PHY-2054C College Physics II (Studio)Spring 2011 MWF (10:30 to AM-12:20 PM)Section 0002Dr. J. B. Bindell ([email protected]) Office Hours: MWF 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Class Website: www.physics.ucf.edu/~bindellCLASSROOM-I, Room 218SYLLABUSWelcome to the latest UCF offering of College Physics II offered in Studio Mode. Studioteaching is a method of teaching that is quite different from what you probably experienced inPHY2053 at UCF. The following photo is taken from the first delivery of this course inSTUDIO mode during the Spring 2010 semester. It shows Dr. Bindell running a class thatconsists of a number of students sitting around a table, working in teams and talking incessantly.Actually, they are in the process of learning physics in a cooperative manner.Traditional physics courses at UCF consist of a one hour lecture (3 times a week) and a threehour laboratory session. Students tend to “zone out” after about 10 minutes in a lecture and thelaboratory is often out of sync with the lectures (often being ahead). Studio physics tries to correct these problems. In the current version of this course, students willsit at “T” shaped tables, with each side of the T accommodating three students. Each group ofthree students will form a team, working together on every aspect of the course whileoccasionally working with the team that shares the other side of the “T” as well. Learning is viaexploration and problem solving. Each group will also have a computer terminal that they canutilize. Personal laptops are permitted as long as they don’t get in anyone’s way and are used ontask only. Each class session will consist of one or more of the following elements:1 | P a g e S T U D I O P H Y S I C S- Sets of relatively simple experiments that illustrate physical principles and lead toconcept building.- Problems to be solved in a group manner that build on these concepts. These problemsmay be similar to homework problems or more difficult. It has been shown that teams ofstudents are actually capable of solving more difficult problems because of the combinedintellect of the group members. (This is called “peer instruction”.) Students often learnmore from their peers than they do from their instructors.- Clicker Questions designed to probe your understanding of the material. Sometimesthese will be group questions and sometimes individual questions. After answering thesequestions you will see how others in the class have answered. And the instructor getsinstant feedback about whether the activity is getting across to the students.- There will be no long lectures. Some topics require some “mini-lecturing” but this willbe kept to a minimum. These will often be un-prepared, off the cuff presentations, asneeded.- Once a week there will be a 10-15 minute quiz on the material. These will usually be onFridays and will always be announced in advance. There will also be 3 scheduledexaminations.- Although the concepts will be developed during class time, additional learning takesplace through reading assignments in the textbook and by the assignment of homeworkproblems on a roughly weekly basis. Homeworks will use the WebAssign system. Somequizzes may utilize WebAssign as well.- Students will be encouraged to report their solutions to problems or their experimentalconclusions to the rest of the class using the whiteboards on the walls. These exercises intechnical public speaking will help you in your future careers but it really doesn’t matterif you “screw up”. What is important is that you do your best. Nobody will be forced toparticipate.- Pre-class reading assignments in the textbook will be used as introductions to new topics.THE CLASS WEBSITESThere are two places where students can find information that may appear after class is over. Thefirst is the class website (www.physics.ucf.edu/~bindell) where schedules, class mini-lectures orother materials will appear. Up to date information can also be obtained on the WebAssign(below) site. It is worthwhile to check these between classes for any changes in class needs orrequirements. Class messages may also be sent via the MyUCF website using your Knights.comaddress. Be sure that the address it is correct.2 | P a g e S T U D I O P H Y S I C SCOURSE INFORMATIONDESCRIPTION PHY2054 is a continuation of PHY2053 which is a course prerequisite. The class coversElectricity & Magnetism, and Optics. Emphasis is placed on understanding major principles,and mathematics is used to clarify concepts. Students should have a good working knowledge ofalgebra and trigonometry.TEXTBOOKCollege Physics (8th Edition) by Cutnell & Johnson, John Wiley & Sons, (2009) - (Vol. II). Thebookstore may offer a “bundle” that includes WebAssign and possibly the i-clicker.LAB MANUALThe Lab Manual can be purchased at Grays College Bookstore: 4250 Alafaya Trail, Suite 240.Oviedo, FL, 32765. Tel: (407) 366-2241 Physics has a reputation of being a very difficult course. Its difficulty actually depends on howmuch effort is put into learning it. As we go through the textbook, you will find that each chapterusually depends on the previous chapters; the course is cumulative. If youkeep up to date, starting immediately, you will find that the material is mucheasier than if you wait a few weeks before getting down to business. It is verydifficult to learn this material in “catch-up mode”.CLICKERSThis class, along with most others, will use clicker technology, so you willhave to purchase an “i-clicker” module from the bookstore or from a studentwho is finished using it. Information about how toregister your new i-clicker can be found at:http://www.iclicker.com/dl/registrationoptions.pdf Besure to register your clicker as soon as possible. The registration numberfor your i-clicker will be found on the back. If you can’t read the clickernumber on the back of the device you will need to speak to your instructorwho can determine what it is. This number tends to rub-off so put a pieceof transparent tape