PHY360 (Fall 2018) Syllabus
Syracuse University - Department of Physics

Physics 360

Vibrations, Waves and Optics

Fall 2018

Course Objective:
PHY360 is a course designed to deeply explore the phenomena associated with mechanical and electromagnetic oscillations and waves. While basic physical concepts (i.e. force, energy, and Maxwell's equations) are not new to students in this course, the language and tools we will develop throughout the course form a foundation upon which future explorations of physics and engineering are built.
Text:
A.P.~French, "Vibrations and Waves", W. W. Norton & Company (January 17, 1971).
Instructor:
Prof. Tomasz Skwarnicki
Office: Physics Building, Rm. 317 (stop by or make an appointment)
Phone: 443-5979
E-mail: tskwarni@syr.edu
Office hours: Tuesday 11-12pm or by appointment. You may also try to drop by.
Teaching Assistant:
TA: Mahesh Gandikota
Office: Physics Building, Rm. 241
E-mail: mgandiko@syr.edu
Physics Clinic hours: Tue and Fri 5-6pm.
Undergraduate Physics Office:
Contact Undergraduate Physics Office for any issues related to the class registration.
Secretary: Melissa Wike
Office: Physics Building, Rm. 201
Phone: 443-3901
E-mail: mawike@syr.edu
Prerequisite:
PHY212 or PHY216 is a prerequisite for this course.
Lecture:
Twice a week: Tuesday, Thursday 2:00 -3:20pm, Rm 104N, Physics Building.
See the course calendar for material coverged in the past classes. You are required to attend the lectures.
Homework:
Homework assignments are a very important component of this course. The assigned problems will be posted on the class calendar following each lecture. Assignments related to both Tuesday and Thursday lectures are due following Tuesday at the beginning of the class. If you are going to miss the class deposit them in my mailbox in Rm.201 before the class. Late homework will not be accepted, except for extenuating circumstances and prior approval from the instructor. You are strongly encouraged to work on homework assignments all by yourself. Only if you can't solve the problem, seek help from fellow students, Teaching Assistent or the instructor.
Quizzes:
There will be a 15min written quiz given during most of Tuesday lectures based on the most recently covered material (since the last quiz or exam). See the lecture schedule for dates of the quizzes. No make-up quizzes will be given (see Absence Policy ). The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped (this includes missed quizzes, if any). Quizzes will be graded and returned to you.
Exams:
Three exams will be given. Exam-I will be on Sep.18 (Tuesday) at regular class time. Exam-II will be on Oct.23 (Tuesday) at regular class time. The Final Exam will be during the regular class time on Dec. 6 (Thursday) 2:00pm-3:20pm (Rm. 104N). See also the course calendar.
The exams are closed book, however, you are free to bring a single double-sided sheet of handwritten notes (no photocopies). The lower midterm exam grade will be dropped (including a missed exam if any). No make-up exams will be offered (see Absence Policy ). Exams will be graded and returned to you.
Grading:
The final course grade will be determined as follows:
Homework assignments:       30%
Quizzes                     20% 
Midterm Exams:              25%
Final Exam                  20%
Attendance:                  5%

The following grading scale will be used:

    
   Your score (%)  Letter grade

   93-               A
   90-93             A-
   87-90             B+
   83-87             B
   80-83             B-
   75-80             C+
   70-75             C
   60-70             C-
   50-60             D
    0-50             F

Absence Policy:
Late homework will not be accepted, and missed quizzes and exams cannot be made up even if missed for legitimate reasons (except for those covered by SU Religious Observances Policy ) Since we drop two lowest homework and quiz scores and one midterm exam score, medical and family emergencies should not affect your grade. The final exam cannot be missed.
Honesty:
While you are encouraged to seek help on the homework assignments if you can't solve them on your own, it is a violation of the academic code to seek or give assistance during the exams. During the tests you can only communicate with the person proctoring the exam. The general Syracuse University guidelines will be followed in case of violations. Here are relevant excerpts from the University wide policy on Academic Integrity:

Syracuse University's Academic Integrity Policy reflects the high value that we, as a university community, place on honesty in academic work. The policy defines our expectations for academic honesty and holds students accountable for the integrity of all work they submit. Students should understand that it is their responsibility to learn about course-specific expectations, as well as about university-wide academic integrity expectations. The policy governs appropriate citation and use of sources, the integrity of work submitted in exams and assignments, and the veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and other verification of participation in class activities. The policy also prohibits students from submitting the same work in more than one class without receiving written authorization in advance from both instructors. Under the policy, students found in violation are subject to grade sanctions determined by the course instructor and non-grade sanctions determined by the School or College where the course is offered as described in the Violation and Sanction Classification Rubric. SU students are required to read an online summary of the University's academic integrity expectations and provide an electronic signature agreeing to abide by them twice a year during pre-term check-in on MySlice. For more information about the policy, see http://academicintegrity.syr.edu

Other SU Policies:
Students should review the University policies regarding: Diversity and Disability ; the Religious Observances Notification and Policy ; and Orange SUccess .