HONORS PHYSICS I

- WELCOME! -

This is the web-page for HONS 157, Honors Physics 1 (section 1, fall 2015) and HONS 157L (Honors Physics 1 Lab). Materials on this webpage are meant to supplement information given to you in class itself. I'm not a big fan of OAKS, therefore any on-line supplementary material for the course you need can be found here. To the left, you'll find important links/syllabi/etc.

If you'd like to find out more about me or the research we do in my lab, check out my main webpage.

- About This Course -

This course is the honors version of Calculus-based General Physics I. In general, we will be discussing the same overall topics from first semester introductory Physics (which mostly falls into the realm of what Physicists call "mechanics"), but with extra content added to make the course more relevant to students in the honors college. We have a different textbook, will be running our labs a little bit differently, and hopefully developing some specialized approaches to problem solving and critical thinking. The department is in the process of trying to evolve this course to make it more relevant for students in the honors program. As such, we will be making additional efforts to include a broader interdisciplinary and historical perspective on the content.

- Step by Step Guide in How to Succeed in HONS 157 -

Like all classes, what you ultimately will get out of taking this class is directly related to how much effort you put into the course. This material is challenging -- especially for a 100 level course -- but it CAN be done, if you put in the necessary effort.

Attend class daily, pay attention, and be an active participant. (Take notes, ask questions, etc.)
Complete all homework (including reading the text!).
When confused or lost, seek help right away! (Via office hours -- normally scheduled or by appointment, sessions at the tutoring center, attending and participating at the regularly scheduled problem solving sessions, or through help from private tutors. There are many resources available for extra help if you need it, but you can't wait until the end of the semester to turn things around!)
When preparing for tests, rework problems you've seen before -- the ones done in class, during problem solving sessions, or non-assigned odd-numbered questions in the text (that have answers in the back of the book). Get help on any questions you do not understand.
Don't wait until the last minute to start your homework! Sometimes you'll struggle for a while with a problem, and need to come back to it several times to develop a plan of attack. You can't do that if you're starting it 6 hours before it is due.

- Homework Assignments -

Assignment 1(PDF) (due date: 8/28/15)

Assignment 2(PDF) (due date: 9/4/15)

Assignment 3(PDF) (due date: 9/11/15)

Assignment 4(PDF) (due date: 9/18/15)

Assignment 5(PDF) (due date: 9/25/15)

Assignment 6(PDF) (NEW due date: 10/16/15)

Assignment 7(PDF) (due date: 10/16/15)

Assignment 8(PDF) (due date: 10/23/15)

Assignment 9(PDF) (due date: 10/30/15)

Assignment 10(PDF) (due date: 11/13/15)

Assignment 11(PDF) (due date: 11/20/15)

Assignment 12(PDF) (due date: 12/4/15)

- Test Information -

We plan to have 3 in-class midterms as well as a final exam. To give you as much time as possible to complete these exams, we will hold them during the lab session on Tuesday afternoon/evenings. (The exams will be written to be completed in about 1.5 hours, but you will be allowed the entire 3 hours of lab time to work on them). The tentative dates for the in-class midterms are:
Tuesday, September 29th, 2015
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015
Tuesday, December 1st, 2015

The final exam is scheduled for Friday, December 11th, from 12-3 PM

updated: 19 November 2015