University Physics II

Course Description

The second semester of NEIU's calculus based introductory physics sequence. College Physics provides students with both a conceptual understanding of physics and problem solving skills. Topics include Electrostatics: electric charge, Coulomb's law, electric fields, electric potentials, capacitance and capacitors. Currents, resistance, Ohm's law, electric circuits. Magnetism: magnets, magnetic fields, and magnetic forces. Electrodynamics: induction, electromagnetic radiation. wave motion. Physical and geometrical and wave optics, and an introduction to modern physics including atomic and nuclear physics. See also the department course description. 3.0 Credits.

Objectives

The knowledge base covered in PHYS-207 is an essential foundation for students seeking to major in any scientific, mathematical or engineering field. On successfully completing this course, students will gain a solid understanding of the fundamental laws of electricity and magnetism and optics. Students will develop the problem-solving skills necessary to apply fundamental principles to solve real-life examples in physics and other fields. Students will be able to strengthen their mathematical skills and gain a greater appreciation for calculus through application.

Required Textbook

Knight, Randall D., Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Benjamin Cummings, 2003.

Other Textbooks

Halliday, Resnick & Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 7th ed. Wiley, 2005.

Tipler, Paul A. & Mosca, Gene P., Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 5th ed. W.H. Freeman, 2003.

Young and Freedman, (Sears and Zemansky) University Physics, 12th ed. Benjamin Cummings, 2007.

Lectures

SEC 31, MW at 5:40 PM - 6:55 PM, in S-317. Regular class attendance is expected.

Office Hours

Posted here and by appointment in room S217D SCI.

Laboratory Sections

It is strongly recommended that PHYS-207 students enroll concurrently in PHYS-204. The Physics II Lab, PHYS-204, is run as a separate course. Please see the instructor for your lab section for further information.

Grading

The final grade will be based on the following system:
Two midterms (1/5) + (1/5) + [Homework+Quizzes] (1/5) + Final (2/5)
You final grade will be based on the total points in this system.

Any student who achieves a percentile score of above 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% is guaranteed to receive an A, B, C, or D respectively. These percentile scores may be adjusted downwards based on a class curve and other considerations.

Problem Sets

There will be about a dozen on-line homework sets assigned over the duration of the semester. These will be posted on the mastering physics, http://www.masteringphysics.com/ site. Mastering Physics is an online interactive homework system that you should have an access code for - either from your purchase of the Knight text, or as set up in Fall 2006 during your PHYS 206. If you purchased a used book, you can gain access to the mastering physics site from the link above. On average you can expect an assignment every week or so. The assignments should be completed by the deadline specified (usually 7-8 days from the day the assignment is posted online). These assignments are automatically graded. The homework will count towards 25% of your final grade.

In addition, weekly problem sets are assigned here. Problem Sets should be completed by the following week, but will not be collected. The exams will in part be based on these problem sets. You are expected to be able to work the problems without the aid of the solutions.

Exams

This course has two in class midterm exams and a two-hour final. The exams are largely based on material from lectures and problems similar to those found in the weekly assignments. Exam policies can be found on this page.

Makeup Exams

Makeups exams will not be given, except under extenuating circumstances. If you miss a test for a legitimate documented reason you should contact me within 24 hours of the missed test. A makeup session may be scheduled if and only if adequate documentations of the circumstances is provided. See also the NEIU Student Conduct Code.

Tutorials

Regular weekly hours are set up in the library for tutorials. Tutors can be found in the learning center on the fourth floor of the library. Please note, these tutorials are intended for the 100 level general education courses, but tutors may be able to help physics 207 students on a second priority basis. The current schedule for our tutors can be found here.

Academic Integrity

The NEIU policy on academic integrity can be found here.

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