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Modern Physics Phys354 Fall 2014
Schedule Number 22624
COURSE INFORMATION
Class Days: MW
Class Times: 2:00-3:15
Class Location: P146
Professor: Arlette Baljon
Contact Information: [email protected]
Office Hours Days: MW
Office Hours Times 3:15-4:00 (and by appointment):
Office Hours Location: P136
Course Overview
You will study the topics that in the early 20th century revolutionized physics and society: special
relativity and quantum theory. Applications of these new thoughts to the structure of atoms and
molecules, statistical physics, lasers and semiconductors will help you understand the impact that these
theories had on the subsequent developments in research and on our daily lives. More recent
applications such as medical imaging techniques and quantum computing will be discussed as well.
Catologue: Special theory of relativity. Particle properties of electromagnetic radiation, and wave
properties of particles. Introduction to quantum theory with applications to atomic structure.
Outcomes: After successfully finishing this course, you will
1) Understand and articulate the basic principles of Quantum Mechanics, as well as the differences
between Classical and Quantum mechanics. (Assessment: midterm question DLO1)
2) Understand and articulate the basic principles of Special Relativity. (Assessment: final question
DLO1)
3) Understand how the developments in physics in the early 20th century have revolutionized
science, engineering and our everyday lives. (Assessment: paper DLO10)
4) Understand how physicist construct, refine, and reject theories. In particular those related to
atomic structure. Inquiry based activities (Assessment: in class activities participation and writeup DLO4)
5) Learn how to study physics texts independently (Assessment: Blackboard quizzes DLO9)
Enrollment Information
Prerequisites: Math 150, 151, 252, and Physics 195, 196, 197 all with a C or higher. A strong comment
of the lower division material is essential to success in the upper division physics curriculum. Hence
students that don’t have the prerequisites will be DROPPED by the instructor. Transfer students will
have to show proof of prerequisites during or before the first week of class.
Late adds: Please email and include your redid to receive an add code, no late adds after Sept 2. I will
add you to the Bb course website when I give you an add code.
Course Materials
Text: Modern Physics for Scientist and Engineers by Thornton and Rex, 4th edition. (Cengage learning)
A copy of the student solution manual is on course reserve at the library.
Clickers: You either need a handheld i>clicker2 remote or i>clickerGO access code. The i>clickerGO
which is completely web-based (laptop, iPad, phone); instructions on how to signup for iclickerGO are at
the end of this syllabus. You need to register your clicker on the Bb site BEFORE AUGUST 27 (not the
i>clicker company site). Use the i>clicker link in the Bb menu. Clicking for other students who cannot
attend class is considered cheating.
Course Structure and Conduct
Course Format: This class will be taught “flipped”. That is, most new information will be given to you in
the form of readings and/or recorded presentations. After you study the material you have to take a
quiz on Bb. The quiz will be available from 1 pm till 7 pm the Sunday or Tuesday before class.
We'll use our time together for discussion and activities that take advantage of having you all in one
place, not for lectures. Class time will be used to discuss some aspects of the material in more depth.
Clickers will be used to keep you engaged. I might also go over concepts that are still ill understood (you
will have an opportunity to suggest which ones you like me to go over during the Bb quiz). Besides you
will work with a partner on an activity using visualizations, which can be found on either http://www.standrews.ac.uk/physics/quvis or http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/new. You will be
given a list of questions; most are conceptual. The answers are due at the end of class (or start of the
next class). You can submit them as a team. Grades will be based on completion (not on right/wrong
answers). Solutions will be posted. NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED.
Homework: There are 8 HW sets collected and graded. Due-dates, HW and solutions will be posted on
Bb. NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED.
Project: You have to write a 3-5 page single spaced paper on a topic related to the material. Topics will
be posted.
A course calendar and syllabus including dates will be posted on Blackboard. As will be all other
material!
Course Assessment and Grading
Tests: A midterm in October and final in December.
Quizzes, Homework, Class participation.
The grading scale is based on 1000 points. 550 points can be earned in the tests: 225 points for the
midterm and 325 for the final. The other 450 points for online quizzes, participation (clickers), in-classactivities, homework, and project combined. That is 6 points per quiz, 3 for each day you use your clicker
in class, 4 for each activity, 20 for each homework, 75 for the project. Please note that the total number
of points that can be earned add up to more than 450, so you can miss a few classes/quizzes and/or a
HW set without being panelized. The maximum number of points earned in this category is 450 though.
That is 55% of your grade is based on the tests.
Scale: A >900, A- >870, B+>830, B >800, B- >770, C+>730, C>700, C->670,
D+>630, D>600, D->570, F below 570.
Other Course Policies
I-clickerGo signup: Steps for using i>clickerGO are to first set up an account; then register your
activation code (clickerID) on SDSU Blackboard.
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Go to www.iclickergo.com or download the app by searching “iclicker” in your Google or
Apple store
Create an account using any username and password.
Use your REDID as your Student ID !
Save/Submit
Go to Blackboard and register your clickerID using “Tools => Register your i>clicker =>
Submit”
You should see a registration date if properly registered.
You have 2 weeks to pay (instead of paying at the iclickergo website you can buy a code at
the bookstores; that will save you a couple of quarters). Price is around $9. It is suggested
that you try out in class if things work before you pay.
Disability: If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to
contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact
Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot provide
accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your
cooperation is appreciated.