Unofficial Syllabi for Honors Physics
PHYS 1617
Honors Physics
Text: Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday, Resnick, Walker, 9th Ed, Vol 1, 2
Lab Manual (online at www.physics.auburn.edu, choose Intro Courses)
SCHEDULE
- Temperature, Heat, First Law of Thermodynamics
- Entropy and Second Law of Thermodynamics
- Electric Charge
- Electric Fields
- Electric Potential
- Capacitance
- Current and Resistance
- Magnetic Fields
- Electromagnetic Waves
- Optical Images
- Interference
- Diffraction
- Selected Topics in Modern Physics
- Final Exam (comprehensive): MWF Section, Monday, April 30, 8-10:30 a.m.
Grading: The final grade will be determined by the following scheme.
Exams (3) 60%
Final Exam 30%
Recitation/Lab 10%
Total 100%
Student scores will be scaled to determine grades, based on the class average (~ C). UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES will makeup exams be given. In lieu of a makeup test when there is a valid
excuse for a missed scheduled test, the final exam score will be used for the score on that test.
After each test I post a scale of scores vs. letter grades so each student knows what a score of say,
68, on a test means in terms of a letter grade. This enables you to know how you are doing in the
course. For the final course grade, I apply the weighting factors above to each grade component
and generate a total raw score for each student that is compared to the class average raw score.
The calculation is completely based on numbers and there is no bias. Exams will cover material
covered in class, lab, and homework. If the class average grade is above 75%, on a test, I reserve
the option to not scale the scores.
Lab/Recitation: Lab/Recitation is a three-hour affair. It is made of a one-hour problem solving
session (recitation) ending with a quiz and/or a two-hour activity or laboratory. The labs for
PHYS 1617 are available online. The lab room numbers will be listed outside the Physics Lab
Office on the first floor of Parker Hall. Most of the time, I will let you know what lab we will do
on a given week, and you go to the website and download it before going to the lab.
Lab/Recitation Schedule:
Room assigned weekly, see posting.
Section 001 meets R, 1230-320 pm
Section 002 meets R, 330-620 pm
Section 003 meets F, 1200-250 pm
Section 004 meets R, 330-620 pm
Frequently Heard Comments:
Is this on the test? Answer: yes.
The questions on the test are not like those in the homework. Response: To the extent
that you understand the concepts of physics, you will realize that they are more closely
related than you might have thought. Also, they are not supposed to be the same
questions.
I studied, read the book, read the notes, did the homework, came to class, and understood
the labs, yet I'm still not doing well in the course. Response: If that is true, there is
something wrong with the way you are approaching this class. Please come and see me
early in the semester so we can attempt to fix the situation. Don't wait too long to ask for
help.
Contingency Procedure:
If normal class and/or lab activities are disrupted due to illness, emergency, or crisis situation
(such as a flu outbreak), the syllabus and other course plans and assignments may be modified to
allow completion of the course. If this occurs, an addendum to your syllabus and/or course
assignments will replace the original materials.