Course Syllabus

Course title

PHY 3513 Thermal Physics 1

 

Class meeting location

NPB1002.

 

Course objectives and goals

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.

 

Office hours

Tuesday, periods 4 and 5 (10:40 am - 12:35 pm), NPB 2263

 

How to reach me

Use jhamlin@ufl.edu.  Do not use canvas messaging.

 

Course schedule

The full course schedule is available here.

 

Grading scheme

Item	points
Homework	5 (10 graded homeworks)
Quizzes	35 (9 quizzes)
Midterm exams	36 (3 midterms)
ALC test	4
Final exam	20
Extra credit	2

 

Letter grade	Point cutoff
A	90
A-	87
B+	85
B	80
B-	75
C+	70
C	65
C-	60
D+	57
D	53
D-	50
E

The course grades are not curved.

Link to UF grading policy.

 

Homework

There will be 10 graded homework assignments.  You will automatically be allowed to drop your lowest homework score.  So, each HW is worth 0.56% of your grade.  The first homework of the semester will not count for points.  Late homework will not be accepted.  Homework is due at the start of class on most Fridays.  A reasonable attempt at a homework problem will be given nearly full credit and partial solutions to the problems will be made available along with the homework.  We will not have homework due during exam weeks.

 

Quizzes

There will be 9 quizzes.  You will automatically be allowed to drop your lowest quiz score.  So, each quiz is worth 35/8 ~ 4.4% of your grade.  Quizzes will occur on most Wednesdays.  Quizzes are closed notes and closed book, but I will attempt to give you all the information/equations you need to solve.  This is not a course in memorization.  We will not have quizzes during exam weeks.

 

Midterm Exams

There will be three in-class midterm exams, each worth 12% of your grade.  The exams will be based on in-class examples, homework, quizzes, and examples covered in the textbook reading assignments.  Like the quizzes, the exams are closed book and closed notes, but I will attempt to provide you with all the information/equations that you need to solve.

 

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 our final day of class. 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.  The final exam will be worth 20% of the total grade.

 

Extra credit

There will be two extra credit assignments each worth 1% of the final grade.  One will be an in class problem solving challenge.  The other will be a data analysis/programming challenge.

 

Attendance and makeup policy

Regular attendance is expected but not enforced. 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.

 

Accommodations for students with disabilities

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.

 

Required textbook

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

 

Course evaluation process

Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/students/. 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 https://ufl.bluera.com/ufl/. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/public-results/.

 

Honesty policy

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 Conduct Code specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Click here to read the Conduct Code. 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 guest 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.

 

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.