Instructor information:

Dr. Lei Guo
Email: leguo@fiu.edu, Office phone: 305-348-0234
Class Times: Tu/Th 11:00 AM -- 12: 15PM (at CP103)

Office Hours  (subject to change):

            Mon: 4-5pm

           Tue  through  Thur 13:00-14:00PM (or by appointment) CP 212

Goal/Overview:
This is a course for physics majors, and the second part of the two-part classical mechanics. This is a rigorous and challenging class, and quite math-intensive. If will be very helpful if you are also taking PHZ 3113 Methods of Theoretical Physics (Taught by Dr. Maxwell this semester), since we will need various tools ranging from linear algebra, tensor, and coupled differential equations. Timely completion of homework is a must if you want to have any chance of passing the exams and the class. If you ever fall behind, your chance of passing will be dramatically reduced. A smart schedule that allows you to devote at least 12 hours to this class per week, outside of the classroom, is expected and a must to achieve a good grade.

Requirement:

Read each of the assigned chapter sections (listed below) before the lecture, and again immediately after. The schedule is tentative and subject to change. Suggested problems from the book will be listed on the whiteboard and the lecture notes, which will be available online. Do not hesitate to ask questions. Make use of my office hour!

Textbook:

We will be using Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems (fifth edition) by Thornton and Marion. You can purchase this book in the school bookstore, or online

Homework:

One or two sets of homework will be assigned for each chapter. All homework will be turned in to me. One of two problems from each assignment will be graded by me. Which of those problems that will be selected for grading will not be announced in advance. They will be posted on the class website, via emails, and also on my lecture note.

Honor code:

It is important to complete the homework by yourself, in order to pass the class.  You are, however, encouraged to collaborate in teams. The homework you turn in, must be your work whether you received help or not. Copying answers simply means trouble for yourself, as you will not be able to pass the exam.

Office Hour:

Other than the specified office hours above, you are always welcome to come to my office hour when you need help. Call or email me in advance if you want to meet me at times other than the office hours.

Grading:

There will be four in-class examinations (three midterms and one final). No make-up examinations will be given. If you miss an examination you will receive a grade of zero for that examination. The course grade will be determined using the grades obtained in the exams, the homework, and class attendance/participation . The weighting of the grades will be 20% for each of the three midterm exams, 20% for the final exam,  and 20% for the homework. (i.e. 20%x4+20%+20%=100%).

If you attended all classes and never missed one, you will get 5% bonus for the class participation. If you miss one class, there will be 0% bonus.

Extra credits:

From time to time, some challenging problems will be assigned along with the normal homework.

Schedules and Exams:

At the bottom of this page is the class schedule and it may change as the course progresses.

Exams: There will be three midterm exams and a final exam. The final exam IS not cumulative.

Make-up exams:

It is absolutely necessary that the students show up for the exams on time. There will be NO make-up exams to be given. Exception can only be given when there is hospitalization involved, and relevant evidence should be provided. Vacation/Family reunion/lack-of-transportation/car-broke-down will not be considered as valid reasons. Arrange carpools if necessary. If you have already made travel plans at the exam times, your need to change your travel plan now. The exams will not be rescheduled just for you, and you will not have a chance for make up because of your travel plan.

Checking FIU emails:

In the past, some students claim that they never received communications from me via emails. All class notifications are sent to your FIU email address. You have the responsibility of checking them.

 Important dates:

Each exams will cover one chapter.

  Exams: Jan 26 (CH9), Feb 23 (CH11), Mar 30 (CH12), Apr 21 (CH13 and CH14) 

(Exactly which chapters are covered in the exams depend on how fast the lecture  progresses,    and are subject to change)
Other important dates, including deadlines for dropping classes, can be found at

http://onestop.fiu.edu/academic-calendar/

 

Expected Grade Scale

(subjected to change):   

    F    0 -- 40     
    D    40 -- 59   

    C    60 -- 64

    C+   65 -- 69   

    B-  70 -- 74
    B    75 -- 79    

    B+  80 -- 84
    A-   85-- 89     

    A    >90