Possible final grades are A+,A,B,C,D,F. The grade of A+ is for
performance that is a full grade above an A. Grades are based on
homework scores (20%), mid term exam score (35%), and the final exam
(45%). Homework assignments will appear on the web version of this
syllabus (http://www.physics.uiowa.edu/~wpolyzou/phys205/). Homework
solutions will be posted on links to the electronic syllabus.
The mid-term exam will be given after we complete the discussion of
Lagrangian mechanics.
My goal is to cover the following topics in roughly the order:
The material will follow my lecture notes. Most, but not all of
this material appears in the text "Mechanics".
Dirac's book is not really about quantum mechanics. It
is about how to make a Hamiltonian formulation of mechanics when the
Legendre transformation that connects the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian
formulation of mechanics is singular. While this sounds academic, all
of the fundamental forces of nature - the strong, weak, electromagnetic and
gravitational forces (gauge theories) fall into
this class.
The titles below are free to download from a university computer:
Absences and Attendance:
Students are responsible for attending class and for contributing to
the learning environment of a course. Students are also responsible
for knowing their course absence policies, which will vary by
instructor. All absence policies, however, must uphold the UI policy
related to student illness, mandatory religious obligations, including
Holy Day obligations, unavoidable circumstances, or University
authorized activities
attendance-absences. Students
may use the CLAS absence form to aid communication with the instructor
who will decide if the absence is excused or unexcused. The form is
located on ICON within the top banner under "Student Tools."
Academic Integrity:
All undergraduates enrolled in courses offered by CLAS have, in
essence, agreed to the College's Code of Academic Honesty. Misconduct
is reported to the College, resulting in suspension or other
sanctions, with sanctions communicated with the student through UI
email. Visit this page for information:
academic-fraud-honor-code.
Accommodations for Disabilities:
UI is committed to an educational experience that is accessible to all
students. A student may request academic accommodations for a
disability (such as mental health, attention, learning, vision, and
physical or health-related condition) by registering with Student
Disability Services (SDS). The student is then responsible for
discussing specific accommodations with the instructor. More
information is at studentlife
Administrative Home of the Course:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the administrative
home of this course and governs its add/drop deadlines, the
second-grade-only option, and related policies. Other colleges may
have different policies. CLAS policies may be found here:
student handbook.
Classroom Expectations
Students are expected to comply with University policies regarding
appropriate classroom behavior as outlined in the Code of Student
Life. This includes the policies and procedures that all students have
agreed to regarding the Steps Forward for Fall 2020 in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, all students are required to wear a
face cover when in a UI building, including a classroom. In addition,
the density of seats in classrooms has been reduced. In some
instances, this will allow 6 feet or more of distance while other
cases, it may be less. Regardless, wearing face coverings and
maintaining as much distance as is possible are vital to slowing the
spread of COVID-19. In the event that a student disrupts the classroom
environment through their failure to comply with the reasonable
directive of an instructor or the University, the instructor has the
authority to ask that the student immediately leave the space for the
remainder of the class period. Additionally, the instructor is asked
to report the incident to the Office of Student Accountability for the
possibility of additional follow-up. Students who need a temporary
alternative learning arrangement related to COVID-19 expectations
should contact Student Disability Services
temporary learning arrangements;
+1 319 335-1462.
Communication and the Required Use of UI Email:
Students are responsible for official correspondences sent to the UI
email address (uiowa.edu) and must use this address for all
communication within UI (Operations Manual, III.15.2).
Complaints:
Students with a complaint about an academic issue should first visit
with the instructor or course supervisor and then with the Chair of
the department or program offering the course; students may next bring
the issue to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; see this page
for more information:
student-rights-responsibilities
Final Examination Policies:
The final exam schedule is announced around the fifth week of classes;
students are responsible for knowing the date, time, and place of a
final exam. Students should not make travel plans until knowing this
information. No exams of any kind are allowed the week before finals
with a few exceptions made for particular types of courses such as
labs or off-cycle courses:
final-exam-policies.
Nondiscrimination in the Classroom
The University of Iowa is committed to making the classroom a
respectful and inclusive space for people of all gender, sexual,
racial, religious, and other identities. Toward this goal, students
are invited in MyUI to optionally share the names and pronouns they
would like their instructors and advisors to use to address them. The
University of Iowa prohibits discrimination and harassment against
individuals on the basis of race, class, gender, sexual orientation,
national origin, and other identity categories set forth in the
University’s Human Rights policy. For more information, contact the
Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity
diversity; +1 319 335-0705 or
(diversity.uiowa.edu)
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. All members of the UI community must uphold the UI mission and contribute to a safe environment that enhances learning. Incidents of sexual harassment must be reported immediately. For assistance, please see sexual harassment