Dynamics of particles and systems including central force motion, coupled oscillations and waves in elastic media Prerequisites: PHY2170, MAT2020; co-requisite: PHY2180. This is a 3 credit course.
| Instructor: | Prof. Robert Harr | Office: | 341 Physics |
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| Phone: | 577-2677 | E-mail: | harr@physics.wayne.edu |
| Office Hours: | 10:30 - 12:00 Monday, 3:00 - 4:00 Friday, or by appointment. | ||
| Web Page: | http://hep.physics.wayne.edu/~harr/courses/5200/f06/ | ||
| Textbook: | Classical Mechanics by John R. Taylor, University Science Books, (2005); ISBN 1-891389-22-X.
Try this link to get a price comparison from a number of online bookstores:
Classical Mechanics.
We will be using this text for both PHY5200 and PHY6200 (soon to be renumbered PHY5210). The course will follow the text, and appropriate sections for reading will be given at the start of lecture. |
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| Lectures: | MWF 1:55pm to 2:50pm, Physics Research Building, room 177. Lecture attendance is strongly encouraged as it is a good indicator of performance. We will spend a little time each week reviewing homework problems, but mostly we will be discussing the course material. You are encouraged to ask questions; if something isn't clear to you, it likely isn't clear to others in the class as well. |
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| Homework: | The practice of Physics requires problem solving skills. In this course you will learn and practice problem solving skills with weekly homework assignments. You may discuss and collaborate with classmates on the problems, but the final solution must be your own. Copying of solutions will result in failure for all parties involved. Your solutions will be collected, graded, and contribute to your final grade. |
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| Exams: | There will be two mid-terms and a final exam The midterm exams will be given during a lecture period, 60 min., and the final is 2.5 hours. Exams are closed book. | ||
| Grading: | Homework | 60% | weekly |
| Mid-term 1 | 10% | October 2 (tentative) | |
| Mid-term 2 | 10% | November 6 (tentative) | |
| Final Exam | 20% | December 15 | |
| TOTAL | 100% | ||
| The grade scale is as follows: | |||
| A+ | 95 -- 100% | ||
| A | 90 -- 95% | ||
| A- | 85 -- 90% | ||
| B+ | 80 -- 85% | ||
| B | 75 -- 80% | ||
| B- | 70 -- 75% | ||
| C+ | 65 -- 70% | ||
| C | 60 -- 65% | ||
| C- | 55 -- 60% | ||
| D+ | 50 -- 55% | ||
| D | 45 -- 50% | ||
| F | < 45% | ||
| Written Work: | The skill of scientific writing is important. The problem sets, and exams present opportunities to practice this skill. Instead of writing down formulas and numbers only, try treating each problem as a mini-essay. Motivate the method of calculation and explain the variables. Write in complete sentences using proper grammar. Don't confuse good writing with verbose writing. Make your writing brief and to the point. Sometimes it is appropriate to write down only mathematical formulas. Other times, a clear, brief explanation is essential. | ||
| Policies: | Late work is not accepted. The lowest homework score will be dropped. You are allowed and encouraged to discuss problems together, but what you turn in must be your own work -- do not copy problem solutions and turn them in as your own work. Follow this link to view the English department's statement on plagiarism and a copy of Wayne State's academic integrity policy. | ||