PHYS 102 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Course Description

College Physics: Electricity and Magnetism, and Modern Physics

Credit: Credit is not given for both PHYS 102 and either PHYS 212 or PHYS 214.

Prerequisite: PHYS 101.

Physics 102 is a non-calculus-based approach to electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. Topics covered include:

• electric forces and fields
• electric potential
• electric circuits
• magnetic forces and fields
• geometrical optics
• interference and diffraction
• quantum mechanics
• Einstein's theory of relativity

Course Goals

By the end of this course the student will be able to:

• describe the physics concepts in problems involving
  • electricity and magnetism
  • optics
  • modern physics.
• execute basic problem-solving strategy for problems in
  • electricity and magnetism
  • optics
  • modern physics.

Requirements for Completion

All students are required to attend and participate in all course components. Credit is granted in each course component. All course components are subject to the Academic Integrity Policy.

Learning Strategy:  The Parts of the Course

To effectively learn new material, students need a wide array of experiences. 

The Department of Physics learning strategy can be summarized as follows:

1. Think About It (pre-lectures and checkpoints)
2. Untangle It (lectures)
3. Practice (homework)
4. Explore It (labs)
5. Challenge and Check Progress (discussion)
6. Close the Loop (Exams)

All components of this course, the Course Attendance Policy.  There you will find explanations for:

• the definition of tardiness.
• missed class policies.
• excused and unexcused absences.
• submitting an excused absence request.

This course covers a large amount of new material. The concepts are often challenging and build on each other.

• Mastery of previous material is essential. Mastery often takes time, this is normal.
• Getting stuck is expected.  When you're stuck, reflect on it:
  • Are you having trouble understanding how to do something?
  • Are you having trouble understanding when to do something?
  • Are you having trouble  understanding why you do something?
• Make sure you are engaging with the course material:
  • Doing the homework
  • Attending lecture, lab, and discussion
  • Going to office hours
• Getting help is normal.  Learning takes time and requires work.  While you do have to do the work, you don't have to do it alone.

Supplemental

There will be open office hours every week to give students one-on-one assistance if they need more help. Offfice hours are a great place to get assistance:

• working through difficult topics
• figuring out homework questions
• meeting fellow students and helping each other
• addressing other concerns about the class.

Everyone is always welcome to attend.

Bonus Points and Dropped Assignments

This course has  has many assignments spread across its many components.  Our class is very large and we must be rigid in not allowing late work. 

We have two policies designed to offer some flexibility:

• Automatically dropped assignments
• Bonus points

The Course Grading page describes the details of both policies.  Please read them carefully and ask any questions you may have.

Academic Integrity

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Student Code should also be considered as a part of this syllabus. Students should pay particular attention to Article 1, Part 4: Academic Integrity. Read the Code at the following URL: http://studentcode.illinois.edu/.

Academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade. Every student is expected to review and abide by the Academic Integrity Policy. Ignorance is not an excuse for any academic dishonesty. It is your responsibility to read this policy to avoid any misunderstanding. Do not hesitate to ask the instructor(s) if you are ever in doubt about what constitutes plagiarism, cheating, or any other breach of academic integrity.

Infractions include, but are not limited to:

• cheating
• plagiarism
• fabrication
• academic interference
• computer-related infractions
• unauthorized use of university resources
• sale of class materials or notes
• facilitating infractions of academic integrity.

Violations of any of these rules will be prosecuted and reported to the student's home college.

All aspects of the course are covered by these rules, including:

• quizzes
• homework
• exams
• labs
• documentation submitted for petition for an excused absence