Prerequisites: Ph 211 requires completion of MTH251 and concurrent enrollment in MTH252

Texts Serway & Beichner, Physics for Scientists & Engineers, 5th Ed. (Sauders, 2000): Required.
             Physics 211 Lab manual: Required.
             Physics 211/212/213/314 Lab guide.
             Core Concepts in Physics CD-ROM & Workbook, Archipelago Productions (optional)

Office Hours The office hours for the teaching assistants are held in Weniger 145 (times posted there and in the Physics Department office, Wngr 301). Note, you may obtain help from any of the teaching assistants, not just the ones you see in lab or recitation. I recommend this resource over a personal tutor.

Web Site: You should become familiar with  http://www.physics.orst.edu/ph211. There you will find the course outline, this information sheet, problem and exam solutions, and other information. Access to the web is available at a number of student computing facilities on campus. If you need help getting started, there is a computer consulting desk in the Valley Library.
OSU Disclaimer

Problem Assignments:  The importance of working many problems cannot be overemphasized; there is no better way to gain an understanding of physics.  Work through as many of the examples, questions, and problems in each chapter as you can. The assigned problems and questions are given on the Schedule. Most problems are worked out for you on the solutions page. After the problems are due, all solutions become available automatically on the homework page (see below).

Web Registration for Homework Even though you may have already registered for Physics 211 with the OSU registrar, you also need to register for the homework service (a courtesy of the University of Texas and their oil monies). To do this, use "click here" link below. A form will appear in your browser. Fill in all the requested information, including the course Access Password and the unique course number (5 digits) which was given in class. Please enter your student ID carefully (case-sensitive with no dashes) so that you get credit for doing the homework. Do write down and remember your Login name and Personal Password. You will need these to access your homework. After you complete the form, click OK. The registration data will then be entered in the Ph 211 electronic class list, and you will be do your homework. To access the homework now, click here or click the Homework button on the class home page.

Printing Homework Problems & Solutions   Homework problems and solutions are posted in Acrobat (.pdf) and  Postscript (.ps) formats. Information on both formats is available at the homework web site under auxiliary information. You can obtain Acrobat Reader free for most computer platforms by clicking on the "Get Acrobat" icon above. You can then read  and print Acrobat files.

Laboratory (Wngr.200): As indicated on the Schedule,  new lab experiments begin on Thursday, even for the first week. The appropriate few pages in the lab manual should be read before attending the lab. Lab reports are due at the end of the lab period. Lab attendance and satisfactory performance are course requirements. If you do not satisfactorily complete all the labs, your grade for the entire course will be multiplied by the fraction of labs that you do complete (e.g., 6/7). If you know in advance that you must miss a lab, please arrange with your TA to attend another section during the week. You may makeup a maximum of two experiments during the last week of term. Lab credit from previous courses cannot be used without obtaining the Professor's written approval  (to be posted on the Web) during the first week of class.

Course Grades are based upon the distribution of scores in the class. The average grade is generally a C, with a B indicating superior performance and an A excellence. The score will be the higher of  

Lecture attendance is necessary (but they are usually fun). Whether you attend or not, you are responsible for all material covered in the lectures as well as knowledge of all instructions given in the lectures. Asking questions and participating in lecture is welcomed and encouraged. Rude behavior such as private conversations, reading newspapers, or interrupting to leave early degrades the education of other students and is not acceptable. The 7:30 PM Wednesday time slot is for midterm exams, special lectures, and extra reviews to be announced. There may well be short quizzes given at random times during random lectures.

Assignments & Web Submission The importance of working on your own and fully understanding many problems and questions cannot be overemphasized; this is the best way to understand physics. The assigned problems and questions will give you a minimum problem-solving experience. Solutions to most of the assigned problems are posted on the Web, with the solutions to the graded problems available after their due date.

Midterm and Final Examinations are closed book and comprehensive. They will be similar to the homework problems, questions, lab experiments, and class examples. You will be given hard-to-learn formulas or data on the exam (the formulas will be posted early). You cannot bring in your own formula or review sheet into the exam. Nonprogrammed calculators are encouraged. Laptop or palmtop computers are not allowed.

To take an examination, the Physics Department requires that you sign your exam and have it checked against your student ID. Before each exam, you will be asked to leave all books and packs in the front of the room. Please arrive early, take alternate seats, and bring your ID. There are no make-up or early exams. If you have an official conflict (other exam, a preplanned academic University activity, death in the immediate family, or serious personal illness) contact the professor before the exam along with some verifiable proof. Unexcused absence from an exam results in a zero grade.

If you have questions about why your answer on a returned exam is marked wrong, check the posted solutions carefully and, if needed, ask one of the instructors for an explanation. Do not make any alterations or additions to the exam paper itself. If you believe a significant error was made in your exam grading, attach a written explanation of the error to your exam (as well as your readable name and ID #) and submit both to the professor no latter than one week after the exam has been returned. Be warned: the entire question will be regraded by the professor, and the new grade recorded if the score has increased or decreased by more than 3 points. Erased and rewritten answers cannot be regraded; consider taking the exam in ink or crossing out errors rather than erasing them.   Errors of any amount in the addition of points will be corrected without regrading. Changing an exam and submitting it as misgraded is academic dishonesty and will lead to an immediate grade of F in the course and the filing of a Report of Academic Dishonesty as part of your University record.

Academic Integrity All students are expected to uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity in their academic work. There is zero tolerance for academic dishonesty. Section I.D.1 of the Student Conduct Regulations lists some examples of violations of standards of academic honesty. Any incident of academic dishonesty will result in an immediate grade of F in the course and the filing of a Report of Academic Dishonesty as part of your University record. There are no exceptions or second chances.

Recitations You are encouraged to enroll in the recitation section Ph 221 offered concurrently with Ph 211.The recitation carries one credit and consists of weekly problem sessions with an experienced TA. This is a good place to ask questions about unclear topics or for help with the homework or labs. Recitation sections are graded P/N with the grade determined by attendance, participation, and short quizzes.

Students with documented Disabilities: who need special accommodations in the lecture, lab, or examinations should make an appointment with the instructor during the first week of classes to discuss those accommodations.

Troubles If you have difficulties requiring personal attention, feel free to call on any of your instructors. If you don't find Prof. Landau in his office, call  737-1693, leave a note in the Physics office (Wngr. 301), or call 737-4631 and leave a message. If you want to talk about some aspect of the course (exam questions, pace, teaching assistant, late return of labs, etc.), or feel you are having troubles which you cannot discuss with the teaching assistants, please come to see the Professor Landau. Remember, it is always a good idea to come in and talk to instructors, they are there to help you.

Books on Reserve

Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday, Resnick, Walker, a traditional text.

The Character of Physical Law, Feynman, a qualitative and very original view towards elementary physics

The Feynman Lectures On Physics, Feynman, A very original first course in physics

A Universe of Physics; A Book Of Readings, Marion, Source material of historical interest 

Physics and the Physical Universe, Marion, A nice, noncalculus text

The Flying Circus of Physics, Walker, physics is fun book

University Physics, Young, Sears, alternate text

Physics, Tipler, alternate text

College Physics, Physical Science Study Committee, alternate text