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Course Information

INTRODUCTION

The Fundamental Questions

Questions are crucial to learning. It's through the process of inquiry that we construct our knowledge of the natural world. We will address the following five fundamental questions in our study of electricity and magnetism:

1. What are the properties of electric charge?

2. How are electric fields created by charges, and how do charges respond to electric fields?

3. What are the physical principles by which electric circuits operate?

4. How are magnetic fields created by charges, and how do charges respond to magnetic fields?

5. How do electric and magnetic fields change with time?

The Goals

The goals of this course are for you to become familiar with the phenomena of electricity and magnetism and to develop a theory to explain those phenomena. We will continue to develop the robust problem-solving skills required by professional engineers and scientists. Our study of physics will emphasis thinking and reasoning. We will stress the use of qualitative reasoning, pictorial and graphical reasoning, and reasoning by analogy; we will also make use of mathematics to help us understand and describe patterns and relationships that exist in nature.

The Philosophy

The basic philosophy of Physics 2200 can be summarized as follows:

1. Read about it (textbook)

2. Untangle it (interactive lectures)

3. Practice with it (end-of-chapter homework)

4. Challenge yourself (web-based graded exercises and problems)

The order of the above items is very important. Your first exposure to any material will be when you read about it in the textbook (1) prior to lecture. The purpose of the textbook is to provide background for lectures, to be a resource for detailed explanations, to be a reference and a study guide, to offer practice problems, and to teach a robust problem-solving strategy.

The interactive lectures (2) will not simply regurgitate what you have read; rather, the purpose of the lectures is to be inspiring and stimulating, to clarify the textbook, to explain confusing issues, to urge you to think critically, to give you lots to think about, and to spark further interest in the material. This is not a traditional approach. Your participation is needed both prior to and during each lecture!

Lots of practice is required to become a proficient problem-solver. Roughly one day each week will be set aside to allow us to practice solving end-of-chapter exercises and problems (3). The problem-solving strategy used in class will be the same as that used in every example exercise in the textbook.

To cap things off, you will demonstrate what you have learned by completing web-based graded exercises and problems (4). These activities will include skill builders, self tutoring problems, and end-of-chapter problems.


COURSE SUPPLIES

Textbook: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Volume 4, Randall D. Knight (bundled with a Student Workbook, Student Access Kit to MasteringPhysics, and a $20 rebate coupon for the purchase of the PR transmitter)

InterWrite personal response system (PRS) transmitter (see the cashier in the bookstore)

scientific calculator

straight edge


COURSE STRUCTURE

Your grade for Physics 2200 will be based on the total number of points that you accumulate on the various graded activities. The total possible score is 1059 points, broken down as follows:

Reading Quizzes 57
Participation 62
Graded Homework (MasteringPhysics) 200
Exam I 125
Exam II 150
Exam III 150
Final Exam 315


Letter grades for the course will be determined by total points earned in the following manner:

A 900-1059 C 700-749
AB 850-899 CD 650-699
B 800-849 D 600-649
BC 750-799 F 0-599


Reading Quizzes

Beginning on Friday, September 2, each lecture session will begin with a single-question multiple-choice reading quiz. The personal response system described below will be used to record your answer to the quiz question. The quiz is intended to encourage you to read the relevant assignment prior to attending lecture. The reading assignments are located on the Assignment Schedule. Twenty-two 3-point reading quizzes will be given for a total of 66 points; however, you can earn a maximum of 57 points.

Reading technical material is a skill that can be developed with practice. Read actively with questions in mind. A passive approach to reading physics wastes your time. Read with a pencil and paper beside your book and jot down questions and notes. Read to learn, not merely to cover material. Be sure to answer the Stop to Think questions that are sprinkled throughout each chapter - the answers with full explanations are located at the very end of each chapter. Test your comprehension of a reading assignment by completing the related exercises in the Student Workbook. After completing the workbook exercises, you can approach the end-of-chapter exercises and problems with confidence.

Participation

There are two components of your participation grade: participation during lecture and attendance during problem-solving sessions. Grading will begin on Friday, September 2.

During each interactive lecture, you will respond to several questions using the personal response system (PRS). Questions will be cast in a multiple-choice format, and you will answer by pressing a number on your pocket-size wireless transmitter. Your response will be collected by an overhead receiver and routed to the presentation computer from which it will be sent to the central display. Your assigned cell in the class array will confirm receipt of your response by changing color. Your actual answer will be hidden from view. A random question will be selected for grading during each of the twenty-two interactive lectures. You will receive 2 points for responding, independent of whether your answer is right or wrong.

