Some humor provided by one of the students...

The web pages at www.physics.utoledo.edu/~lsa/_p1750/p1750.html
(include "~" and "_" characters, use lowercase, lsa is lowercase LSA)
describe

The Spiral Galaxy M74

Physics 1750: Introduction to Physics

a course taught at The University of Toledo
in the Department of Physics and Astronomy
in the Fall Semester 2006.

All white or color highlighted text indicates links to related materials.

Time:	13:00-13:50 Monday through Thursday
Place:	1019 Driscoll Center
Professor:	Lawrence Anderson-Huang
Office:	2370 University Hall. Telephone: 530-7257
E-mail:	lawrence.anderson@utoledo.edu Include phys1750 in the subject line.
Office Hours:	10:30-12:00 MTW, or by appointment
Assistant:	David Horne: dhorne@physics.utoledo.edu
Office:	301 Ritter Observatory 530-2658 hours to be announced.
Text: Clicker:	College Physics by Paul Peter Urone (2001: Brooks/Cole) TurningPoint Response Card RF.

Course Description
This course is a general study of concepts which govern the behavior of the natural world. Humanity has come a long way from understanding the world as organized by the capricious will of spirits and gods, to understanding the world as organized by simple mathematical symmetries and laws. We also understand that the 'real' world is a figment of our imaginations and the information we receive from our senses; the miracle is that abstract mathematics provides a seemingly almost complete description of what happens in this 'imaginary' reality. So, philosophy aside, we will cover the rationality (from Latin 'ratio', measure, plan) of physics in a variety of aspects. Since the subject is very large and we only have one semester, we are of course only able to touch on selected topics.

The following link (graciously provided by my colleague Dr. Larry Curtis) describes a philosophy of teaching appropriate for this course. This essay discusses the recognition of models and modeling in physics. The author could have continued to say that all of our assumptions and experiences with the world are "models."

Course Structure and Expectations
The Course consists of approximately fifty lectures, occasional in-class laboratory exercises, five review exams, and one final exam. This link contains a calendar. The percentages each component will contribute to the grade are:
In-class laboratory exercises: 25%
In-class clicker responses: 15%
The best four of the review exams: 40%
The final exam: 20%.
Refer to the links for more information about the grading components.

Withdraw Policy
Dropping or Withdrawing from the course is the responsibility of the student. Last days to drop or withdraw are indicated on the calendar. One may drop or withdraw from one's MYUT web account.
The Instructor's Withdraw is no longer an option at the University.
In virtually all cases, a student will receive the grade appropriate for the work completed. Only in truly exceptional circumstances will I give an "IN" (incomplete).

Lectures, Text, and Notes
There are links on the calendar to outlines for each lecture, and on each outline page will be a link to sample questions and problems. Sometimes there are links to interesting demonstrations and other explanatory material on the Internet.

Unless otherwise stated, all exam material will be covered in lecture, and the questions will be taken from the sample lists with simple modifications. It is advisable to read the text sections once before the lectures, to acquaint yourself with the material, and then again afterwards to cement your understanding. After class, rewrite your notes in a coherent form, using the text as a guide. Come to class regularly. Some material may not be in the book, and the in-class laboratory exercises will not be announced. Some exam questions will relate to the in-class demonstrations. A fair amount of the lecture time will be devoted to solving example problems.

Feel free to ask questions during the lectures; if you are confused about a concept, it is very likely that several others are as well. There is nothing embarrassing about 'not knowing'; all people have a wide variety of intelligences, usually much more sophisticated than a mere knowledge of 'physics.' In fact, the intelligence required to translate the visual stimulus on the retina into a world picture in the mind is much greater than that required to write a great symphony or to invent a new physics, and everyone is born with that ability.

Start your own study group. If you know others in the class, get together with them. If not, talk to the people next to you in class. Discussing concepts and problems with other students is one of the best ways to learn the material.

Because we are covering a lot of material in a short time, it is imperative that you keep up with the work. Remember that the University expects a student to study a minimum of two hours for every hour in class. If you feel you would benefit from a private tutor, the Department Office (MH 2017) maintains a list of graduate students who are qualified to help you. I and Mr. Horne are available during office hours or by appointment.