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
    infon poteintial review sessions, 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 at the time the material is started to be discussed (this will allow you to get
    acquainted with the notation well ahead of the exam).
 
 

    Notes on Homework and Recitation

    The weekly assignment of homework problems can be found on your Modified Mastering Physics
    account (through eCampus); the problems are dated, especially the lecture tutorials have tight due
    dates. Cooperative work and discussions are encouraged, but every one of you should generate
    his/her individual solution set. Questions can be addressed to your course or recitation instructor,
    who will be happy to help you (preferably during office hours).
    The semester average on your online HW makes up 10% of your total course grade, which is a small
    amount given the required effort. However, mastering the HW problems is THE key to performing
    well on the exams which make up the major portion of the course grade.
    Recitation attendance is also mandatory; each week, a quiz will be given and graded, which will
    determine your recitation grade (which is usually high and help you with the total grade).
   
   

    Notes on Laboratory Experiments

    Lab attendance is mandatory as well. Labs follow the recitation session of your section each week
    in which an experiment is scheduled. You will conduct the Labs using the Webassign system, for
    which you need online access, see here.
    There is no printed lab manual for PHYS 201. Each lab has three parts: Prelab, Inlab, and Postlab.
    You do the Prelab individually and it is due 15 minutes before the start of recitation on the day
    the lab will be done. The Inlab is done during the lab period. It is done in groups of 2 or 3 and all
    results are entered into Webassign and graded immediately. The Postlab is done individually after
    the lab period is over and is due 30 minutes before the start of the next week's recitation.
    You are entitled to a make-up lab if you have to miss a regular one due to a University-allowable
    exuse. Similar to the recitation grade, lab grades are usually high and help you with your total
    grade (better than 70% to pass the course).

    Strategy

    To pass the course, you will have to keep up with the material of the course by attending
    the lectures (besides the recitation and Lab) and thoroughly work through the weekly HW
    problems (which, importantly, is the best preparation for exams and recitation quizzes).
    Otherwise, pile-up of not understood material is likely to lead to a failing grade.
    It is impossible to get a passing grade without hard work in this course.
 
 

     AGGIE Honor Code

       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, lab reports,  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 the Department of
   Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Cain Hall, Room
   B118 or call 845-1637; for more info see also  http://disability.tamu.edu/
    Department of Student Life, SSD, will review your concerns and determine,
   with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. 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 daily life encounters with physics!
      If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your course/
      recitation instructors who shall be glad to help you!