Physics 151, 251 & 251H Information Page 
 
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Brian L. Weiner

117 SWIFT BLD;   PHONE: 814-375-4740
COURSE
PHYS 151  (CLICK LINK TO SEE PREREQUISITES AND CO REQUISITES)

TECHNICAL PHYSICS II

PHYS 251 (CLICK LINK TO SEE PREREQUISITES AND CO REQUISITES) 

INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II

 (3 CREDITS for PHYS 150; 4 CREDITS for PHYS 250)
TEXT
College Physics  (seventh edition, Thomson, Brookes-Cole), by Serway and Faughn.

 

 
You are expected to check the online physics 151 / 251 page at least every other weekday. The schedule for lecture topics, quizzes and exams is dynamic and can change. You can access the class home page by opening the WWW address 
 
 
http://www.personal.psu.edu/bqw 
 
then clicking
 
Courses that I teach
 
followed by
 
Physics 151: Technical Physics 
 
or
 
Physics 251: Introduction to Physics 
 
The following items should be specifically checked
  • OFFICE HOURS: 
    •  
    Thursday  09:30 am - 11:30 am

    And by Appointment (But come by and check my office any time).

  • The purpose
    • of
    Phy 151, Phy 251 and Phy 251H 
     

    These courses give an introductory treatment of topics in mechanics and waves leading toward an understanding of technical applications (See the course schedule for details).
     

  • Homework assignments will be online using WebAssign and there will be quiz every 1.5 weeks on these assignments and topics we have discussed in class.

     

     Phy 251H 
     
  • The students will work on projects using the Interactive Physics software program and create a web page
  • Attendance at all lectures, labs and recitations is required.
  • WebAssign (on line homework) problems will be given for each unit and there will a limited time period in which to submit the answers to the problems. If you get 80% of the problems correct you will get a grade of 100%
  • Short quizzes will be given that correspond to the assignments. The quizzes will be based on assignments and lectures. Some quizzes will take the form online assignments that will be graded.
  • Makeup quizzes and tests due to absence from class must be arranged beforehand with me.
  • Late Lab Reports: 10% will be deducted from the mark for each week late, unless other arrangements have been made
    •
  • The following physics knowledge is required and assumed for the course:

    • The concepts and laws introduced in physics 150/250 e.g. Newtons laws, momentum, potential and kinetic energy, torque, static and dynamic equilibrium, Hookes law, wave motion and simple harmonic motion, etc...

  • The following mathematical knowledge is required and assumed for the course:

    • Vector addition; position, displacement and unit vectors; magnitudes of vectors. Basic algebra and trigonometry.

  • If you feel uneasy about any of these topics please inform me.
  • The grades will be determined as follows:
    • Non attendance  up to 4% deducted.
    Best 8 quiz grades 16% 
    WebAssign Homework 16%
    3 exam grades 48% 
    Labs 20% 
    The lab grade will be calculated according to: 
    Project for Phy 251 10% of Lab mark
  • Letter grades and marks correspond in the following fashion:
    • A: 93-100 A-: 90-92 B+: 87-89 B: 80-86 B-: 77-79 C+: 74-76 C: 68-73 D: 60-67 F: 0-59
  • Statement of Academic Integrity: You should also see the university statement at  http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/
     

    All students are expected to act with civility,

    personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights and property;
    and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed
    through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic
    integrity is requisite to respect for self and others and a civil community.

    Academic integrity includes a commitment to not engage in or tolerate acts

    of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty
    include cheating or copying, plagiarizing, submitting another persons' work
    as one's own, using Internet sources without citation, fabricating field
    data or citations, "ghosting" (taking or having another student take an
    exam), stealing examinations, tampering with the academic work of another
    student, facilitating other students' acts of academic dishonesty, etc

    Cheating will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating will be given an "F" on that exam and referred to the Director of Academic Affairs for further disciplinary action.

  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes unless prior arrangements have been made, failure to attend classes can result in a lower grade than test and quiz scores would warrant.
  • Makeup's: If you present a doctors certificate or equivalent make-up quizzes and tests will be given. Make up quizzes will also be given if you make arrangements prior to the quiz and have a justifiable reason.
  • Good Luck! I hope you enjoy the course. Please come and discuss any problems you have with the course. Silence achieves nothing.
    •