PHYSICS 6A SYLLABUS SUMMER 2017

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Antonio Nassar

LECTURE: MTWRF (8:30 - 9:20) at PAB 1-425 Session A: June 26th - August 4th.

OFFICE: PAB 1-707L

OFFICE HOURS: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30-10:15. If I happen to have a large number of students during my office hours, then the office hours will be scheduled in our classroom.

EMAIL: nassar@ucla.edu

DISCUSSION SECTIONS:

TEXT: The textbook for this course is Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics (by Giancoli - 4th Ed).

TOPICS: Vectors, One- and Two-dimensional Kinematics, Newton's Laws of Motion, Circular Motion, Work and Energy, Momentum and Collisions, Rotational Motion, Static Equilibrium, Examples of mechanical biological systems.

EXAMS: Click for further info.

Midterm 1: July 7th (50-minute exam) 8:30-9:20am in PAB 1-425.

Midterm 2: July 21st (50-minute exam) 8:30-9:20am in PAB 1-425.

Final: August 4th (3-hour exam): 8-11am in FOWLER A103B.

GRADING POLICY: Each midterm is worth 15% and the final is worth 45% of the total grade. The laboratory is worth 15% and the problem sets are worth 10% of the total grade. For each problem set set, two of the problems will be graded. You are encouraged strongly to work together on problems, and to make use of tutoring programs, TA center, etc. On exams, all work is to be independent. The class average or median will be graded as a B/B-. No letter grades will be assigned to midterms.

INCOMPLETES: In accordance with University and departmental policy, the grade of "Incomplete" (I) will be assigned only if all of the following conditions are met:
a) There is a good reason beyond the student's control for not having completed the coursework on time (a heavy workload is not considered sufficient reason).
b) Early prior consent of the instructor has been obtained by the student.
c) The completed portion of the work is sufficient in quality and quantity to merit a grade of "C" or better for the period up to the time of the circumstance that justifies the Incomplete.
d) A written plan to complete the coursework must be signed by the student and the instructor and filed in the Physics Undergraduate Office. Students who cannot complete the work of the course and who do not meet these qualifications for the grade of Incomplete should seriously consider dropping the course.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: Click here for updated due dates.

LAB SCHEDULE:

WEEK OF EXPERIMENT


JUNE 26-27 (MON-TUE) NO MEETING
JUNE 28-29 (WED-THU) NO MEETING
JULY 3 (MON) NO MEETING
JULY 4 (TUE) INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY
JULY 5 - 6 (WED-THU) ORIENTATION & HEART RATE METER
JULY 10-11 (MON-TUE) NO MEETING
JULY 12-13 (WED-THU) KINEMATICS
JULY 17-18 (MON-TUE) NEWTON’S SECOND LAW
JULY 19-20 (WED-THU) CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
JULY 24-25 (MON-TUE) MOMENTUM AND IMPULSE
JULY 26-27 (WED-THU) BICEPS MUSCLE MODEL
JULY 31 - AUGUST 1 (MON-TUE) ROTATION AND GYROSCOPIC PRECESSION
AUGUST 2 - 3 (WED-THU) NO MEETING


Lead TA's

Jian Wang

Valentin Slepukhin

LAB TA's

Albert Brown

Elizabeth Mills

 

 

TIPS:

Having in mind that this course is offered mainly to Life Science Majors, I would like to briefly share some of my views on how to conduct the course and what to expect from the students.
My main objective is to try to convey the knowledge and love I have for physics to my students with good communication and enthusiasm. I will try to related class materials to the real world and make this course more than an academic requirement, that is, a very enriching experience.
A physics course can be difficult because of a lack of visualization of conceptual aspects and/or mathematical skills necessary to solve concrete problems. To enjoy and benefit from the course, students should familiarize themselves with the math that is summarized at Appendix B at the end of the textbook.
I also would like to suggest the students to study in pairs or groups, to learn how to learn to manage their time wisely, and to seek for help from the course TA's and their instructor.
Take homework assignments seriously. Doing them is the best way to learn.
Try to get prepared for every class session by reading the upcoming material in advance. This will enhance your learning greatly.
Don't miss class! My main objective during class is to summarize the important aspects of course. This facilitates your study.
Moreover, get to know your professor and give him some feedback because he cares about what you have to say! Please check out the feedback from some of my former students.
As far as the grades are concerned, I would like to assure you that they will be determined with fairness and generosity.
The content of the exams will be similar, but not identical to the material assigned as homework, discussed in lecture, or included at the end of the text chapters.