29::009 Directions in Modern Physics Syllabus

Spring Semester 1999

Instructor: Prof. Yannick Meurice

Coordinates

Course Content

The course provides an elementary introduction to several developments having occurred in physics recently. The course will be taught in such a way that it can be followed by students having a very minimal mathematical background (high school algebra and trigonometry are the only prerequisite). The students who would like to study some questions in more detail should talk to me. The main textbooks used (see below) are based on public lectures intended to non-specialists and presented by physicists which are considered as leaders in their field. Emphasis will be put on conceptual issues rather than on problem solving. Quantitative aspects will be discussed but in a self-contained way. This year, the course will give an elementary and self-contained introduction to following topics. A more detailed description of the course content will be found in course description.

Textbooks

The main textbooks are : Other references will be provided during the lectures. Students who would like to study some topics more systematically may first consult standard introductory textbooks (Halliday-Resnick, Ohanian....). A very interesting introductory (but not easy) textbook is: R.P. Feynman, R.B. Leighton and M. Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, 3 Vols., 1964, Addison-Wesley. These books should be on reserve at the Physics Library (third floor in Van Allen Hall).

Homeworks

A reading assignment and/or a homework will be given each week (usually on Friday). Students are encouraged to discuss the questions among themselves, however the homework should reflect accurately the individual understandings of the questions. Homeworks will be posted at http://www-hep.physics.uiowa.edu/~meurice/dmp/homeworks.html

Lecture Notes

Occasionally, lecture notes or additional reading material will be provided by the instructor. These notes will be available at the Physics Library or on the web.

Lab and TA

The lab is designed to provide a hands-on experience of some concepts or calculations discussed during the class. Additional information concerning the Lab and the TA will be provided separately. There is no Lab during the first week of class

Examinations and Final Grade

There will be two in-class exams during the semester and one final exam during the exam week. The exams are open books and open notes. The final grade will be calculated in the following way: 30 points for the homeworks, 40 points for the in-class exams and 30 points for the final exam. For the students taking the lab, the lab grade will be counted for an additional 30 points (the total being 130 points in this case).

Class Attendance

Attendance at lectures is highly recommended but not required. You are strongly encouraged to ask questions during the lectures. There are no ``stupid questions''.

Complaint Procedures

You should feel free to express any dissatisfaction regarding the course to me. ``Academic Misconduct'' and ``Student Complaints Concerning Faculty Actions'' procedures are available for your review in the Spring 1999 Schedule of Courses, pp. 43-44. The Department Chairman, Prof. W. Polyzou, can be contacted through the Main Office 203 VAN. As stated in the procedures noted above, complaints or comments regarding TAs should first be directed to the instructor.

Students with Disabilities

Any student who has a disability which may require some modification of seating, testing or other class requirements should see me after the class or at a more convenient time so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Web page with tentative schedule of topics.