Physics 195
This is a lower division mechanics course. The textbook is “Physics for Scientists and Engineers” by Serway/Jewett (7th edition). You are welcome to use an older edition of the textbook. However, I will refer to the 7th edition in class. Some content is rearranged. I will place a copy of the 7th edition on reserve in the library so you can compare (student solution manual will be there is well). Moreover, you need webassign (electronic homework service). You can either buy this together with a new textbook in the SDSU bookstore or you can enroll online during the first 2 week in class. If you buy a new textbook, please make sure that it includes an access code to webassign. Webassign costs about $5 when bought with a new textbook and $35 when bought seperately. Finally, you need a “clicker” (for sale in bookstore).
My office hours will be on Monday from 10-12am and on Friday from 2-3 pm. The Friday office hour will be conducted in a classroom and will focus on the homework problems which will be due on Saturdays. In addition, I have tentatively planned 2 TA office hours on Fridays 10-12 am (subject on if there will be any TA support). Midterms are planned on Wednesdays (Sept 30, Nov 4, and Dec 2). Attendance at all tests is mandatory. I will have office hours on the Tuesday before each midterm from 4-5.30 pm. I am usually around for 10 min or so right after class as well to answer questions about the course material. In addition technical questions (such as resetting password on homework service, wrong grades on blackboard, etcetera) can be asked by email. Please keep these times in mind when planning your schedule for the Fall!
The syllabus and a detailed class schedule is available on Blackboard. Note that there will be no class on Oct 21, since I will attend a professional meeting (there will be instead an extra credit assignment posted on webassign). My furlough days are on Thursdays and will not affect this class.
The Math 150 prerequisite will be strictly enforced. If SDSU has no record that you passed this class (or that you received a 3 or higher on the Calculus AP test) a popup window will appear when you register: you need to bring proof that you passed Math 150 on August 31 to the first class meeting. If you prefer to do so you can scan a (unofficial) transcript showing the credit and mail it to me beforehand (abaljon@mail.sdsu.edu).
The official prereq for Physics 195 is a D- or higher in Math 150. Last year several students with a D in Math 150 enrolled in Physics 195. They also repeated Math 150 to get a C or higher. I strongly encourage you to take Phys 195 after receiving a C in Math 150. The grades students receive in Phys 195 tend to be very similar to the grades that they have received in Math 150.
It is assumed that you are familiar with physics and that you took physics in high school. This prerequisite is not enforced since it is impossible to check. I suggest that those of you without high school physics, read through the first 4 chapters of the Serway textbook. Try to solve some problems as well, so you know what to expect. The physics department offers several introductory classes which do not assume any familiarity with physics or mathematics (Phys 107 and 180a). If the 195 textbook is too difficult, please enroll in Phys 107 or 180a instead. After taking one of these classes, you will be ready for Phys 195.