Spring 1999 Syllabus for PHYS 320: Modern Physics
Instructor
Dr. Alison Baski, Oliver Hall North-Room 2017
Phone: 828-8295; Email: aabaski@vcu.edu
Course Homepage: http://www.courses.vcu.edu/PHYS320/
Office Hours: Mon 1-3 pm or by appointment (Rm 2017)
OPTIONAL
Textbook
Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers
J.R. Taylor, C.D. Zafiratos, and M.A. Dubson, 2nd ed.
Sections in the following chapters may be useful to read : 1-10, 12-14, 16, 17.
Note: ANY modern physics book will have sections on material covered in class.
Grading Policy
20% Homework [drop lowest]
20% Quizzes [drop lowest]
24% (or 36%) Exams [2 x 12% (or 2 x 18%)]
36% (or 24%) Final Exam
Your percentage grade will be the higher value calculated using two different methods. In
Method #1, the exams will be weighted by 36% and the Final Exam by 24%. In Method
#2, the exams will be weighted by 24% and the Final Exam by 36%.
Tentative letter grades will be assigned on the following scale:
A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69%, and F: <60%
Homework
20% - 1 dropped
Homework is due at the beginning of class on the assigned Monday lectures (see Course
Schedule). No late homework will be accepted; however, your lowest homework grade
will be dropped. Homework problems are to be only written on the FRONT SIDE of
each piece of paper. It is preferred that each problem be put on a separate page.
Quizzes
20% - 1 dropped
A closed-book quiz will be given at the beginning of class on the assigned Wednesday
lectures (see Course Schedule). Each quiz will consist of two problems which are very
similar to homework problems taken from the assignment due that week. There will be no
make-up quizzes; however, your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
Midterm Exams:
36% (or 24%)
Two Midterm Exams will be given during the Wednesday class meetings (see Course
Schedule). Each of these exams will count 12% (or 18%) towards your final grade (see
Grading Policy). There will be no makeup exams. If you miss an exam AND the absence
is excusable, then your final average will be computed using a weight of 24% for the
remaining Midterm Exam and 36% for the Final Exam.
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Final Exam
24% (or 36%)
The Final Exam will be comprehensive and cover the entire range of topics in the
course.
Honor Code
Please read the VCU Honor System Statement. Clear and convincing evidence of honor
system violations in this class will result in the submission of formal written charges to
the Honor System Coordinator. Under these circumstances I do not give warnings or ask
students for explanations.
Students with
Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires Virginia Commonwealth University
to provide a "reasonable accommodation" to any individual who advises us of a physical
or mental disability. If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an
accommodation or an academic adjustment, please arrange a meeting with me at your
earliest convenience.
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Physics 320 Schedule – Spring 2004
Dates
Topic Area
HW Due
(Mon)
Quiz (Wed)
Jan 21, 26,
28
1: Atomic Nuclear Model
Feb 2
Feb 4
Feb 2, 4
2: Wave/Particle Duality - Part 1
Feb 9
Feb 11
Feb 9, 11
3: Wave/Particle Duality - Part 2
Feb 16
Feb 18
Feb 16, 18
4: Wave Packets
Feb 23
none
Feb 23
Review for Exam #1
Feb 25
Midterm Exam I, Topics 1 to 4
Mar 1, 3, 8
5: Schroedinger's Equation
Mar 10, 22,
24
6: Atomic Physics
Mar 29, 31
7: Solid State Physics
Apr 5
Review for Exam #2
Apr 7
Mar 22
Mar 24
Mar 29
Mar 31
Apr 5
none
Midterm Exam II, Topics 5 to 7
Apr 12, 14
8: Nuclear Physics
Apr 19
Apr 21
Apr 19, 21
9: Relativity - Part 1
Apr 26
Apr 28
Apr 26, 28
10: Relativity - Part 2
none
none
May 3
Review for Final Exam
May 10 at 4-6:50p (Monday)
Comprehensive Final