Physics 1303/1403:

Introductory Mechanics

Fall 2005

Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30am –10:50 am, 119 Fondren Science Building

Instructor: Professor Richard (Ryszard) Stroynowski
Office: Room 6, Fondren Science Building
Telephone: (214)768-4076 or (214)768-2495
E-mail: ryszard@mail.physics.smu.edu
www.physics.smu.edu/~ryszard

Office Hours Office Hours: As posted, and by appointment.

Text: "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" Vol.1 by Serway & Jewett, 6th Edition

Calculators: A scientific calculator is a must. Necessary functions are sin, cos, tan, exp, log, and roots, as well as the inverse operations. (Note, you need not spend more than about $15 for this. I didn't.)

Prerequisites: We shall assume a working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. A limited amount of calculus will be used. (I will review the necessary calculus before I use it.)

Quizzes and tests: There will be a closed book 15-minute quiz each week as marked (except when there is an exam scheduled). There are 8 quizzes. The quiz with a lowest score will be dropped from grading. Note: this includes all missed quizzes, doctor’s appointments, and other emergencies. No make up quizzes will be given. There are three 1 hour-long tests during the semester, each from the material as marked in the syllabus. All quizzes and tests are closed book. You can use up to 2 “cheat sheets” with formulas and a calculator.

Study sessions: A study sessions will meet in Room 119 on Wednesdays after 4pm for 2 hours each week. Exact time will be arranged with Yon Cole.

Grading: Teaching Assistants will grade all quizzes and tests. The final course grade will be determined as follows: Quizzes 25%, Exams 45%, Final 30%. For students enrolled in PHYS1403 the final grade will be formed from this final grade and the lab grade.

Homework: Physics is not a spectator sport! Homework is assigned for each chapter. The homework will not collected nor graded. I encourage you to attend the help sessions, discuss your work with a study group and to use office hours if you have difficulty.

Solutions: For your convenience I provide solutions to the homework problems. I caution you that these notes may not be complete and may have errors. You should keep this in mind when you use them.

Most of the quiz and exam problems are either variants or are taken directly from the homework. I provide solutions to the homework to help you when you get stuck. This is not a substitute for working out the problems on your own. You will find, that it is not sufficient to simply read through and copy the homework solution to understand the material. Information useful for problem solving and the mathematical formulas are listed in the Appendices at the end of the textbook.

Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities: Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity will 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 Catalog.)

Disability Accommodations: If you need academic accommodations for a disability, you must first contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4557) to verify the disability and establish eligibility for accommodations. Then you should schedule an appointment to make appropriate arrangements. (University Policy N0. 2.4.)

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 to make up any work missed because of their absence. (University Policy No. 1.9.)