Syllabus

Personnel

Course Coordinator:	Tibor F Nagy
Teaching Assistant:	Mara Mikelah Grinder

Instructor Information

Dr. Tibor Nagy
Office: BPS 1253, Phone: (517) 884-5508.
Email: nagy_t@pa.msu.edu or nagytibo@msu.edu.
Web: http://www.pa.msu.edu/~nagy_t/
Office hour and problem solving session:
Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00 PM, FAE 106.
(FAE stands for Farrall Agricultural Engineering.)

Teaching Assistant: Mara Grinder (grinderm@msu.edu).

Course Description

PHY 233B: bridging course from the algebra based PHY 231 (or equivalent) class to the calculus based PHY 183 class. Topics include: kinematics, Newtonian dynamics, work, energy, power, conservation of energy, momentum, system of particles, circular motion, rotational motion, static equilibrium, gravity, solids and fluids, harmonic oscillations, waves and sound.

Prerequisites

(PHY 231 or PHY 231C) and MTH 132.

Helproom Hours

Teaching Assistant: Mara Grinder (grinderm@msu.edu).
Physics help room: BPS 1248.
Wednesday: noon - 1:30 PM.
Thursday: 9:00 AM - noon, 4:00-5:30 PM.

Exam Information

Exam #1: October 04, Tuesday, 5:20-6:20 PM, FAE 116.
Exam #2: November 01, Tuesday, 5:20-6:20 PM, FAE 116.
Exam #3: November 29, Tuesday, 5:20-6:20 PM, FAE 116.
Final Exam: This class does NOT have a final exam.

Maximum score on each midterm exam: 50 points. A one-sided, hand-written, 8.5 by 11 inch US letter sized help sheet is allowed on each midterm plus the help sheet(s) from the previous midterm(s). The midterm exams will have corrections as a homework: 30% of the positive difference between the correction and the exam will be added to your exam score as bonus. The corrections are optional. The corrections can only raise your scores, they CANNOT lower your score.

For the exams you will need a scientific calculator with fresh batteries, sharp pencils and an eraser. Graphing calculators are allowed, but not required.

Deadlines

Students with Disabilities: MSU is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Requests for accommodations by persons with disabilities may be made by contacting the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at 517-884-RCPD or on the web at rcpd.msu.edu. Once your eligibility for an accommodation has been determined, you will be issued a verified individual services accommodation (VISA) form. Please present this form to your instructor at the start of the term no later than the end of the first week of class. Requests received after this date may not be honored.

Grading Information

Percent weights: Homework: 25%, Three Midterm Exams: 3 x 25% = 75%. (There is no final exam in this class.)
Homework: Every homework question is worth 1 point. Midterm exams: Maximum score on each midterm: 50 points.

Grading scale:
4.0 >= 94%,
3.5 >= 86%,
3.0 >= 78%,
2.5 >= 70%,
2.0 >= 62%,
1.5 >= 54%,
1.0 >= 46%,
0.0 < 46%.

This grading scale might be lowered, but it will not be raised.

The Spartan Code of Honor: As a Spartan, I will strive to uphold values of the highest ethical standard. I will practice honesty in my work, foster honesty in my peers, and take pride in knowing that honor is worth more than grades. I will carry these values beyond my time as a student at Michigan State University, continuing the endeavor to build personal integrity in all that I do.

Textbook

Wolfgang Bauer, Gary D. Westfall: University Physics with Modern Physics, Volume 1, McGraw-Hill. (Either the 2nd or the 1st edition will be fine. 2nd edition: ISBN 10: 0-0774-0963-9 ISBN 13: 978-0077409630, 1st edition: ISBN 10: 0-0773-5483-4 ISBN 13: 978-0077354831.)

We will use LON-CAPA, MSU's own free and flexible web-based course management system.