Course Syllabus

Instructor: Prof. Amlan Biswas

Contact Information:

• Email Address: amlan@ufl.edu (all email communication related to the course will be through canvas)
  
• Office: NPB 2255
• Office Phone Number: 352 392 8592

Class hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, period 7, 1:55 pm - 2:45 pm

Location of classes: NPB 1002

In addition, lectures will be livestreamed and recorded (and then posted on zoom) for the first few weeks. The quizzes and exams will all be in the F2F mode.

COVID-19 Information:

In response to COVID-19, the following practices are in place to maintain your learning environment, to enhance the safety of our in-classroom interactions, and to  further the health and safety of ourselves, our neighbors, and our loved ones.  

You are expected to wear approved face coverings at all times during class and within buildings even if you are vaccinated.  Please continue to follow healthy habits, including best practices like frequent hand washing.  Following these practices is our responsibility as Gators.  

• If you are not vaccinated, get vaccinated.  Vaccines are readily available at no cost and have been demonstrated to be safe and effective against the COVID-19 virus. Visit this link for details on where to get your shot, including options that do not require an appointment: https://coronavirus.ufhealth.org/vaccinations/vaccine-availability/ (Links to an external site.). Students who receive the first dose of the vaccine somewhere off-campus and/or outside of Gainesville can still receive their second dose on campus.
  

• If you are sick, stay home and self-quarantine.  Please visit the UF Health Screen, Test & Protect website about next steps, retake the questionnaire and schedule your test for no sooner than 24 hours after your symptoms began. Please call your primary care provider if you are ill and need immediate care or the UF Student Health Care Center at 352-392-1161 (or email covid@shcc.ufl.edu) to be evaluated for testing and to receive further instructions about returning to campus. UF Health Screen, Test & Protect offers guidance when you are sick, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive or have tested positive yourself. Visit the UF Health Screen, Test & Protect website (Links to an external site.) for more information. 

• Course materials will be provided to you with an excused absence, and you will be given a reasonable amount of time to make up work.  
• If you are withheld from campus by the Department of Health through Screen, Test & Protect you are not permitted to use any on campus facilities. Students attempting to attend campus activities when withheld from campus will be referred to the Dean of Students Office.

• Continue to regularly visit coronavirus.UFHealth.org and coronavirus.ufl.edu for up-to-date information about COVID-19 and vaccination.  

Tech support: If you have a technical issue with Canvas or Zoom, please consult UF IT Help immediately (352-392-HELP / 352-392-4357)

Office hours: Office hours will be in-person but if you are unable to wear a mask during the meeting, you can make an appointment on zoom. In-person office hour times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, period 8, 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm.

Textbook: The required text is Blundell and Blundell, Concepts in Thermal Physics, (2nd edition, Oxford University Press) ISBN: 9780199562107.

Coreq: PHY 2049 or equivalent

Synopsis: First part of the  PHY 3513-PHY4523 sequence. Treatment of classical thermodynamics including fundamental postulates, entropy, equations of states. Thermodynamic equilibrium and potentials, Maxwell relations, phase transitions. Physics 3513 will cover selected chapters of the textbook. See outline for details. Lecture slides will be available, usually, a day before class on this website.

Course objectives: To obtain a thorough understanding of thermal physics with detailed mathematical treatment. The link between microscopic and macroscopic properties will be explored. Applications to modern technology will be emphasized along with a historical perspective.

Grading policy:

Homework and in-class zoom quizzes: There will be nine graded homework assignments during the semester (HW0 is not for grade). A reasonable attempt at a homework problem will be given full credit and partial solutions to the problems will be made available along with the homework. The homeworks will also be discussed in class and will be worth a total of 5% of the course grade.

