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Modern Physics (29:083) Spring 2005
Instructor: John Prineas, Assistant Professor Office: 120 Iowa Advanced Technology Laboratory (IATL) (319) 335-334 Email: john-prineas@uiowa.edu Office hours: Official: Mo 1-2 pm, Th 1-3 pm Unofficial: Feel free to try to catch me after class or in my office. You may want to schedule an appointment ahead of time to insure we meet. Department: Department of Physics and Astronomy Department Office is in 203 Van Allen Department Executive Officer is Professor Thomas Boggess, available for appointment via Heather Mineart, 203 Van Allen, 335-1688
Course location & times: LR2 Van Allen MWF 10:30-11:20 am Course description: This course will cover quantum mechanics, hydrogen atom, atomic and molecular structure, solid state physics, and special relativity. It is primarily for engineering students. Prerequisites: 029:028 or 029:082. Text: Concepts of Modern Physics, 6th ed., A. Beiser (McGraw-Hill, 2003).
Format: Three lectures will be given a week. I encourage you to read materials in the book before I talk about them in class. Questions are encouraged during class. Problem sets will be assigned weekly. Three in class exams will be given and a final. Course website (WebCt): The course website will contain homework assignments, exam and homework solutions, test and homework scores, exam dates and other important information. Everyone should make sure they can log on to the home page right away. The course website may be accessed via WebCt: 1. Go to the URL courses.uiowa.edu 2. Click on “My WebCt” 3. Enter your Hawk ID and password (click help button if you don’t know yours) 4. Click on Modern Physics Homework: Problem sets will be assigned on Fridays both in class and on the course webpage via WebCT, and due the following Friday at the beginning of class. LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Your two lowest homework grades will be dropped in the evaluation of your final grade. Homework solutions will be available on the course webpage via WebCt. Homework will consist of problems from the end of the chapter and other problems I write. Tutorial room: TA's are generally available to answer questions and discuss problems in room 54 VAN during the hours posted on the door. Exams: Three midterm exams will be given, and one final exam. Exam solutions will be available via WebCT. Each exam will consist of work problems. On the midterm exams, you may use a simple calculator and one page (8.5”x11”, both sides) of notes. On the final exam, you may use a simple calculator, the pages of notes from previous exams, plus one extra page (total of four pages). Make-up exams: A make-up exam may be allowed in exceptional circumstances such as serious illness and family emergencies. Documentation of the reasons for missing the exam must be presented. Explanatory Statement of Absence from Class forms can be obtained at the Registration Center, 30 Calvin Hall. Grading: Exam 1: 18.33% Exam 2: 18.33% Exam 3: 18.33% Final: 25% Homework: 20%. You can check your scores on homework and exams on the course webpage via WebCT.
Students with disabilities: I would like to hear from anyone who has a disability which may require some modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Please see me after class or during my office hours. College policy for students with disabilities can be found at the URL http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/faculty/teaching/classroom_p&p/disabilities.shtml. Class attendance: Class attendance is expected. Poor attendance will likely affect the quality of students’ work, and their success in the course. For the situation where a class must be missed, students can obtain assignments and critical dates on the course webpage via WebCT. Plagiarism and cheating: You are also expected to be honest and honorable in your fulfillment of assignments and in test-taking situations. Serious consequences can result from plagiarism and cheating. The College's policy on plagiarism and cheating is on-line in the College's Student Academic Handbook http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/ix.shtml . Student complaints: Students with complaints concerning the course or the course professor should first try to resolve the problem with the professor. If the complaint is not resolved, students have the right to bring the complaint to the attention of the department executive officer (see departmental information at top of syllabus). The college policy on student complaints can be found at http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/ix.shtml. Student responsibilities: Students have a responsibility to the rest of the class and to the instructor to help create a classroom environment where all may learn. At the most basic level, this means that you will respect the other members of the class and the instructor, and treat them with the courtesy you hope to receive in turn.
Tentative schedule: Chapter 1 Special Relativity (briefly) Chapter 2 Particle Properties of Waves Chapter 3 Wave Properties of Particles Chapter 4 Atomic Structure Chapter 5 Quantum Mechanics Chapter 6 Quantum Theory of the Hydrogen Atom Chapter 7 Many-Electron Atoms (briefly) Chapter 8 Molecules (briefly) Chapter 9 Statistical Mechanics (briefly) Chapter 10 The Solid State Chapter 11, 12 Nuclear Structure and Transformations, excerpts, as time permits |