Physics 121.6 General Physics Class Structure

The main parts of this course are outlined below. They are listed in approximately the order in which you will/should be doing things. The Parts of this Course Reading the Textbook First introduction to the material. Lectures Making sure the most important concepts are understood. Doing Problems Practicing your analytical skills. Laboratory Experiments Learning the process of physics, "The Scientific Method". Illustrating the physics principles in a "hands-on" way. Additional Aspects Reading Quizzes Resources Concept Quizzes Where to find help

Reading the Textbook

Along with the lectures, the textbook, "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" by Serway and Jewett, Seventh Edition., is your most important resource. You will be required to read all of the sections outlined on the Lecture Schedule at least once during the year. You will find that you will get much more out of the lectures if you have been exposed to the material beforehand. Therefore I strongly encourage you to read the textbook sections before the lecture.

3% of your final marks will be devoted to a "Reading Quiz" that you will be required to submit before each lecture. This will take the form of a few multiple choice questions that you will answer though the web page before each lecture. These questions should be very easy for you to answer if you have read the text. The questions are designed to see if you have read the material, not necessarily that you have understood it. (Although understanding what you have read would of course help!) If you have read the material before sitting down to answer the questions, they should only take a few minutes of your time. More details may be found on the Reading Quiz Page.

I stronly advise making use to the online resources that come with the text book. Register using the code that comes with the book. You will find a lot of illustrations and study help is available.

Lectures

The lectures will be your primary learning experience. In the lectures we will

• Expand and clarify the textbook material
• Make sure the most important concepts are understood
• Do examples
• Illustrate the concepts  with demonstrations and simulations
• Participate in interactive learning experiences (e.g. the Concept Quizzes)

There may be material that we will cover in the lecture that is not covered or emphasized in the textbook. By the same token there is some material in the textbook sections listed in the Lecture Schedule that we will not cover in much detail in the  lectures. So participating in both activities, reading the textbook and coming to the lectures is vitally important.

Doing Problems

Doing problems, lot's of problems, is a vital part of your learning process. The Homework Assignments give you practice in doing some problems. You will also get more examples and practice in the Tutorials. But this, you will find, is not enough. You will need to do many more problems on your own to become totally comfortable in applying the principles and techniques you have leaned. Your lecturer and the Help Desk tutors will be able to provide help if you get stuck.

Resources

From time to time I will make available additional resources that will help you understand, or get a better feel for, certain concepts in the course. This will include, for example, links to simulations on the internet which will be available on the Applets page. Watch the Resources page for additions. Announcements will also be made in class about usful links to try out.

Concept Quizzes

These are little multiple choice questions that I throw at you during class. They are designed to allow both you and me to judge how well some of the most important concepts are getting across. I hope that allowing you to discuss the options among yourselves will help to clarify the subject matter in you own minds. You can review the questions we have had is class to date through the Concept Quiz page.

Where to find Help

You are always welcome to come and see me to ask questions about any aspect of the course. Try to come during my office hours, but I am more than willing to help you at any time if I am available.

There is also the Help Desk. Make use of it. It is there for all first year physics students.

There is also a list of tutors who are willing to give one-on-one tutoring for a fee.

Some other resources from the net:

• Study Tips for Introductory Physics Students. Some good advice.
  
• Check out the Student Companion Web Site associated with the Text Book.
• There is also a companion site assiciated with the previous edition of the text book.
• Another good starting point for finding physics information on the web is PhysicsWeb.