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: Tuesday, Thursday, periods 2 and 3, 8:30 am - 10:25 am

Location of classes: NPB 1002 

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

Office hours: Wednesday, Friday, period 8, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Extra zoom office hour (usually on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm).

Textbook: The required text is David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Kenneth S. Krane, Physics, Volume 2
(5th edition, Wiley) ISBN: 0471401943
 

Prereq: PHY 2060

Coreq: MAC 2313 or the equivalent

General Education Objectives (Physical Science): https://undergrad.aa.ufl.edu/general-education/gen-ed-program/subject-area-objectives/. A minimum grade of C is required for general education credit.

Synopsis: Second course of the enriched sequence. Electricity and magnetism, including electrostatics, Gauss's Law, potentials, vector analysis, Laplace's equation, conductors and insulators, circuits, magnetism, Maxwell's equations and EM fields in matter. 

Course objectives: To obtain a thorough understanding of electrostatic interactions, magnetic interactions and electromagnetic waves. Applications to modern technology and environmental impacts will be emphasized along with a historical perspective. In-class discussions and programming projects are expected to enhance critical thinking and interest in numerical techniques.

Student Learning Outcomes: The laws of physics are the starting point for most scientific research and engineering applications. Students taking this course obtain broad-based knowledge and experience applying these laws. Many students go on to graduate study in physics, and a considerable number pursue advanced degrees in other science disciplines, all branches of engineering and medical school. The learning outcomes students can expect to acquire through successful completion of the course are listed below along with the assignments through which the outcomes will be assessed.

Content:

  • Identify, define and describe a core fields of physics i.e. electromagnetism (Lectures, textbook)
  • Formulate empirically-testable hypotheses derived from the study of physical processes, and apply logical reasoning skills (Homeworks, Quizzes, and Exams)

Critical Thinking:

  • Formulate, solve problems and draw conclusions from data. (Extra credit programming projects)

Communication:

  • Effectively and clearly communicate ideas in speech and in writing in an accepted style. (In-class discussions)

Grading policy:

Homework and in-class quizzes: There will be fourteen graded homework assignments during the semester. A reasonable attempt at a homework problem will be given full credit and partial/full solutions to the problems will be made available along with the homework. The homeworks will also be discussed in class (or extra zoom office hours) and will be worth a total of 3% of the course grade.

About one to two weeks after a homework is assigned, there will be a short (~30 minutes) in-class quiz based on two homework assignments. There will be a total of 5 such quizzes (Q1 to Q5) and the minimum score will be dropped. Each quiz will be worth 8% of the course grade for a total of 32% of the course grade. The problems will usually be multiple choice but partial credit will be given if the calculations shown are partially correct. Also, if your work for the quiz 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. You can have your own work for the corresponding homework assignments and your notes during the quiz.

Mid-term exams: There will be two in-class mid-term exams of one hour duration each, scheduled for February 9 and March 23. Each of these exams will be worth 20% of the total grade. Hence the mid-term exams will constitute 40% of the total grade. The mid-term exams will be based on the homeworks assigned in the previous weeks and the quizzes. Two letter-sized sheets of your own notes will be allowed during these exams.

Final exam: There will be a 100 minutes, cumulative final exam on May 3 from 3:00 pm to 4:40 pm. Details about the exam format will be posted here.  The final exam will be worth 25% of the total grade.

Extra credit: You can earn up to 5% extra credits during the semester. The extra credit will be based on in-class discussions/group work and some (very basic) python programming techniques. I will discuss the programming techniques during the lectures.

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

Grade calculation:

Homework
3% (14 homeworks)
2 mid-term tests
40% (20% each)
Best 4 of 6 quizzes
32% (8% each)
3 extra credits (class projects including programming) 5%
Final exam
25%

 

Letter Grade Percent Score LaTeX: \left(x\right)
A LaTeX: x\ge90\%
A- LaTeX: 90\%\:>x \:\ge87\%
B+ LaTeX: 87\%\:> x\:\ge85\%
B LaTeX: 85\%\:>x \:\ge80\%
B- LaTeX: 80\%\:> x\:\ge75\%
C+ LaTeX: 75\%\:> x\:\ge70\%
LaTeX: 70\%\:> x\:\ge65\%
C- LaTeX: 65\%\:> x\:\ge60\%
D+ LaTeX: 60\%\:> x\:\ge57\%
D LaTeX: 57\%\:> x\:\ge53\%
D- LaTeX: 53\%\:> x\:\ge50\%
E LaTeX: < 50\%

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.

Holidays (no classes): Spring Break (March 14 and 16)

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

Academic Resources

Course Summary:

Date Details Due