Physics 314: Classical Mechanics 
Fall 2007
Ivers 292, 11:50-1:00, MWF
 
 

Course Schedule

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Instructor:  Dr. Paul Seifert

Class Overview
Welcome to Classical Mechanics!  In this class, you will learn no new physics. Instead, you will learn advanced methods for solving problems as they pertain to the equations of motion of mechanical systems.  We will  review Newton's Laws, oscillators (coupled or otherwise), central force motion,  gravity,  non-inertial reference frames, rotation of rigid bodies, and even some calculus of variations along with Lagrangians and Hamiltonians.  Much of this is stuff you studied in Physics 128, but now we will add all of the bits you neglected in that class such as friction, drag, etc.  In other words, your introductory physics class was fine, but here you will learn how it's really done.

For some of you, this is your first advanced class in physics.  For others, this may be one of the last ones you are taking here. Either way, I guarantee you will see something new.  Please let me know ASAP if you are having problems or don't understand something.  In many cases, the methods you learn in one chapter will be carried over to the next ones, so falling behind would not go over well.

Homework and Other Assignments
There will be homework assignments given weekly, to be due at the start of class on the due date.  Late homework will not be accepted.  These will be mainly questions from the ends of the chapters, and you will be given a week or so to do them.  I encourage you to work together on these assignments.  Solutions will be made available in the student study room.

We will have only two tests: a mid-term and a final.  Because of the nature of problems in this class (namely, they take some time to do), these tests will focus on explanations of things you have learned in the course, with some limited types of problems.  There may be a take-home portion also.

Instead of regular tests, I will assign about six master problems throughout the semester.  These will be more complicated and longer problems, and you will generally have only a the time between class periods to complete them.  Because these are taking the place of regular season tests, they are solo efforts.  You may not ask any classmates for help or answers, but I will be available if needed.

You will be allowed to use Mathematica to do your homework and master problems, except for problems where I will specifically prohibit it.  If used, you must reference it and recopy all equations solved by it on your homework paper, using the standard textbook notation.  In other words, complete your homework as normal, but if you use Mathematica to solve intermediate steps, say so, and put the answer on your homework page.  You will then staple your raw Mathematica code to the end of your assignment.  No straight Mathematica notebooks will be accepted at any time.

You may make up master problems and tests, if you have a really good excuse.  These include illness, family deaths, and school activities such as school-sanctioned sports or music activities.  I may require documentation of any of this at my discretion.  If you will be gone for an official school activity, you must inform me before the fact, and turn in homework if it is due during your absence.  Make-ups will be handled on a case-by-case basis.   If you miss notes or a homework assignment, it is your responsibility to get those on your own, usually from a classmate (notes), or me (assignments).  You will be required to take the final at the scheduled time (Friday, December 14, 11:00am-1:00pm).  The only exceptions made will be for those who might have three or more tests that day.

Cheating is bad, in a big way.  The policies of the college regarding this are outlined in “Academic Integrity at Concordia College,” which you are expected to have read.  Cheating and plagiarism (copying someone's work and handing it is as your own) are fairly easy to detect.  I have a  "Zero Tolerence" policy:  if you are caught cheating, you will fail the entire course, regardless of how big or small the assignment or test was.

I encourage all of you to seek help if you need it.  The earlier you do so, the better.  My office hours are listed above, and my schedule is posted on my office door.  I am generally there from 8:30-4:30 everyday, and my door is usually open (unless of course I’m in another class, meeting, or lab).  The worst time to see me is the 15 minutes before class or around lunchtime, especially if it’s about homework due shortly.

Your final grade will be determined as follows:  Homework (and quizzes) – 20%; Mid-Term Test – 25%; Final Test – 25%; Master Problems – 35%.

The final letter grade will be loosely based on the following scale (after taking into account any curves I may have used):
 93 – 100% A
 90 – 92% A-
 87 – 89% B+
 83 – 86% B
 80 – 82% B-
 77 – 79% C+
 73 – 76% C
 70 – 72% C-
 67 – 69% D+
 63 – 66% D
 60 – 62% D-
 Under 60% F
 
 

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