New for Spring 2009 at
31658 Physics
5-ON1: Modern Physics ONLINE!
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How does relativity work anyway?
Is it true that the faster I travel, the younger I am? Why does ignoring relativity mean my GPS
system would NOT work?!? Is light a wave, or a particle?
Is an electron a particle or a wave?
Why is the Scanning Tunneling Microscope “one of the most indispensible tools in modern technology?” What’s a MOSFET? A SQUID? What
is the LHC? Will investigating the
existence of the Higgs Boson really create a Black Hole? For the first time, What are the pre-requisites for the class? You must have passed Physics 4B with a grade of “C” or
better; you must have completed Math 2.
You may take Physics 5 along with Physics 4C. If you will be Physics 4B in Spring 2009,
and want to take Physics 5, consent of the instructor is required. What requirements does the course satisfy
for graduation and transfer? Physics 5 satisfies requirements in for both AA and AS
degrees from How will the course work? The course will be facilitated with Blackboard, using the asynchronous discussion forums as a primary
means of communicating. I’ll post
short lecture summaries, and website links for you to read online, and
discussion questions for you to consider and share ideas on. We’ll hopefully have lots of
discussion. Each week there will be a
homework problem set, similar in length to those in Physics 4, that includes both computational problems and
conceptual discussion questions. There
will also be opportunities to explore applications of modern physics to
engineering and technology with every assignment. Do I have to come on campus? No. There are no
required meetings for the class. This
is a lecture/discussion class, without a lab. Must I be online at any particular time? No. While you may
schedule synchronous chat or whiteboard sessions with friends – and me! – you are not required to be online at any particular day or
time. You need to submit homework and
participate online by posting to the discussion boards weekly. How will I do homework? We’ll use Mastering
Physics as a homework vehicle to supplement Blackboard, with some
wonderful online tutorials (with hints).
The assignments will be available online 24x7, and you can submit your
answers to numerical and computational problems for a grade, and immediately
obtain correct answers. Answers to
conceptual questions and some discussion questions can be submitted by email
within Blackboard. How will exams work? Two exams will be given – a midterm and a final. Both will
include a combination of numerical problems and conceptual questions. Exams will be available for approximately
one week during an open “window” where you can choose to take them anytime
during the window. Exams will
obviously be open book tests. What if I need or want help? I will be on-campus in Spring 2009 every day of the week,
and available by email every day. If
you are already attending Chabot, we should be able to find some time to talk
in person. If you live far from Chabot
but need help, we can arrange phone conversation time. What books and other materials are needed? Well use “Modern
Physics” (2nd Ed.) by Randy Harris, of UC Davis. ISBN: 08053-0308-1 as our textbook. We’ll also use the Mastering Physics system
supporting Knight’s “Physics for
Scientists and Engineers” 2nd Edition, which is in use now for
Physics 4B and 4C. You can purchase
the Mastering Physics access code online from http://www.masteringphysics.com
or bundled with the Harris book in our I have more questions! Please email me anytime – shildreth@chabotcollege.edu –
or stop by my office (2013) and leave a note. I’ve taught online courses for 13 years
now, and believe Physics 5 will be a wonderful class for anyone thinking of
working in engineering or the physical and biological sciences. Delivered online, the course should be even
more accessible, and hopefully even more fun.
I look forward to any questions you have! |
10/31/08