SP212: Calculus-based Physics II
Course Policy Statement, Spring 2016
Instructor: Dr. Wilson, CH289, 410-293-6692, rwilson@usna.edu
Web: www.usna.edu/Users/physics/rwilson/SP212 Spring2016.php (course schedule here)
Sections:
4342: MWF4 (1055-1145) CH051, R34 (0955-1145) CH002
6542: MWF6 (1430-1520) CH051, R56 (1330-1520) CH002
Text: Halliday, Resnick, & Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 10th ed., John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Overview: This is the second course in a two-course sequence covering calculus-based
introductory physics. You will learn the concepts and problem solving strategies of electricity,
magnetism, circuits, and optics.
Learning Outcomes: Specific learning outcomes for this course are:
1. Remember and recall statements of the definitions, concepts and laws that govern classical
electricity, magnetism and light.
2. Describe the concepts and laws that govern classical electricity, magnetism and light.
3. Apply the concepts and laws of classical electricity, magnetism and light to solve both
qualitative and quantitative single-step problems.
4. Analyze quantitative and qualitative problems involving two or more concepts and laws of
electricity, magnetism and light.
5. Combine concepts and laws to solve such problem.
6. Evaluate how well the concepts and laws of electricity, magnetism, and light fit observations
of physical phenomena.
Grading:
(Progress)
Homework (20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20% (20%)
Labs (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% (5%)
Quizzes (12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15% (15%)
Exams (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30% (60%)
Final Exam (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30% (n/a)
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Percentage
90-100%
80-90%
70-80%
60-70%
<60%
Homework (25%): You will be assigned 40 homework sets through the “WileyPlus” online
system (www.wileyplus.com), each one corresponding to a lesson. Your cumulative homework
scores will be compiled during Exams 1, 2, and 3 for your 6, 12, and 16 week grades, respectively.
Otherwise, there are no homework due dates. I encourage you to work with your classmates on
the homework, but in the end your work must be your own. Please document your work in a
clean, legible manner on paper. You will include this work in your course notebook (see below).
Labs (5%): In lab, you will be asked to perform experiments, take data, and complete lab
worksheets. Before you leave lab, I will ask to see your lab worksheet, and I will ask you a couple
of questions about what you learned in lab. I will base your lab score on the completion of your
lab worksheets. There are no lab write-ups in this course.
Quizzes (15%): I will administer 12 quizzes throughout the semester. The quizzes will consist of
3 multiple choice questions, which will be loosely based on the in-class worksheets, the WileyPlus
homework problems, the Checkpoints in the textbook, and the ”Text Definitions.” At the end of
the semester, I will drop your lowest quiz score, so only 11 quizzes will count towards your final
grade.
Exams (30%): You will complete three multiple-choice exams prior to the Final Exam, which will
be loosely based on the in-class worksheets, the WileyPlus homework problems, the Checkpoints
in the textbook, and the ”Text Definitions.” You will have 110 minutes to complete Exams 1 and
2, and 50 minutes to complete Exam 3. Exams 1 and 2 will be cumulative, and Exam 3 will only
cover material following Exam 2. Partial credit will not be awarded on the exams, but you will be
awarded 1/3 credit for each problem that you correct following each exam. Your corrections must
be highly detailed and legible. The corrections will be due 1 week after each exam is administered.
Final Exam (30%): Your curved final exam grade will count for 30% of your final course grade,
with the constraint that your final course grade cannot be more than two letter grades higher than
your curved final exam grade. For example, if you go into the final with an A in the course and
receive an F on the final, your final course grade cannot be higher than a C. You will have 3 hours
to complete the final exam, which will consist of 50 multiple choice questions (3.6 min/problem).
Notebook (0%): At the beginning of each class, you will be given a worksheet. We will complete
and discuss these worksheets in small groups. Throughout the semester, you will compile these
worksheets into a notebook, which you will append with your written homework solutions and
your lab worksheets. This notebook will serve as a study reference for you, and as a starting point
for any E.I. related to the worksheets or homework.
Extra Instruction (EI): Please approach me any time to request individual or group EI. I
intend all EI sessions to begin with your course notebook. I will not discuss specific problems
unless you can show me that you’ve thought about the problem, and where you ran into trouble.
Unfortunately, I am not available for EI on Tuesdays, or during period 1.
“How to Succeed”: Below are some steps you can take to help ensure your success in this
course. In summary: work hard, seek help if you need it, and be honest.
q Read the relevant material before class.
q Bring to class: TI-Nspire calculator, writing utensil, and your notebook.
q Keep up with the daily homework assignments.
q Actively think in class and participate in the group work (worksheets).
q Make sure you can solve the worksheet and homework problems on your own.
q Self-evaluate, and seek extra instruction from your instructor and your classmates.
If it is clear to me that you made a solid effort and followed these suggestions, I reserve the right
to bump your final course grade by an amount that will not exceed 5%. Finally, food is not
allowed in the classroom, but covered drinks are allowed.