Syllabus: PHYS 30553-050 - Mechanics
Course &
Instructor Information
Course
Course Title, Prefix, Number, Section: PHYS 30553-050 - Mechanics
Number of Credits: 3
Course Component Type: LEC
This is a one-semester advanced
undergraduate level physics course covering such aspects of classical mechanics
as Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, central
force problem, rigid body motion, small oscillations, special theory of
relativity, etc. We will cover most of the textbook chapters plus some extra
material that will be distributed in class.
Class Location: SWR 358
Class Meeting Day(s) & Time(s): MW 1:00PM - 2:20 PM
Zoom Access Information: Only in-class meetings
Instructor
Instructor Name: Dr. Yuri M. Strzhemechny
Office Location: SWR 373
Office Hours: SWR 373/https://tcu.zoom.us/j/368852310; M 3:00-4:00 PM, F 4:00-5:00 PM and by
appointment
Preferred Method of Contact: Email
Email: Y.Strzhemechny@tcu.edu
Final Evaluative Exercise & Important Dates
|
FINAL: TBA |
Note for students: The syllabus is your first course reading. It provides an orientation to, overview of the flow, and expectations of the course. You should turn to the syllabus for details on course policies.
Student Resources & Policy Information
Click or scan QR code for resources to support you as a TCU student. Please note section on Student Access and Accommodation and Academic Conduct & Course Materials Policies.
Table of Contents
Course & Instructor Information
Final
Evaluative Exercise & Important Dates
Student
Resources & Policy Information
Prerequisites
& Concurrent Enrollment
Teaching
Philosophy & Methodology
Course Description
Catalog Description
Prerequisites:
PHYS 30313, 30493 and MATH 30524 all with a C- or better, or permission of
instructor. Particle motion in one and three dimensions including oscillatory
motion and motion under a central force. Dynamics of many particle systems.
Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations.
Prerequisites & Concurrent Enrollment
Prerequisites: PHYS 30313, 30493 and MATH 30524 all with a C- or
better, or permission of instructor.
Course Materials
Required Materials
Required textbook: Classical Mechanics , 2nd Edition, by Tai L. Chow (ISBN: 9781466569980), Publisher: CRC Press
Teaching Philosophy & Methodology
There are several key principles I find necessary to
follow in teaching.
Practical learning. The most effective way to make a
person learn is to provide a connection between the theoretical concepts and
the hands-on experience. Learning by doing solving class problems, performing
course laboratories, and carrying out extra-curriculum research by far
outweighs learning by listening. Just attending the lectures is never enough.
Ideally, all aspects of practical learning have to be integrated into each
class.
Individual approach. It is necessary to have an honest
interest in your students. I try to get to know the students on a first-name
basis. I treat and respect every student as a unique individual. I remember
that different students have different goals to pursue. I accept that different
students learn differently. I care about developing a positive relationship
with my students and about them developing a positive view of the subject.
Engaging the classroom. This is where teacher s
enthusiasm is crucial. I feel like an emissary for the discipline I teach. I
try to make the students discover what motivates the subject and why it is
important. At the same time, their own interests have to be activated in the
learning process. Furthermore, the students have to be not just taught the
courses but be prepared for the future work place by learning the constructive
way of thinking, the communication skills, and other information that will be
necessary for them throughout their lives.
Effectiveness in delivering information. In the short
run, my goal is to convey a clear message of the course to an ordinary student.
To achieve this objective, I engage my teaching techniques to ensure
intellectual and emotional interaction with the classroom.
Developing research skills. I think that all students,
regardless of their level, should be exposed to research. This should include a
range of endeavors outside a fixed curriculum.
One-problem quizzes (very similar to the
homework problems) will be given during the semester and will include homework
material from previous weeks. Final exam will be cumulative, but the emphasis
will be given to the chapters not covered by the three tests. The tests and the
final will contain conceptual questions and problems. Make-up tests will be
provided to students having an Official University Absence. Students with valid
reasons for missed tests (e.g. doctor's note) will
have to contact me regarding make-up tests as early as possible.
Homework: It is crucial
for you to learn how to apply conceptual knowledge for problem solving. The
textbook provides solid guidelines for you to acquire this skill. You are
strongly encouraged to go through the solutions of all the relevant sample problems.
In addition, for each chapter, I will supply a number of problems for your
homework. It is in your best interest to solve those problems in a timely
manner for several reasons. First, it will provide additional training in
self-education. Second, homework problems will be very similar
(sometimes identical) to those given in the quizzes. Third, homework problems
will be related to those offered in the tests and in the final. If you are
having difficulty solving the homework problems you may want to contact me
during my office hours. It is in your best interest not to copy the homework
from your peers, although a certain degree of creative cooperation is OK.
Active participation in all elements of
the course is essential to your success. The following polices are intended to
help you manage the impacts of rare but significant life disruptions. In the
event of extenuating circumstances (e.g., personal emergency/extended or
chronic illness) that are not manageable through the policies below, the
student should work with the Dean of Students and the professor to find
reasonable solutions on a case-by-case basis. Please do NOT submit medical documentation to the
professor. It is an infringement on student privacy for me to have access to
student medical records, and I cannot accept medical documentation to justify
absences. For any course at TCU, if you have a legitimate reason for your
absence and would like to provide verification, please use the Absence
Documentation Form.
You will have an option of getting up to 10% of
additional credit for an extracurricular research.
Such assignments will be given on request from a pool of topics on a lottery
basis.
Assignment Feedback: Faculty in the
Davis College of Science & Engineering are committed to providing students
with meaningful and timely feedback on their academic work to support learning
and improvement. While the nature, scope, and complexity of assignments may
influence grading timelines, students can generally expect feedback on
submitted work within a reasonable period, typically within one to two weeks.
For larger or more complex assignments, faculty will clearly communicate
anticipated timelines. In turn, students are encouraged to plan accordingly and
reach out if they do not receive feedback within the stated timeframe. This
shared commitment helps ensure that feedback remains an effective and integral
part of the learning process.
Mid-term Grades: Mid-term
evaluations for students will be in a letter grade format, i.e. A through F.
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
|
Course Activities: |
Number of Instances |
|
|
1 |
Quizzes |
4 in total |
|
2 |
Tests (including final) |
4 in total |
Course Requirements
Grading
|
Assignments |
Percentage or Points |
|
Homework-based quizzes |
20% |
|
Test 1 |
20% |
|
Test 2 |
20% |
|
Test 3 |
20% |
|
Final Exam |
20% |
|
Total |
100% |
Grading Scale
|
Points |
|
|
A |
90 - 100 |
|
B |
80 - 89.9 |
|
C |
70 - 79.9 |
|
D |
55 - 69.9 |
|
F |
54.9 and below |