PHYS 101 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Getting Started
Physics 101 has three main in-person components: lecture, discussion, and lab. For the best experience for you and your peers, please come to all parts of the class prepared and on time. Here are some things you will need to do before you come to different parts of the class:
Overview
Preparing for the first lecture
- First prelecture & checkpoint assignments
- Find your room
Preparing for the first discussion
- Bring a device
- Find your room
- Arrange access to an IOLab device
- Prelab 0 and Prelab 1
- Find your room
Contacting Prof. Ansell and other course staff
Lecture
Prelectures, Checkpoints, and smartPhysics
This class is taught in a “flipped” format, meaning that you will have short assignments that are due at 8am the morning of each lecture. You will need to log in to smartPhysics and do the first Prelecture and Checkpoint before you go to the first lecture. Note that your homework assignments for this class are also contained in this smartPhysics course.
Coming to class
- Lecture will be held in 151 Loomis.
- You will answer poll questions during class for participation credit and extra credit. Starting in Lecture 2, please bring your iclicker or a device with an iclicker cloud subscription to submit your answers.
- Prior to attending Lecture 2, follow these instructions to set up your account at iclicker.com. Note that you must register whether you are using a physical iclicker or the app; If you are using the physical iclicker you do not need to pay for a subscription.
Discussion
In discussion you will work with a small group to answer a packet of questions, and will get a chance to test your understanding with a weekly quiz.
- Find your classroom location using the Section Information link.
- You will need to bring a device (a tablet or laptop) to work on problem sets and answer quiz questions.
Laboratory
You will do a hands-on Pre-Lab activity using your IOLab device before every lab, guided by a lab course in smartPhysics. In your weekly lab section you will work in groups to design and understand experiments and experimental data, also using your IOLab device. Note that in the first week of the semester you will have a prelab assignment in smartPhysics that does not have a lab associated with it.
Getting an IOLab device
You will need to purchase, rent, or arrange to share an IOLab device so that it is available by the time your class meets for Lab 1. Ordering details can be found on the required materials list.
Coming to class:
- All lab sections are held on the 4th floor of the Campus Instructional Facility
- You will need to bring a laptop or tablet to assist with data collection and collaborate on your group's lab reports.
Disability-related accommodations
If you have a DRES letter for disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids, we highly recommend that you take advantage of these accommodations. To do so, you must contact the following people via email with a copy of your letter and a summary of the accommodations you need:
- The course director
- The Physics department undergraduate courses office (undergrad@physics.illinois.edu)
- [If your accommodations are related to test duration] the CBTF (link)
- [If your accommodations are related to test duration] the discussion coordinator
If you are concerned you have a disability-related condition that is impacting your academic progress, you can talk with someone at the Counseling Center, McKinley Mental Health, or DRES about how to see a provider in order to obtain a diagnosis or get your questions answered. To contact DRES, you may visit 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign, call 333-1970, e-mail disability@illinois.edu or go to the DRES website.
Religious Observances
We offer excused absences to students in cases that their religious observances impact attendance in Physics 101 (e.g., for students who observe Eid). Please plan ahead by filling out a Religious Observance Absence Letter Request to obtain a letter from the Office of the Dean of Students. It is recommended that you fill out this form as early in the semester as possible. This letter can be used in our excused absence form to request EX grades.
Who to contact and how
For questions related to overall course content and administration or the lecture, Prof. Ansell can be contacted via email.
For questions related to the discussion, please reach out to your discussion TA, whose information can be found in the my.physics gradebook.
For questions related to the quiz or a larger-scale issue with discussion, please reach out to the discussion coordinator.
For questions related to the labs, please reach out to your lab TA or the lab coordinator.