Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of Chemistry / Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science Chemistry 3305 / Physics 3303 Materials Science Fall 2015 Note: The only difference between Chemistry 3305 and Physics 3303 is that Chemistry 3305 has
a lab (20 hours per term) and Physics 3303 has a term paper.
Instructors:
Lectures: Dr. Mary Anne White, mawhite@dal.ca, Office: Chem 314, Tel: 902-494-3894
Lab: Dr. Gianna Aleman, gianna.aleman@dal.ca, Tel: 902-494-3827
Lectures:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:35 am to 9:55 am, Chemistry Building, Room 223
Laboratories: Tuesdays, starting at 10:05 until 13:55. First lab is on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.
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Course Description
This course emphasizes the principles involved in understanding physical properties of materials,
such as thermal and mechanical stability, and electrical and optical properties. All phases of
matter are examined: gases, liquids, films, liquid crystals, perfect crystals, defective solids,
glasses. Important processes such as photography and Xerography are explained.
Course Prerequisites
CHEM 2301.03 (grade of C- or better) or PHYC 2520.03 or PHYC 3200.03 (can be a
corequisite) or ERTH 2001.03/2002.03 or ENGI 2800.03 or permission of instructor.
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Students will gain an appreciation of the principles behind the physical basis of properties of
materials, including optical, thermal, electronic, magnetic and mechanical properties. In addition,
they will see the links between properties. A key concept is band theory of materials. Students
will learn about various types of materials and phases of matter (e.g., glasses, liquid crystals,
ceramics, composites) in terms of their properties.
1 Course Materials
The required textbook for Chem3305/Phys3303 is “Physical Properties of Materials” by Mary
Anne White (CRC Press, 2012). This textbook is available at the Dalhousie Bookstore, for
purchase or rental. It can also be obtained as an electronic version from outside vendors.
This class has a website on OWL (BbLearn). Note that it is one site for Chemistry 3305 /
Physics 3303. Also, more information about the textbook, including several useful resources, can
be found at www.physicalpropertiesofmaterials.com
Course Assessment
Component
Weight (% of final grade)
Date
Term Tests
23%
Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 8:35 am
Quizzes
8%
dates announced in the class prior to quiz
Assigned Problems
10%
assigned regular; independent work is
expected
Class Participation
3%
for bringing relevant new material to the
attention of the class (details to be provided
in class)
Lab (Chem 3305)
or Paper (Phys3303)
15%
15%
Final exam
41%
TOTAL
....................... details to follow
....................... due 8:35 am, Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Scheduled by Registrar
100%
Other course requirements
Chemistry 3305: You must pass the lab (>50%) to pass the course.
Physics 3303: You must pass the term paper (>50%) to pass the course.
For both Chemistry 3305 and Physics 3303: Effective September 1, 2014, the Department of
Chemistry policy is that for all Chemistry courses beyond first year, a minimum grade of 50% on
the written test/final exam component is required in order to pass the course. This policy will
apply to both Chemistry 3305 and Physics 3303, so you must have a passing grade (>50%) on
the term test / final exam (i.e., weighting the term test 23 marks and the final 41 marks) to pass
the course.
Chemistry 3305: Students must pass the online Safety Module by the deadline. Details are
provided in the OWL (BbLearn) website.
2 Chemistry 3305: If you are repeating the course and had a passing (>50%) lab grade the previous
time you took the course, you can apply to Dr. Aleman to receive a lab exemption only if you
took the course in the immediately previous academic year. Whether or not you receive an
exemption is Dr. Aleman’s decision.
There is no supplemental examination in this class.
Conversion of numerical grades to Final Letter Grades follows the Dalhousie Common
Grade Scale
A+ (90-100) B+ (77-79)
C+ (65-69) D
(50-54)
A (85-89)
B (73-76)
C (60-64)
F
(<50)
A- (80-84) B- (70-72)
C- (55-59)
Course Policies
Emergencies: If you are too ill to write a test or examination or complete an assignment in this
class, please arrange for a medical certificate, as per the regulations in the University Calendar.
A student who is well enough to write a test will not be allowed a re-write. However, if you are
ill or experiencing an extreme personal emergency at the time of a test or an assignment, call me
(leave a message on the machine if necessary) or email mawhite@dal.ca to inform me of the
situation. There will be no make-up tests, quizzes or assignments. In the case of an excused
assignment, the others will be weighted more heavily. For an excused test or quiz, the marks for
the relevant sections of the final exam will be used in place of the missed test or quiz mark.
