DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, UCSD

Fall 2007 Physics 2D

Course Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Relativity and Quantum Physics
PHYS 2D
A modern physics course covering atomic view of matter, electricity and radiation, atomic models of Rutherford and Bohr, relativity, x-rays, wave and particle duality, matter waves, Schr
ödinger's equation, atomic view of solids, and natural radioactivity.
Prerequisites: Physics 2B and Mathematics 20D
Instructor: Raj Pathria
Lectures: MWF 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM, Warren Lecture Hall 2005
Problem Sessions: M 6:30 PM - 7:20 PM, Cognitive Science Building 001 and W 7:00 PM - 7:50 PM, SOLIS Hall 104, beginning October 3rd
Quiz Sessions: Tu 8:00 PM - 8:50 PM, Cognitive Science Building 002, beginning October 9th
Final Exam: Thursday, December 13th, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Warren Lecture Hall 2005
Credit: 4 units


COURSE INFORMATION




COURSE TEXT: Modern Physics, 3rd Edition, by Serway, Moses & Moyer, Published by Saunders (2005) .This is the fourth quarter of the introductory physics sequence and deals with some of the most important and exciting physics of the 20th century, including special relativity, quantum theory and its many applications to atomic and particle physics. The concepts involved are abstract and outside the usual range of everyday experience, but have a profound effect on modern technology and on our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe. Intuition and common world experience will NOT be reliable guides in this course; it will require your full attention to reading assignments, lectures and homework problem assignments.

STUDY ASSIGNMENTS: Throughout the quarter, reading and homework problem assignments will be given from the text book to give you facility with problem solving techniques. Homework will not be collected for correction and grading, and hence WILL NOT count toward your overall grade.

As mentioned above, intuition is not a reliable guide in this course. You cannot expect to do well in this course unless you do most of the assigned problems. If you have trouble with the assignments, we have the following suggestions:
(a) Work with one or two other students to share experience and ideas.
(b) Get help, in the problem sessions, for the problems you were unable to do. Problem solutions will be available in Soft Reserves and on the Web on a continual basis, so please keep checking. Solutions will also be submitted at the SOFT RESERVE.
(c) The assigned homework problems should be done concurrently with the lectures and, as far as possible, be completed before the problem sessions.
(d) Make sure you attend the Problem Sessions on a regular basis. You will learn a lot there!

QUIZZES: Weekly quizzes will be given on Tuesdays, beginning October 9th. There will be 8 quizzes in all. You will need to bring a Blue Book for each quiz.

1) At the time of the first quiz, you will be allotted a unique three-digit code number which will be used to identify your quizzes and post your grades, so you should write it down and store it in a safe place.

2) Each quiz will consist of two or three problems based on the current week's lectures and home-work assignments. The quiz will be closed-book, but supplemental information such as physical constants or some equations from relevant chapters will be provided. You will have about 50 minutes to do the quiz. Quiz grades will be posted the following Friday or Monday on the class web page.

3) After each quiz the solutions will be readily posted on the web. Quizzes will be returned to you at the prescribed location as soon as they are examined. Quiz return pick-up will be announced at the first quiz. Recorded grades will be posted on the class web page. ALWAYS check your posted grade against the one on your quiz blue book to be sure your grade has been recorded correctly. All re-grade requests must be made within one week of the quiz return.

4) Of the 8 quizzes given in this course, only your BEST SIX will be counted towards your overall grade. Each of these quizzes will be worth 10 points, thus amounting to a total of 60% of your overall grade. The Final exam will count for the remaining 40%.

5) There will be NO make-up quizzes for medical or any other reasons. If you expect to encounter an extended conflict or some other problem which cannot be handled, you should consider taking this course in another quarter. You may discuss this matter with Prof. Pathria before making a final decision.

NOTE: You will need to bring a blue book and a calculator for each quiz and the final exam. Your three-digit code number and course number should be put on the booklet cover, along with your name and the quiz number (e.g. Quiz 2). You may also choose to have a Student Affairs staff to hand your graded quiz to you instead of you yourself picking it up from the open shelves.


IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS, PLEASE SEE

- Patti Hey, if you have problems with Studentlink related to add/drop procedures, or getting authorization for such actions.

- The TA, if you have questions about the subject matter, problem solving methods, or the recording of grades.

- the grader if you have questions about the grading of quizzes

- The professor, if you have questions about the subject matter, problem solving methods, or have some special administrative problems. You may also appeal before him the decisions of the Teaching Assistant or the Grader.


ADD/DROP DEADLINES: Use Studentlink to add/change/drop and drop from wait lists. If you have any questions, see Patti Hey in the Physics Department, Student Affairs Office, Urey Hall Annex, Room 116 or 118, resp. If you need advice, see the TAs or the instructor, but they do not sign any cards.




ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: PLEASE READ "UCSD policy on Integrity of Scholarship" on pages 69-71 of the General Catalog. The rules on academic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

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