Attendance will be taken during each of the 13 problem-solving sessions with the PRS system. You will receive 2 points for each session that you attend.

Two points are available for each of 35 class sessions for a total of 70 points; however, you can earn a maximum of 62 points.

The powerpoint presentations used during the interactive lectures, including reading quizzes and participation questions, will be available in WebCT after the lectures are given.

Here are some details about the PRS system:

Powering the Transmitter: Each transmitter requires two 1.5 V AAA alkaline-type batteries. Batteries should last at least a semester under normal usage. They need replacement if the LED light is dim or if it does not light up when clicked on.

Using the Transmitter: When the power button is depressed, the LED turns green and the unit is ready for use. Aim the narrow end of the transmitter at the nearest receiver to send an answer. A signal is sent when one of the numeric keys is pressed. This signal information includes the number pressed and your transmitter ID (located on the back of your transmitter). To prevent traffic jams at the receiver, the pushbuttons are deactivated for a brief duration following each send action, as indicated by the blinking LED.

Attaching a Confidence Level to Your Answer: By first pressing H or L before pressing the numeric key, you can indicate your level of confidence in your answer: H for High confidence and L for Low confidence. The LED turns red after pressing H and yellow after pressing L. By default, pressing neither H nor L signals medium confidence and the LED remains green. The confidence level will revert to the default value of medium after a transmission or after 15 seconds without a transmission.

Confirming Receipt of Your Response: Using either your name or your transmitter number, you can identify your cell in the electronic seating chart. Your cell is initially colored blue. Receipt of your response is confirmed when the cell color changes to pink. Your may change your response one time, that is, you may send a total of two responses. It is your final response that is recorded. The cell color turns to red after receipt of the second response. Additional responses will be rejected. If you respond with a choice that is out of range (for example, you press number 7 for a 5-part multiple-choice question), your cell will turn yellow. Your cell color gives no indication of either your answer or of the confidence level, if any, that you have attached to your answer.

PRS REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS: In order to receive credit for both the reading quizzes and participation exercises, please provide me with the six digit identification number located on the back of your transmitter. To do so, please take the quiz in WebCT in which you're asked to enter your six digit transmitter number. Complete the quiz by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 1.

If the PRS Registration quiz does not appear, turn off the popup blocker in your browser and try again.

If you're unable to complete the quiz on time or if during the course of the semester you find it necessary to change your transmitter number, please send me an email with your new transmitter number.

Graded Homework (MasteringPhysics)

MasteringPhysics is a state-of-the-art online tutorial and homework system. We will use three types of exercises within MasteringPhysics: skill builders, self-tutoring problems, and end-of-chapter problems. The skill builders and self-tutoring problems have extensive hints that you may request if you get stuck. The end-of-chapter problems are derived from problems in the textbook; however, your individual problems will be unique due to the use of random numbers for some of the numerical parameters. For all types of problems, once you submit your answers, your work will be graded instantly. You will be permitted five responses for each problem part which has a symbolic or numerical answer, thereby allowing you to change your incorrect answers to improve your score. Multiple submissions are also allowed for multiple-choice questions. However, to discourage guessing, a fraction of the point total will be deducted for each incorrect response.

Ten times during the semester, a collection of problems from MasteringPhysics will be assigned for grading. Each assignment must be completed on a Thursday at noon as indicated on the assignment schedule. Please plan on submitting your answers well in advance of the due date to avoid problems with the Web - no late homework will be accepted.

If you haven't previously used MasteringPhysics, you should complete the assignment entitled Introduction. This assignment takes about 20 minutes to complete and is an introduction to symbolic answers. The first graded homework is due on Thursday, September 8. There will be a total of 10 graded homework assignments of equal value, each worth 20 points. The point total for all assignments is 200.

MASTERINGPHYSICS REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS: To use MasteringPhysics, please register at the MasteringPhysics website located at http://www.masteringphysics.com. Click on MasteringPhysics for Knight: Physics for Scientists and Engineers 1e.

