scheme listed here is subject to revision. In-class scores: attendance=1, active participation=2, excused absence (for illness, emergency, university-mandated activity)=0, un-excused absence=-1. Homework scale: excellent=5, fair=3, inadequate=1. (An excellent solution is correct and conforms to the homework guidelines in the Phys 2012 syllabus.) A total of 70 points accumulated over the semester ensures an S for the course.

While you may discuss problems with others in the class (in fact, doing so is a great way to learn, as mentioned above), the work you submit must be your own in the sense that you can explain and defend it when asked. Turning in work simply copied from another or based on solution manuals or other comparable resources constitutes cheating and is subject to penalties (including a failing grade in the course) described in the UMD academic integrity policy.