About a week after the homework is assigned, there will be a short (~20 minutes) in-class quiz based on that homework. There will be a total of 9 such quizzes (Quiz 1 to Quiz 9) and the minimum two scores will be dropped. Each quiz will be worth 5% of the course grade for a total of 35% of the course grade (only Quiz 0 will be for practice and not for grade, Quiz 1 to Quiz 9 will be graded). The problems will usually be multiple choice but partial credit will be given if the calculations are shown to be partially correct. If your work does not show how you arrived at the correct answer, then no points will be given even if you have selected the correct answer in the multiple choice. See course schedule for homework and quiz dates. During the quizzes, you can have your own work for the corresponding homework assignment (only the work uploaded on canvas) and your class notes. The homework and notes have to be on paper and not on an electronic device. The quizzes will usually be on Wednesdays.

Video lectures (not for grade): The video lectures will be like “trailers” for topics to be covered during the upcoming week. These videos will hopefully enhance the discussion of topics during lectures and encourage student participation. Two short videos will be made available on most Thursdays. The videos will describe briefly the topics to be covered during the zoom lectures on the following Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each video will have embedded questions which students should be able to answer before the lecture on that topic.

Mid-term exams: There will be THREE IN CLASS MID-TERM EXAMS of 50 minutes duration, scheduled for February 2, March 2, and March 30. Each of these exams will be worth 12% of the total grade. Hence the mid-term exams will constitute 36% of the total grade. The mid-term exams will be based on the homeworks assigned in the previous weeks and the quizzes. During the exams, you can have your own work for the homework assignment (only the work uploaded on canvas), your class notes, and quizzes. The homework and notes have to be on paper and not on an electronic device.

ALC test: The ALC is a field test on selected topics created by faculty in the department. The student scores are used for review of the physics program. This ALC test will consist of 15 multiple choice questions on various topics expected to be covered in a thermal physics course. The test will be given during class on April 18, 2022 with a time limit of 50 minutes (1:55 pm to 2:45 pm). This test will be worth 4% of the total grade. Homework, notes, and textbook are not allowed for this test.

Final exam: There will be a 100 minutes, cumulative final exam on April 28 starting 12:30 pm. Details about the exam format will be posted here.  The final exam will be worth 20% of the total grade. During the exam, you can have your own work for the homework assignment (only the work uploaded on canvas), your class notes, and quizzes. The homework and notes have to be on paper and not on an electronic device.

Extra credit programming project: There will be a programming project worth 2 extra credits. The project will be based on concepts and techniques learned during the semester. Basic python techniques will be discussed in class or in the assigned homeworks.

Make-ups: Make-up tests and quizzes will be given if a situation satisfies the make-up policy (see below).

Grade calculation:

Homework	5% (9 homeworks)
3 mid-term tests	36% (12% each)
Best 7 of 9 zoom quizzes	35% (5% each)
ALC test	4%
Final exam	20%
2 extra credits (programming project)	2%

 

Letter Grade	Percent Score $$$$
A	$$$\mathrm{}$
A-	$$$$$\mathrm{}$
B+	$$$$$\mathrm{}$
B	$$$$$\mathrm{}$
B-	$$$\ge$$\mathrm{}$$\mathrm{}$
C+	$$$$$\mathrm{}$$$$$$\mathrm{}$
C	$$$$$\mathrm{}$$$$$$\mathrm{}$
C-	$$$$$\mathrm{}$$$$$$\mathrm{}$
D+	$$$$$\mathrm{}$$$$\mathrm{}$
D	$$$\ge$$\mathrm{}$
D-	$$$$$\mathrm{}$
E	$$$\mathrm{}$

The percent score ranges may be lowered, depending upon numerous factors, but will not be raised. The course grades are not curved. Link to UF grading policy.

Attendance and make up assignments/tests: Regular attendance is expected but not enforced. In class quizzes are announced in advance. Make up quizzes/exams will be given for valid excused absences. Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies. Excused absences must be consistent with university policies and require appropriate documentation.  Click here to read the university attendance policies.

Holiday (no classes): Martin Luther King Day (January 17)

Course evaluations: Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Click here for guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via ufl.bluera.com/ufl/. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students here.

