Web page: http://www-physics.ucsd.edu/students/courses/winter2008/physics4d/
Please check the web page often for announcements.

INSTRUCTOR: Jorge E. Hirsch, 5310 Mayer Hall, Ext. 4-3931, jhirsch@ucsd.edu
COURSE COORDINATOR: Patti Hey, 118 Urey Hall Addition, Ext. 2-1468.

COURSE CONTENT:
This is the fourth course in the Physics for Physics Majors sequence. First half of the course covers electromagnetic waves and the nature of light, geometric optics, reflection and refraction, lenses and optical instruments, wave nature of light, interference, diffraction, polarization. Second half of the course covers special relativity: motivation, space-time, Lorentz transformation, time dilation and length contraction, relativistic mechanics, equivalence of mass and energy, electromagnetism and relativity, elements of general relativity.

COURSE FORMAT:
Lectures: M, Tu, W and some Fridays. Attendance is strongly encouraged.
Discussion Sections: These sections focus on understanding of theory and methodology, as well as problem solving. You are advised to attend these sections and to make them successful by actively participating.
Problem Sections: These sections focus on problem solving, in preparation for the quiz. You are encouraged to attend and ask questions on homework problems as well as on lecture material.
Quizzes: Some Fridays, as detailed in the Course Schedule. Attendance to quizzes is mandatory.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:
Problems from the books will be assigned for each text chapter, solutions will be posted on the web page . To fully understand the material, you should work most of the problems on your own without help of the solution key. Homeworks will not be graded.

1. Closed-book quizzes will be given on six Fridays in accordance with the schedule given in the attached Tentative Course Schedule. All students are required to purchase bluebooks for quiz taking. Your assigned code number and course number should be written on the cover of the bluebook; do not write your name on the bluebook. At the first quiz you will be assigned a 3-digit number. This number will become your code number for the quarter and will be used on each quiz thereafter, in place of your name. You must memorize this number. Please write quiz answers in ink. Quizzes will be returned to you at the Physics Department Student Affairs Office window (116 Urey Hall Addition) as soon as corrected and recorded. Hours the office will be available for quiz pick-up are 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Recorded grades and solutions will be posted by the code number on the web. Check your posted grade to be sure your grade has been recorded correctly. .
2. Appeals to the grading of quizzes should be made in writing , within one week of the return of that quiz. Do not write directly on the bluebook. Instead, attach a sheet of paper with an explanation for why you are appealing the grade (be specific) and give it to the TA at office hours or discussion sections. Other than for incorrect addition of points, regrades will only be considered for quizzes written in pen (not pencil). If the problem is not resolved after discussing it with the TA, talk to the instructor.
3. 6, 5 or 4 quiz grades will count towards your final grade, so you can drop or miss (not recommended!) up to two quizzes without penalty.
4. There will be no make-up quizzes.

FINAL EXAM: The final will be a closed-book exam and cover all course material. Student I.D. is required .

COURSE GRADE: Quizzes 60%, 50% or 40% (6, 5 or 4 scores) , Final 40%, 50% or 60% (option resulting in best grade will be used).

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Please read "UCSD Policy on Integrity of Scholarship" in the 2007-2008 UCSD General Catalog. These rules will be rigorously enforced.

WHOM TO SEE:
Sharmila Poddar or Richard Hsu, 115 Urey Hall Addition, Physics Dept. Student Affairs Office, if you have any trouble using WebReg to add/change/drop, drop from waitlists.
The Teaching Assistant if you have questions relating to problem solving methods or to grades received.
The Instructor, if you have basic questions about the subject matter, or if you have administrative problems.