Classical Mechanics Capstone

Physics 435, Spring 2009

Course Goals:

• To refine understanding of classical mechanics by integrating lower-division and upper-division knowledge of classical systems.
• To expand understanding of classical physics by relaxing prior idealizations (i.e. including drag forces, considering multi-particle systems).
• To learn new techniques (i.e. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods) for finding the equations of motion for classical systems.
• To learn about coupled systems by analyzing, in detail, systems of coupled oscillators.
• To develop advanced analytical problem solving habits (i.e. considering limiting cases, exploring parameter space, etc.)

Course Policies & Expectations:

Reading Assignments will be issued for (almost) every class meeting. You are expected to read the assigned text prior to class and be prepared to discuss the material. For every reading assignment, I will accept e-mail questions about the content covered for participation credit. E-mails must be received at least one hour prior to class (8:00am on the reading assignment due date) and the subject must be "Ph435 Reading Assignment". I will try to prepare answers to your questions and address them in class or via e-mail.

I reserve the right to administer unannounced reading quizzes that will be included in your homework grades.

Homework will be assigned weekly and will be due Wednesdays at the beginning of class. If you need an extension, you must make arrangements with me prior to the due date. Late homework may be accepted for reduced credit. Your homework solutions must be neat, organized, and should include explanations/discussions of your understanding of the problems. Solutions that are disorganized or don't discuss the significance of the answer/solution will not receive full credit. You are encouraged to use any computer software you are comfortable with to help with complex computations and generating graphs, and you may turn in computer generated plots as part of your solution, but you may not turn in print-outs of computations done with a computer (i.e. Maple worksheets will not receive credit).

Homework will be graded on a 5 point scale with the following rubric:

            4 points - correct solution

            3 points - mostly correct solution with some minor errors

            2 points - major errors, but a good attempt is made

            1 points - little progress is made toward a correct solution

            0 points - no attempt is made

           +1 point - solution includes evidence of sense-making (discussion of the solution/your understanding, limiting cases, etc.)

Disputes about grades must be made within 1 week after the graded assignment is returned. All course assignments must be turned in by the end of class on Friday, June 5 at 10:00am.  

Collaboration with your classmates is strongly encouraged. However, the work that you turn in for evaluation should be finalized independently and reflect your own understanding of the material. Never work so closely with someone that you produce the same solution/graphs. Work that is deemed by the instructor to be too similar will be returned ungraded and the students involved will be asked to produce new solutions that are different from each other (and the original).

References are expected for all course assignments. If you work with another person or use a resource other than the instructor or the required text, you must provide an appropriate acknowledgement. You may not use homework solutions from previous years as a source; they are strictly forbidden. Acts of academic dishonesty will be treated seriously and reported to the department chair. OSU defines academic dishonesty as "An intentional act of deception in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic work."(Oregon Administrative Rules 576-015-0020.1.a-c, retrieved 3/24/2008). Please familiarize yourself with OSU's policies on student conduct and academic dishonesty.

Course Grades will be determined by the following weighting scale:

10% Participation (reading assignments; in-class participation)

30% Homework (consisting of 9 problem sets & occasional reading quizzes)

20% Midterm Exam (in class, May 1)

40% Final Exam (cumulative, date to be announced)

Students with Special Needs  Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodation, who have any medical information which the instructor should know of, or who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, should make an appointment to discuss their needs with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term.