Physics 3344

Classical Mechanics

Spring 2009, Section 001

Course Information

• Class Meeting
  • Tues-Thurs 11:00am - 12:20pm, 157 Fondren Science
  
  
• Web Site
  • You can get here from the physics dept home page at www.physics.smu.edu by clicking on Courses -> 3344 Classical Mechanics.
  
  
• Homework Assignments
  
  
• Some Homework Solutions
  
  
• Instructor
  • Prof. Kent Hornbostel
  • Office: 209 FS
  • Phone: 214 768 1048
  • Mail Box: 102 FS
  • email: kjh AT physics.smu.edu
  
  
• Office hours
  • Official: M 5:15-6 pm and W 5-6 pm
  • These are the official hours, but feel free to come by any time except for the hour before lecture. (I've got another TuTh class from 2-3:20pm, so perhaps TuTh 1-3:30pm isn't so great, either.) I'm also happy to take questions by email or phone.
  
  
• Grader
  • Not Likely
  
  
• Prerequisites/Corequisites
  • Physics 1303 (Intro Mechanics) and Math 2339 (may be taken concurrently)
  
  
• Texts
  • Marion and Thornton, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, Brooks/Cole, any edition (including older ones with just Marion as author). I'll put a copy on reserve. Also, I've left a copy in the physics majors' lounge; I hope it survives.
  • Recommended: Taylor, Classical Mechanics, University Science Books. This is a new text that has received very good reviews. I'll put this on reserve as well.
  
  
• Syllabus
  
  
• Textbook Sources
  
  
• References
  
  
• Web References
  
  
• Lecture Notes
  
  
• Homework
  • I'll assign weekly (approximately) problem sets and readings, and post solutions to some of the problems here.
    
  • Late Homework: 15% off per day for the first four days, or until graded (whichever is first).
    Thereafter I'll accept (but won't grade) them at any time for 25% credit.
  
  
• Grading and Exams
  • The homeworks will make all of your grade. I'll grade a subset of the problems, probably about 1/3. Although you're encouraged to work together on most homeworks, I'll probably make one or two of them exams on which you'll work alone.
  
  
• From the Provost:
  
  
  • Students with Disabilities
    • Disability Accommodations: Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4557) to verify the disability and establish eligibility for accommodations. They should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements. (See University Policy No. 2.4.)
    
    
    
  • SMU Policy on Religious Holidays
    • Religious Observance: Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. (See University Policy No. 1.9.)
    
    
    
  • SMU Policy on Excused Extracurricular Absences
    • Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities: Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity should be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed assignment for making up the work. (University Undergraduate Catalogue)
    
    
    

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