Solutions to Problems and Tests: Worked solutions and marking schemes for assigned
problems and for the term test and quizzes will be posted in a glassed-in bulletin board in the
hallway of the third floor of the Chemistry Building. They will not be made available
electronically. Due to space limitations, each solution set will only be available for a limited
time. It is your responsibility to check your work against the posted solutions as soon as your
work is returned to you.
Email: It is each student’s responsibility to read her/his Dalhousie email and the BbLearn/OWL
website.
Cancelled Classes: In the case of a weather-related closure of the University, notification will be
on the Dalhousie website and on local radio stations. If a class needs to be cancelled in another
emergency, every attempt will be made to contact students via email and/or OWL/BbLearn.
Social Etiquette: No cell phone use (including no texting) in class, please.
3 Important Dates
Monday, October 12 - Thanksgiving Day (university closed)
Thursday, October 22 - Term Test (in class)
Wednesday, November 11 – Remembrance Day (University closed)
Thursday, November 12 – Study Day (no classes)
Tuesday, November 17 - Term Papers Due (Physics 3303 students only)
Tuesday, December 8 - last day of classes
Thursday, December 10 - exams begin
Sunday, December 20 - examinations end
Course Content
Introduction to Materials Science
Colour and other Optical Properties of Materials
Thermal Properties of Materials
Electrical Properties of Materials
Magnetic Properties of Materials
Mechanical Properties of Materials
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ACCOMMODATION POLICY FOR STUDENTS
Students may request accommodation as a result of barriers related to disability, religious
obligation, or any characteristic protected under Canadian Human Rights legislation. The full
text of Dalhousie’s Student Accommodation Policy can be accessed here:
http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/student-accommodation-policywef-sep--1--2014.html
Students who require accommodation for classroom participation or the writing of tests and
exams should make their request to the Advising and Access Services Centre (AASC) prior to
or at the outset of the regular academic year. More information and the Request for
Accommodation form are available at www.dal.ca/access.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic integrity, with its embodied values, is seen as a foundation of Dalhousie University. It
is the responsibility of all students to be familiar with behaviours and practices associated with
academic integrity. Instructors are required to forward any suspected cases of plagiarism or other
forms of academic cheating to the Academic Integrity Officer for their Faculty.
The Academic Integrity website (http://academicintegrity.dal.ca) provides students and faculty
with information on plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty, and has resources to
help students succeed honestly. The full text of Dalhousie’s Policy on Intellectual Honesty and
Faculty Discipline Procedures is available here:
http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/academic-integrity/academic-policies.html
4 STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Dalhousie University has a student code of conduct, and it is expected that students will adhere
to the code during their participation in lectures and other activities associated with this course.
In general:
“The University treats students as adults free to organize their own personal lives, behaviour and
associations subject only to the law, and to University regulations that are necessary to protect
 the integrity and proper functioning of the academic and non – academic programs and
activities of the University or its faculties, schools or departments;
 the peaceful and safe enjoyment of University facilities by other members of the
University and the public;
 the freedom of members of the University to participate reasonably in the programs of the
University and in activities on the University's premises;
 the property of the University or its members.”
The full text of the code can be found here:
http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/student-life/code-of-student-conduct.html
5 SERVICES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS The following campus services are available to help students develop skills in library research, scientific writing, and effective study habits. The services are available to all Dalhousie students and, unless noted otherwise, are free. Service Support Provided Location Contact Help with Killam Library In person: Killam Library Rm G28 General Ground floor By appointment: Academic ‐ understanding degree requirements and Rm G28 ‐ e‐mail: advising@dal.ca Advising Dalhousie Libraries academic regulations ‐ choosing your major ‐ achieving your educational or career goals ‐ dealing with academic or other difficulties Help to find books and articles for assignments Help with citing sources in the text of your paper and preparation of bibliography Help to develop essential Studying for Success study skills through small group workshops or one‐
(SFS) on‐one coaching sessions Writing Centre Bissett Centre for Academic Success Killam Library
Ground floor Librarian offices Killam Library 3rd floor Coordinator Rm 3104 Match to a tutor for help in course‐specific content (for a reasonable fee) Study Coaches Rm 3103 Meet with coach/tutor to discuss writing assignments (e.g., lab report, research paper, thesis, poster) Killam Library Ground floor Learning Commons & Rm G25 ‐ Learn to integrate source material into your own work appropriately In person: Service Point (Ground floor) By appointment: Identify your subject librarian (URL below) and contact
