Physics 222 - Modern Physics for Engineers

(Texas A&M University, Spring 2019)



Homepage for Sections 201 + 501



   Announcements (updated regularly)



   Lectures

    Tue+Thu 02:20-03:35pm
    Room: MPHY 205
    1st class: Tue Jan 15, last class: Thu Apr 25;



  Course Instructor

     Dr. Ralf Rapp
    Office        : Cyclotron CYCL-329
    Office-Hrs : Mon+Tue+Fri 10-11am, or by appointment
    Phone       : 845-1411 (ext. 226)
    E-mail       : rapp@comp.tamu.edu
 

   Teaching Assistant

    The TA listed below is mostly responsible for grading parts of the exams, and answering
    pertinent questions. Appointments with Eshtar should be scheduled via email.

      Sects. 201 and 501
      Eshtar Aluauee
      E-mail: eshtar@tamu.edu
      Office: MPHY-470



    Required Material

     1.)  PRE-REQUISITE:
       PHYS-218 (Electricity and Magnetism) and enrollment in MATH-308 (Differential Equations)

     2.)  TEXTBOOK:
       The course will be based on the book
      Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 4th edition, by S.T.~Thronton and A.~Rex.
        In particular, the HW problems will be assigned from this book via webassign;
        click here for instruction on how to get webassign access (the cheapest option is the
        standalone HW access for $39.95).
        The course ID is TAMU 3244 8507 for Section-501 and TAMU 2388 9812 for Section-201.


     Scope and Learning Outcomes

    The course will provide an introduction to basic phenomena, ideas, concepts and theoretical
    tools of Modern Physics, including: Special relativity and relativistic kinematics; quantization
    of electromagnetic radiation; quantum models of the atom; matter waves, uncertainty principle
    and particle-wave duality; quantum mechanics in one dimension and wave functions.
    Upon the completion of this course, the student will understand basic physical laws governing
    the microscopic world, be able to apply them to pertinent physical situations and problems,
    quantitatively solve them using algebraic and calculus methods, and interpret the results.
    The course will also hone critical thinking, systematic problem-solving skills and science
    communication skills.

   

    Course Grade

    The total course grade is decomposed as follows:

  • Final Exam (comprehensive): 30%

  • 3 Midterm Exams:   20% each

  • Homework :   10%

    If the final-exam grade is better than the worst (non-zero) midterm exam grade, the average of
    the former and the latter will replace the latter.
    The conversion of the total numerical grade to letter grade will follow the standard key of:
    A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69% and F: <60%.
    A downward re-adjustment of grade boundaries may occur, but should not be expected.
    The exams for the students of Sec. 201 will include modified problems of increased difficulty.
    The academic student rules can be found here, specifically rule 7 for excused university absences.
    In case of a missed exam, the student must contact the course instructor as soon as possible. A
    make-up exam can only be granted if the student presents a valid university excuse in due time.

    
 

   Exams

    The exams are closed book; the exams are held during the standard class hours (3 midterms) and
    the official final-exam date, as indicated below. You should only bring a pen and pocket calculator
    capable of evaluating trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan) and logarithms/exponentials.

       SCHEDULE :
    Midterm 1: Tue Feb 05 in class, material covered: Chaps. 1+2
    Midterm 2: Thu Mar 07 in class, material covered: Chaps. 3+4
    Midterm 3: Thu Apr 18 in class, material covered: Chaps. 5+6
    FINAL:     Tue May 07 (1:00-3:00pm), material covered: comprehensive (Chaps. 1-6, 13)

 
 

    Notes on Lectures

    Attendance in the lectures, as well as taking notes of the material presented, is mandatory.
    Furthermore, you are responsible for all announcements made in class (including information
    on exam coverage, etc.). The material discussed in the lectures, together with the homework
    problems, essentially defines the scope of the exams. Formula sheets to be used in the exams
    are handed out in the lectures prior to the exams (this will allow you to get acquainted with
    notation ahead of the exams).
 
 

    Notes on Homework (HW)

    Homework is strictly online (webassign) and assigned on an approximately weekly basis,
    following the progress and and based on the material covered in the lectures. The HW is
    usually due by the end of the week. Collaborative work and discussions with fellow students
    are encouraged, but every student must be fully aware and capable of solving each problem
    themselves. The HW problems constitute an integral part of the exam problems. Questions
    on help with the HW can be addressed to your course instructor or teaching assistant, who
    will both be happy to help (preferably during office hours).

 
 

    Strategy

    To pass the course, you will have to keep up with the material of the course by regularly
    attending the lectures and thoroughly working through the weekly HW problems (which,
    in turn, provides optimal preparation for exams). Otherwise, pile-up of not understood
    material is likely to lead to a failing grade.


    AGGIE Honor Code and Academic Integrity

    An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.
    Also see http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/
    Any type of cheating (copying homework or during exams, etc.) is strictly prohibited
    and seriously penalized.
 
 

    ADA Statement

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination
   statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with
   disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students
   with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for
   reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a
   disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services ,
   currently located in the Disability Services building at the Student Services
    at White Creek complex on west campus or call 979-845-1637.
   All information and documentation concerning disability is kept confidential.
 


 

      Despite all the above regulations and rules (which are needed for a fair assessment
      of your grades), we hope that you will enjoy this course, and that you will achieve
      knowledge that will be both helpful in your further career and provide deeper insights
     into daithe fundamental workings of physical processes!
      If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your course/
      recitation instructors who shall be glad to help you!