Accommodations: Students with disabilities who experience learning barriers and would like to request academic accommodations should connect with the disability Resource Center. Click here to get started with the Disability Resource Center. It is important for students to share their accommodation letter with their instructor and discuss their access needs, as early as possible in the semester.

Academic Honesty: UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Honor Code specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Click here to read the Honor Code. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.

In-class recording: 

Students are allowed to record video or audio of class lectures. However, the purposes for which these recordings may be used are strictly controlled.  The only allowable purposes are (1) for personal educational use, (2) in connection with a complaint to the university, or (3) as evidence in, or in preparation for, a criminal or civil proceeding.  All other purposes are prohibited.  Specifically, students may not publish recorded lectures without the written consent of the instructor.    

A “class lecture” is an educational presentation intended to inform or teach enrolled students about a particular subject, including any instructor-led discussions that form part of the presentation, and delivered by any instructor hired or appointed by the University, or by a guest instructor, as part of a University of Florida course. A class lecture does not include lab sessions, student presentations, clinical presentations such as patient history, academic exercises involving solely student participation, assessments (quizzes, tests, exams), field trips, private conversations between students in the class or between a student and the faculty or lecturer during a class session.    

Publication without permission of the instructor is prohibited. To “publish” means to share, transmit, circulate, distribute, or provide access to a recording, regardless of format or medium, to another person (or persons), including but not limited to another student within the same class section. Additionally, a recording, or transcript of a recording, is considered published if it is posted on or uploaded to, in whole or in part, any media platform, including but not limited to social media, book, magazine, newspaper, leaflet, or third party note/tutoring services. A student who publishes a recording without written consent may be subject to a civil cause of action instituted by a person injured by the publication and/or discipline under UF Regulation 4.040 Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code.

Statement on inclusion and diversity:

Physics is practiced and advanced by a scientific community of individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities and is open and welcoming to everyone. The instructor recognizes the value in diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of this course. This includes, but is not limited to differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, religion and disability. Students may have opportunities to work together in this course. I expect respectful student collaborations such as attentive listening and responding to the contributions of all teammates.

Physics, like all human endeavors, is something that is learned. My aim is to foster an atmosphere of learning that is based on inclusion, transparency and respect for all participants.  I acknowledge the different needs and perspectives we bring to our common learning space and strive to provide everyone with equal access. All students meeting the course prerequisites belong here and are well positioned for success.

Campus resources:

Health and Wellness

• U Matter, We Care: If you or someone you know is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu, 352-392-1575, or visit U Matter, We Care website to refer or report a concern and a team member will reach out to the student in distress.
• Counseling and Wellness Center: Visit the Counseling and Wellness Center website or call 352-392-1575 for information on crisis services as well as non-crisis services.
• Student Health Care Center: Call 352-392-1161 for 24/7 information to help you find the care you need, or visit the Student Health Care Center website.
• University Police Department: Visit UF Police Department website or call 352-392-1111 (or 9-1-1 for emergencies).
• UF Health Shands Emergency Room / Trauma Center: For immediate medical care call 352-733-0111 or go to the emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608; Visit the UF Health Emergency Room and Trauma Center website.

Academic Resources

• E-learning technical support: Contact the UF Computing Help Desk at 352-392-4357 or via e-mail at helpdesk@ufl.edu.
• Career Connections Center: Reitz Union Suite 1300, 352-392-1601. Career assistance and counseling services.
• Library Support: Various ways to receive assistance with respect to using the libraries or finding resources.
• Teaching Center: Broward Hall, 352-392-2010 or to make an appointment 352- 392-6420. General study skills and tutoring.
• Writing Studio: 2215 Turlington Hall, 352-846-1138. Help brainstorming, formatting, and writing papers.
• Student Complaints On-Campus: Visit the Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code webpage for more information.
• On-Line Students Complaints: View the Distance Learning Student Complaint Process.