Course Syllabus – Physics 308 (Mechanics) – Fall 2009

 Instructor:  Dr. Kenneth A. Pestka II

 Time:  TWRF    2PM-3PM

 Office:  157 Bush Science Center

 Lecture Hall:  105 Bush Science Center

Office Hours: TBA

                    or by Appointment

 Textbook: “Analytical Mechanics 7th edition” by Fowles and Cassiday

 Phone:  407-691-1279 

 e-mail:  kpestka@rollins.edu

 

Materials:  In addition to the textbook, the student will need a scientific calculator with trigonometric functions (such as a TI-30X). The use of a graphing calculator is prohibited in class.

 

Lectures: will not necessarily cover all of the material on which the student will be tested

      -The student is responsible for the material indicated by the instructor.

 

Objectives:  Classical mechanics is one of the most fundamental courses in physics. All of your later courses will build on the concepts and techniques learned in this course. The objective of this course is for the student to acquire a working knowledge of

-          Dimensional analysis, Newton’s laws, conservation principles

-          Oscillatory motion, resonance, continuum mechanics

-          Rigid body behavior,  gravitation, central forces,

-          Orbits, collisions, non-inertial reference frames,

-          Euler-Lagrange equations and Hamilton’s principle

Grading:

24%

Homework (drop 1)

10%

Class Participation / Quizzes

42%

3 Exams

24%

Final Exam

 

I will adhere to the definition of grades as outlined in the College Catalogue:

Grade ‘A’ is reserved for that work that is exceptional in quality and shows keen insight, understanding and initiative.

Grade ‘B’ is given for work that is consistently superior and shows interest, effort, or originality.

Grade ‘C’ is a respectable grade.  A ‘C’ average (2.00) is required for graduation.  It reflects consistent daily preparation and satisfactory completion of all work required.

Grade D’ is the lowest passing grade.  It is below the average necessary to meet graduation requirements and ordinarily is not accepted for transfer by other institutions.

Grade ‘F’ is failing.

This is the standard grading scale. A more generous scale (a curve) will be used if necessary.

A

90-100%

A-

85-90%

B+

82-85%

B

78-82%

B-

75-78%

C+

70-75%

C

65-70%

C-

60-65%

D

50-60%

F

0-50%

 

Homework:   All assignments will be due at the beginning of class. NO HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DUE DATE.  Homework problems showing only the answer WILL NOT BE GRADED (show your work and clearly label each step!).

 

Class Participation: Students may be required to present assigned problems as part of the in class problem solving session and will be evaluated on their level of preparation and level of participation.

 

Quizzes: Periodic unannounced quizzes may be given at the beginning or end of class.

Exams: Three in-class midterm exams will be given. The exam with the lowest score will be replaced by the final exam if the final exam grade is higher. There will be no make up exams.

Final Exam: The final exam is mandatory. The final exam will be cumulative with an emphasis on material covered since the 3rd midterm exam. The date and time of the final will be announced in class.  There are no make-ups for the final exam.

THE ACADEMIC HONOR CODE

Membership in the student body of Rollins College carries with it an obligation, and requires a commitment, to act with honor in all things. Because academic integrity is fundamental to the pursuit of knowledge and truth and is the heart of the academic life of Rollins College, it is the responsibility of all members of the College community to practice it and to report apparent violations.

The following pledge is a binding commitment by the students of Rollins College:

The development of the virtues of Honor and Integrity are integral to a Rollins College education and to membership in the Rollins College community.  Therefore, I, a student of Rollins College, pledge to show my commitment to these virtues by abstaining from any lying, cheating, or plagiarism in my academic endeavors and by behaving responsibly, respectfully and honorably in my social life and in my relationships with others. 

This pledge is reinforced every time a student submits work for academic credit as his/her own.  Students shall add to all papers, quizzes, tests, lab reports, etc., the following handwritten abbreviated pledge followed by their signature:

“On my honor, I have not given, nor received, nor witnessed any unauthorized assistance on this work.”

Material submitted electronically should contain the pledge; submission implies signing the pledge.

 Cheating of ANY kind will result in an F for the course as well as notification of the appropriate offices, which may result in suspension or expulsion from the college.

 

Disabilities Statement

 

Rollins College is committed to equal access and does not discriminate unlawfully against persons with disabilities in its policies, procedures, programs or employment processes. The College recognizes its obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to provide an environment that does not discriminate against persons with disabilities.

 

If you are a person with a disability on this campus and anticipate needing any type of academic accommodations in order to participate in your classes, please make timely arrangements by disclosing this disability in writing to the Disability Services Office at (box 2613) - Thomas P. Johnson Student Resource Center, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, FL, 37289 or call 407-646-2354 for an appointment.