• quantitative skills (e.g. units, significant digits, error analysis)
• problem solving skills
• understanding of how the universe works

Labs: The lab for Physics I (PHYS 201L) is required for this class but the grade is separate.

Homework: Homework assignments will be presented in class and will generally consist of problems from the required text. The homeworks will not be graded. Instead, quizzes will cover the material and problem solving skills. Even though the homework will not be graded, the homework problems must be done in order to gain mastery of the material and skills necessary for both the quizzes and tests.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be roughly 20 minutes long, given in class, and will cover the current material. I will drop your two lowest quiz grades to allow for bad weeks and/or absences.

Tests: The class will have three tests as indicated on the syllabus. Each test will cover the material presented since the previous test (to be technical, much of what we will learn applies throughout all the chapters, however, the questions will be geared towards specifically covering material presented between the tests). I will drop the lowest test grade, so that each of your two best test scores counts 25% towards your final grade.

Final: The final will cover only the material since the last test, and will be held during the time dictated by the Registrar during Exam Week.

Cheating: You are encouraged to work on homework problems with others. However, you must work alone on quizzes and tests. On both quizzes and exams you may use only a calculator and writing utensils; I will give you an equation sheet for the exams. Calculators cannot be shared during quizzes and tests.

Other Resources: I have requested a tutor for this class. Other resources include: library books, office hours, supplemental texts (see in the Preface page ix), consult the web page: How to Study Physics. Oberlin College has some good tips on studying for physics and working problems.

Syllabus: Below is the anticipated schedule of what we'll cover. The dates of the tests are fixed; on principle I do not change them so that students can plan for them. Near the end of the semester, I generally have flexibility in what we cover. If you have a preference for what we might cover, please feel free to provide feedback.