Dr. Shashi M. Kanbur - Fall 2006


COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is a calculus based physics course building on previous courses, hopefully laying the foundations of some critical thinking and problem solving. There are two principal course goals: The course basically follows some chapters in the Phillips and Linder books. For more details, look at the Syllabus

Format

The lecture periods are set as MWF 1.50-2.45pm. If possible some of this time will be spent on some computer lab simulation exercises.

This class will not be a passive experience.

As a result, both coming to class and doing the readings are mandatory for this course.

Finally, all the "facts" you need to succeed in this course are in your text. You are encouraged to bring it with you to class as a guide for the lecture and a framework for any additional notes you may wish to take.

Even if understanding how to think like a scientist doesn't interest you, you can not escape science in today's world. Like it or not, you are now living in a complex, modern society where science plays an ever-increasing role. It is crucial that you understand how science and scientists actually work, since you will find yourself voting on, reading newspaper articles about, and probably using the products of scientific research every day for the rest of your life. Perhaps this course will spark a life-long interest in science; perhaps not. In any event, the thought processes and reasoning skills you develop this semester should stand you in good stead in situations far surpassing this single undergraduate 3-credit course.