SCI 112: Great Papers in Physics; Electricity and Magnetism,
Fall 2006
Texts: De Magnete, trans. P. Fleury Mottelay
Faraday’s Experimental Researches in Electricity, H.J. Fisher
Photo copies of other papers or links to electronic versions will be supplied
Instructor: Dr. Matt Marone Room 112 Willet Science Center
Phone 301-2597, e-mail: marone_mj@mercer.edu
Office Hours: R 3:30-5:30, outside of these hours by appointment
Class: TR 10:50-12:05 WSC room 101 (discussion), TR 1:40-2:55 , WSC room 110B (lab)
Prerequisite: SCI 105
General:
The objectives of this class are to read, discuss and understand original papers in electricity
and magnetism. We will also try to reproduce some experiments related to our reading. Not
only will we explore the science, but we will also try to understand the complex forces that lead
these great scientists to their discoveries. These discoveries did not just occur in a vacuum, but
were influenced by the scientist’s beliefs, philosophy and motivations. We will see how the
science of electricity and magnetism evolved and how it impacted our society. Discussion,
critical thinking, effective writing and logic are all important factors in our study
Grades: Your Final class score will be derived from the percentages shown below and subject
to deductions for “summary” and “attendance” grades.
Mid Term (4 weeks) essays (20%)
Final Essay (20%)
In-class discussion, participation (10%)
Laboratory Reports (50%)
Grade Scale A=4.0, B+=3.5,B=3.0,C+=2.5,C=2.0,D=1.0, F=0.
See grading rubric for details
Summaries: Each week you will submit two summaries of your reflections on the assigned
reading and class discussion. These will be due on Monday by 5:00 PM and Wednesday by
5:00PM. Summaries will be submitted by e-mail and the subject line should be “SCI 112
Summary”. Only send text, a summary containing an attachment will not be accepted. A
summary should demonstrate that you read the text carefully and should contain at least one
quotation from the text. Your summary must also contain one question for discussion, and will
become fuel for the class discussion the following morning. You will find that having an
electronic version of your summary will help you when it is time to write an essay. Summaries
will be graded “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory”. If I do not receive a summary by the deadline,
you will receive a grade of zero. Once you have accumulated more than three (3)
“unsatisfactory” or “zero” grades, 5 points (half a letter grade) will be deducted from your final
grade for each “unsatisfactory” or “zero”.
Attendance: Attendance is required! There will be a sign in sheet. This is a discussion
orientated class and your presence is necessary. For each unexcused absence 10 points (one
letter grade) will be deducted from your final grade. This means that you will fail the course if
you have more than four (4) unexcused absences. Valid excuses for absences are defined by the
university handbook (illness, emergency, class trips with prior notification).
Essays: Essays will be submitted electronically by e-mail or disk and saved in a format the can
be opened by Microsoft Word. Essays should be 5-6 pages, double-spaced with one-inch
margins. The font size should be 12 points. No hand written essays will be accepted. All
references must conform to the MLA style. The instructor will suggest a broad essay topic and
the students will confer with the instructor concerning the particular topic or questions to be
explored. Students may provide their own topic, subject to the approval of the instructor. You
are required to submit a rough draft and discuss your paper with the instructor at least three
days prior to the due date.
Laboratory Reports: Each week you will write a laboratory report. The report will be due one
week after the experiment has been completed. There is no laboratory manual. We will develop
the experiment through our discussions about the reading. We will decide on what course of
experimental activities we should follow to test or reproduce what we have read. I will advise
you about techniques and equipment. We will actually make some of our own devices including
Leyden jars and electroscopes. The exact format of the report will be discussed in the laboratory
component of the class.
Honor code: You are bound by the Mercer honor code. The College’s academic misconduct
policy will be followed. All work, for which a grade is received, must be the original work of
the student without aid or assistance of another party, or any printed and or electronic
data/information. Academic misconduct cases will be referred to the honor council and the
student will automatically receive a grade of incomplete (IC) pending a ruling by the honor
council.
Cell Phone and Pager Usage: Out of courtesy for all those participating in the learning
experience, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering any classroom, lab, or
formal academic or performance event
Classroom etiquette: You are expected to conduct yourself as a mature student, respectful of
your classmates and instructor. You may be asked to leave the room if your behavior is
disturbing the instructor or your fellow students.
Documented Disability Statement:
Students with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class
meeting. The instructor will refer you to the office of Student Support Services (SSS) for
consultation regarding evaluation, documentation of your disability, and recommendations for
accommodation, if needed. Students will receive from SSS the Faculty Accommodation Form.
On this form SSS will identify reasonable accommodations for this class. The form must be
given to the course instructor for signature and then returned to SSS.
To take full advantage of disability services, it is recommended that students contact the Office
of Student Support Services, immediately. The office is located on the third floor of the Connell
Student Center.