First time users: Click on First Time User: Register on the page that follows. Here you'll be prompted for the access code that came bundled with your textbook. As you continue with the registration process, you'll be prompted for your Student ID and the course ID:

Student ID: your Social Security number (without the dashes) or your M-number

Course ID: MTUPH2200F05

Prior users: Log in as an established user as you did last semester. Sign up for PH2200 by entering as the Course ID: MTUPH2200F05

Last semester 2 to 3 percent of the class had occasional problems with MasteringPhysics that were browser related. If the graphics or the hints to a problem are missing, turnoff the popup blocker in your browser. If you continue to have problems, try a different browser - MasteringPhysics recommends Firefox. If the problem persists, contact me or the technical support staff at MasteringPhysics. It's been my experience that MasteringPhysics responds quickly to requests for help.


Exams and Final Exam

The three exams and final exam are scheduled as follows:

Exam I, Tuesday, September 20, 6:00 p.m.

Exam II, Tuesday, October 18, 6:00 p.m.

Exam III, Tuesday, November 15, 6:00 p.m.

Final Exam during Final Exam Week as announced by the University

Exams I, II, and III will be 90 minutes long and hence will extend beyond normal exam time. Students with a conflict will be accommodated by starting the exam one-half hour prior to the normal start of the exam. The final exam will be a comprehensive two-hour examination.

All exams will be closed book and closed notes. You may use the PH2200 formula sheet that will be included with the exam booklet. You will need a scientific calculator for the exams; however, equations may not be stored in calculators, nor may calculators be exchanged.

There will be no curving, scaling, redemption, or any other adjustment of exam scores.

The exams will consist of conceptual questions and traditional problems; the final exam will also consist of conceptual questions and problems, just more of them. Both the questions and problems will be multiple-choice. The questions and problems will be similar to the Stop to Think questions and worked examples found in the textbook, the assigned end-of-chapter exercises and problems, the graded homework problems (MasteringPhysics), and questions and problems posed and answered during lecture.

No late exams will be given, and an unexcused absence from any exam will result in a grade of zero.

Grade Tracking - WebCT

Your reading quiz and participation scores will be updated at the end of each week and the results will be available to you in the gradebook maintained in WebCT. This is where your exam scores and ultimately your course grade may be found as well. It's your responsibility to examine the gradebook periodically for accuracy and to report any discrepancies to me.

In addition to grades, I will use WebCT to list your PRS transmitter number so that you can verify that I have your correct number. WebCT will also list the ID number that the University is currently using to identify you. Use this number on your exam answer sheet. Course content available in WebCT will include the answers to the even-numbered assigned homework problems, the full solutions to the student workbook, and the powerpoint presentations.

ACCESSING WebCT: WebCT is located at https://courses.mtu.edu . Your User ID is your campus email address without the @mtu.edu and, by default, your Password is the same as your user ID. If you previously used WebCT and changed your password, your updated password is needed. If you have forgotten your password, take your ID to Customer Service in room B24 of the EERC and request a new password.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Formula Sheet

The formula sheet available from the "Downloads" section of this Web site will be provided during all exams - no other formula sheet or table is allowed. Keep the formula sheet by your side as you solve problems.

Excused Absences

Events beyond your control may cause you to miss a homework due date or an exam. Whenever possible, contact me prior to your absence to arrange to make-up missed work. If you are unable to notify me concerning an absence or if you need to notify several instructors on short notice, contact the Office of Student Affairs for assistance. The Dean of Students will then inform all your instructors that you face a situation that requires that you miss class, and you are granted an excused absence. It's then your responsibility to contact each of your instructors after you recover from your illness or return to campus.

An absence can be excused under the following conditions:

- If you participate in off-campus University-sponsored activities, such as field trips, fine arts performances, intercollegiate athletics, job fairs, etc. you are granted an excused absence if your activity conflicts with an exam. Furthermore, I consider plant trips, job interviews requiring travel, and professional society meetings as excusable. It is imperative that for an absence of this type, for which a conflict with an exam is known well ahead of time, that you arrange with me to take the exam earlier than its normally scheduled time.

- If you encounter circumstances beyond your control such as illness, the funeral of any relative or close friend, or other personal emergency, you are granted an excused absence. You must provide verification of the special circumstances that led to your absence to the Office of Student Affairs. In the event of a missed exam due to an excused absence, you are not required to make-up the exam. Instead, an excused absence from an exam will receive the score EX. At the end of the semester, exam EX scores will be replaced by a weighted average of all of your non-EX scores on exams (exams and final exam). If the final exam is missed as a result of an excused absence, you will be awarded the letter grade of I (incomplete) and must take the PH2200 final exam at the end of any one of the next three semesters that you're in residence. Two or more exams missed as a result of excused absences will be handled on an individual basis.

