Physics 107: Ideas of Modern Physics

Course Information Printable Version

Professor: Franz Himpsel
fhimpsel@wisc.edu
Home page

5108 Chamberlin Hall
263-5590

Office Hours:
After Class

TA: Karen Andeen
kgandeen@wisc.edu

4108 Chamberlin Hall
890-0919

Office Hours:
10:00-10:50 and
2:25-3:15 Tuesday

Required Materials:

Physics: Concepts and Connections,
4th ed. Art Hobson, Prentice Hall.
This is the course text. The bookstore has used copies from last semester, probably also the Underground. The text is available new or used from Amazon. This is the same text as used last semester. It's an interesting, very readable book.

Book Cover

Lectures: 2:25-3:15 MWF in 2241 Chamberlin Hall.

Homework: Wednesday to Wednesday

Exams: Three exams, including the final exam. Lowest exam score will be dropped.
Hour Exam #1: Fri. Oct. 5 , 2:25 pm
Hour Exam #2: Mon. Nov. 12, 2:25 pm
Hour Exam #3: Wed. Dec. 19, 12:25 pm (2103 Chamberlin)

Essay / Presentation:
An essay or a presentation on a topic of choice related to the course, as described here.
Essay topic and abstract are due in class Mon. Oct. 15. Complete the following sheet and bring it
to the discussion section. The final essay is due in class Mon. Nov 5.
An alternative to the essay is a 10 min presentation in a discussion section (first come first serve).

Discussion Sections:
Discussion sections are once per week on Mon./Tue., starting the week of Sep. 10.
A link to the schedule can be found here. Download the syllabus for the discussion sections.
The discussions cover lecture topics, homework, exam preparation, and the 10 min presentations.

Grading:
Best two of three exams contribute 40%
Discussion sections contribute 20%
Homework contributes 20%
Essay contributes 20%