Physics 403

Winter Quarter 2007

Course Syllabus

 

Instructor:      Robert Echols, rechols@calpoly.edu, 756-2656, www.calpoly.edu/~rechols

 

Office Hours:    M, W, R and F 3:10-4:00 p.m., and R 10:10-11:00 p.m. in my office, 52-E36.

 

Schedule:          M, W, and F 11:10-12:00 noon in 52-E45

 

Textbook:       D. Griffiths, Introduction to Elementary Particles

 

Additional References:  F. Halzen and A. Martin, Quarks and Leptons.

                                    B. Martin, Nuclear and Particle Physcis.

                                    D. Perkins, Introduction to High Energy Physics.

                                    (note: Griffith mentions many other texts on pg. 10)

 

Tentative Course Outline:

In physics 403 we will be covering material in chapters 1-4, 6, and 7. If time permits we will decide as a class which additional topics to tackle.

 

Oral Projects:

Working in groups of two, you will present a particle physics topic to the rest of class during the quarter’s final week. You may choose from a topic touched on in class that you want to understand more deeply, a topic in the text that we will not have time to cover, or a topic not covered in the text. Partner and preliminary topic selection will be due Monday February 19, final topic selection due Monday February 26, and detailed outline due Monday March 5th. Presentations will begin on Wednesday March 14.

 

Homework:

As you know working physics problems is critical to understanding the material.  I encourage you to discuss solutions of problems with each other and myself but I expect that the homework you hand in to be individually prepared. In fact, I strongly recommend reworking a problem by yourself (if you did obtain assistance from me or another student) without looking at any previous work you have completed (or the text) to make sure every aspect of the problem is understood.

 

Exams and Quizzes:

We will be having one exam and a comprehensive final exam.

 

Grading:

Your final grade will be based on your overall performance in the class with the following approximate percentages:  exam (20/25%), homework (20%), oral project (20/25%) and the final exam (40-30%).