If a homework due date is missed as a result of an excused absence, you will be granted an extension after you notify me.

Getting Help

Office Hours

In order to encourage you to ask questions, I've set aside the following times for office hours:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. If these times are inconvenient, please let me know so that we might find a mutually agreeable meeting time.


The Physics Learning Center

If approaching me for help seems intimidating, you may wish to visit the Physics Learning Center which is staffed by trained undergraduate coaches. The Physics Learning Center, located in 228 Fisher, provides team learning, one-on-one appointments, and walk-in help. Walk-in help is available at the following times:

Monday through Thursday 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.


The coaches may provide help with the graded homework assignments, but don't expect them to work the problems for you. The coaches will provide hints in the form of questions that should enable you to work the problems yourself.

MasteringPhysics

Additional practice is available using MasteringPhysics. The additional practice is so labeled by chapter and is located on the assignment list under the "Additional Practice" heading. Most of the additional practice consists of skill builders and self-tutoring problems with their built-in hints.

Drop Dates

Drop date with no grade: September 16, 2005

Drop date with W grade: October 21, 2005

Late drop: If after the drop date circumstances beyond your control prevent you from completing the course, you may be a candidate for a late drop. The process does not begin with a course instructor but rather with the Dean of Students, to whom you confide the details of your situation.

MTU ADA Statement

MTU complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Michigan Tech is committed to a policy of educating individuals with physical or learning disabilities without discrimination. Students with documented disabilities should contact the Student Affairs Office for assistance and accommodations. It is the student's responsibility to inform the Office of Student Affairs of their class schedule for each semester in which accommodations are sought.

Academic Dishonesty

New technologies engender new forms of cheating. Some known types of cheating and the action that will result when cheating is identified are described below.

- Giving someone else your PRS transmitter is just like letting someone else take a quiz or exam for you. Last semester, one of the things students liked most about the PRS system was the immediate feedback it provided about their conceptual understanding of important topics. You lose this learning opportunity if you give your transmitter to someone else. Reading quiz and participation points represent a small part of your grade, so it's unwise to jeopardize your academic record by cheating with the PRS system.

- Copying someone else's answers in MasteringPhysics is cheating. MasteringPhysics was upgraded over the summer, and it now includes tools to help instructors identify cheating. In addition, the support staff at MasteringPhysics, if requested, will assist instructors to identify cheating. MasteringPhysics will prohibit students identified as cheaters from using their website.

If cheating is suspected, the matter will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs. The penalty for cheating is not less than an academic integrity warning and not more than expulsion. In each case in my experience, students caught cheating have received an F in the course.

Summary of Important Activities

Participation in Physics 2200 requires that you perform the following activities, preferably as early during the first week of class as possible:

ACCESS WebCT: WebCT is located at https://courses.mtu.edu . Your User ID is your campus email address without the @mtu.edu and, by default, your Password is the same as your user ID. If you previously used WebCT and changed your password, your updated password is needed. If you've forgotten your password, take your ID to Customer Service in room B24 of the EERC and request a new password. In addition to grades, I will use WebCT to list your PRS transmitter number so that you can verify that I have your correct number.

PRS REGISTRATION: Complete the PRS Registration Quiz in WebCT. You're allowed a single submission, so enter your number with care. If after you review your submission you find that it's incorrect, please send me an email with your correct transmitter number. Likewise, if during the semester you replace your transmitter, please send me an email with your new transmitter number. Complete the quiz by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29.

MASTERINGPHYSICS REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS: To use MasteringPhysics, please register at the MasteringPhysics website located at http://www.masteringphysics.com. Click on MasteringPhysics for Knight: Physics for Scientists and Engineers 1e.

First time users: Click on First Time User: Register on the page that follows. Here you'll be prompted for the access code that came bundled with your textbook. As you continue with the registration process, you'll be prompted for your Student ID and the course ID:

Student ID: your Social Security number (without the dashes) or your M-number (international students)

Course ID: MTUPH2200F05

Prior users: Log in as an established user as you did last semester. Sign up for PH2200 by entering as the Course ID: MPWEIDMAN0005