by email or phone to arrange a time: http://dal.beta.libguides.com/sb.php?subject_id=34328 To make an appointment: ‐ Visit main office (Killam Library main floor, Rm G28) ‐ Call (902) 494‐3077 ‐ email Coordinator at: sfs@dal.ca or ‐ Simply drop in to see us during posted office hours All information can be found on our website: www.dal.ca/sfs To make an appointment: ‐ Visit the Centre (Rm G25) and book an appointment ‐ Call (902) 494‐1963 ‐ email writingcentre@dal.ca ‐ Book online through MyDal We are open six days a week See our website: writingcentre.dal.ca ‐ Learn about disciplinary writing from a peer or staff member in your field 6 ‐ Phone: (902) 494‐3077 ‐ Book online through MyDal INTELLECTUAL HONESTY DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY The following sections on University Regulations are extracted from the undergraduate Calendar. Please read this carefully and make sure that you follow this in ALL your work. Intellectual Honesty 1. A University should epitomize the quest for intellectual honesty. Failure to measure up to the quest for such a standard can involve either academic offenses at one end of the spectrum or substandard work warranting lowered or failing grades at the other end. 2. Dalhousie University defines plagiarism as the presentation of the work of another author in such a way as to give one's reader reason to believe it to be one's own. Plagiarism is a form of academic fraud. Plagiarism is a serious academic offence which may lead to loss of credit, suspension or expulsion from the University, or even revocation of a degree. 3. Academic research is predicated on the presentation of accurate and honestly derived data. The falsification of data in reports, theses, dissertations and other presentations is a serious academic offence, equivalent in degree to plagiarism, for which the penalties may include revocation of degrees, loss of credits or suspension or expulsion from the University. 4. The University attaches great importance to the contribution of original thought to scholarship. It attaches equal importance to the correct attribution of authorities from which facts and opinions have been derived. The proper use of footnotes and other methods of attribution varies from discipline to discipline. Failure to abide by the standards of the discipline concerned in the preparation of essays, term papers and dissertations or theses can result (in) grading penalties .... even in the absence of any INTENTION to be dishonest. As approved at the Dalhousie University Senate (March 13, 1995), all adjudication of suspected academic offenses is to be carried out by the Senate Discipline Committee, by the instructor reporting to the Senate Discipline Officer. When individual work is called for it is a serious academic offense to submit the unreferenced work of another. Examples of academic violations include unauthorized pooling of laboratory results; copying of another person's laboratory report or assignment; loaning of laboratory results, reports or assignments to another student (even in a different year).
7 STATEMENT OF TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
By their very nature, all people are inquisitive. The goal of education should be to
encourage seeking answers, as this is how society advances. One of my aims is to facilitate this
advancement of knowledge, as a foundation for a life-long approach to advanced learning. The
main theme of my teaching philosophy is reasoned thought.
Whether in the classroom or in meeting groups of the general public, my goal is to
encourage thinking in rational ways, so that this reasoning can be applied in other, unfamiliar
situations. I particularly try to emphasize thinking about trends and directions (e.g., increasing
this will decrease that), rather than rote memorization of facts.
To further encourage seeking answers to the questions around us, I try to encourage the
questions themselves. All teachers should do so, but it is difficult to “allow the time” for this to
take place, especially in a lecture setting. This is one purpose of the Tutorials in the textbook for
this course: through them we will think through various applications of principles introduced in
lectures, and answer questions collectively. As the subject of this class is particularly prone to
provoke us to wonder about the world around us, please feel free to ask questions! If the class
time does not seem appropriate for this, please ask before or after class, by email, or drop by my
office. Another aspect of questioning is to ask each student in Chemistry 3305 /Physics 3303 to
bring a short discussion point to the class, e.g., with a real-life materials example, as part of the
class participation grade.
Another important element of my teaching philosophy is encouraging reasoned written
and oral work, especially in developing logical arguments. In this course there will be written
work concerning the lab (Chemistry 3305 students) or term paper (Physics 3303 students).
Finally, I aim to encourage a sense of wonderment in the world around us. Although I
am a scientist and teach mostly science students, this is not, in my mind, an exclusive club. All
people are scientists. We all wonder about the world around us. We must continue to ask the
“how?” and “why?” questions in order to advance. Only if answers to these questions continue
to come (either from the teacher, or, better yet, through reasoned thought on the part of the one
asking), will the questions continue to flow. And asking, and answering, such questions is what
makes us human.
Mary Anne White
September 2015
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