Rutgers Physics and Astronomy
Physics 313
Modern Physics 01:750:313

https://rutgers.instructure.com/courses/67918
Fall 2020
Lecturer: Prof. Jolie A. Cizewski

Course Overview

Summary:  This is a one-semester course providing an introduction to modern physics. We will spend roughly the first third of the course developing the two pillars of modern physics: the special theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. We will then discuss several of the main areas of current physics research: atomic physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, elementary particle physics and cosmology. We obviously will not be able to cover these in detail in a one semester course. The course will primarily provide an introduction and overview. If you continue on in physics, you will see these topics in more depth in further undergraduate and graduate courses.

Pre-requisites: 1:750:202 or 1:750:204 or 1:750:228 and 01:640:136 or 01:640:152 (CALC2)

Co-requisites:  None

Meeting times:  Two 80-minute lectures per week. 

                        Lecture:  M-W 6 (5:00-6:20 pm)

                        Recitations:  None

Textbook (recommended):  Modern Physics, Fourth Edition, Kenneth S. Krane, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-119-49546-8

Remote Instruction:    

·      Lectures will be pre-recorded and offered asynchronously. Lectures will be supplemented with simulations of physics concepts and videos of demonstrations, for asynchronous viewing.

·      Short quizzes hosted on Canvas will be required (asynchronously) after every lecture.

·      Worksheets from group problem solving activities and homework will be uploaded into Canvas asynchronously.

·      Synchronous sessions during lecture time:  Interactive problem-solving sessions. The primary activity will be small groups of students working in parallel to solve problems that will be part of a homework assignment. The instructor will start each session with a brief overview of the topics that are being covered and answer questions from the students.  Students are encouraged to ask questions about the lectures, homework, and/or quizzes during this time. 

·      Absences from synchronous activities during lecture time. Students can request via e-mail to the Instructor to be excused from participation points because of technology or other challenges. Students will be reminded at least weekly by the instructor about this option.  Students are expected to complete all asynchronous activities.

Technology requirements:

·      Required:  Scientific calculator

·      Group problem solving will be hosted via Canvas.  Minimal technology is the ability to participate via text (chat) and/or audio.  Ability to draw (e.g. with a tablet) is not required, but desired.

·      Worksheets from group problem solving and homework can be written by hand with image uploaded to Canvas.

·      Term paper should be written with a word processor, with .pdf uploaded into Turnitin.  Handwritten term papers are not acceptable.

Homework or other assignments:

Worksheets from group problem solving and weekly homework will be uploaded to Canvas.  Photos of handwritten materials are acceptable.  Term paper will be uploaded to Canvas via Turnitin.

Exams, quizzes and term paper.

·      At least weekly quizzes will be hosted on Canvas.  Students will have at least 24 hours to take the quiz, but a finite amount of time to complete the quiz once started. 

·      No exams will be hosted during remote instruction.

·      A term paper is required, due at the end of the semester.  It would be uploaded to Canvas via Turnitin.

Office hours

The instructor will host two virtual office hours/week via Canvas. Office hours can also be requested by appointment at time(s) convenient to both instructor and student.

Provisional Grading Plans:

·      Class participation: 20%

·      Weekly Quizzes: 20%

·      Homework (including in-class worksheets):  40%

·      Term Paper: 20%

·      Mid-term: N/A

·      Final Exam: N/A

Lowest 20% of weekly assignments will be dropped.

Schedule (tentative):

Academic Integrity:

Student are expected to maintain the highest level of academic integrity.  You should be familiar with the university policy on academic integrity: http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/academic-integrity-policy/  Violations will be reported and enforced according to this policy.

Use of external sources to obtain solutions to homework assignments or exams is cheating and a violation of the University Academic Integrity policy. Cheating in the course may result in penalties ranging from a zero on an assignment to an F for the course, or expulsion from the University.  Posting of homework assignments, exams, recorded lectures, or other lecture materials to external sites without the permission of the instructor is a violation of copyright and constitutes a facilitation of dishonesty, which may result in the same penalties as explicit cheating.

Not only does the use of such sites violate the University’s policy on Academic Integrity, using such sites interferes with your achievement of the learning you are paying tuition for. Assignments, quizzes, and exams are given not simply to assign grades, but to promote the active learning that occurs through completing assignments on your own.  Getting the right answer is much less important than learning how to get the right answer.  This learning is critical to your success in subsequent courses and your careers.

Student Wellness Services

Student Counseling, ADAP & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) wellness for non-emergency psychological health issues services (848) 932-7884, 17 Senior Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 http://health.rutgers.edu/medical-counseling-services/counseling/

Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA), (848) 932-1181, 3 Bartlett Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901,  http://www.vpva.rutgers.edu/

Office of Disability Services (848) 445-6800, Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A145, Livingston, 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854, https://ods.rutgers.edu/

Scarlet Listeners for confidential peer counseling and referral hotline,  (732) 247-5555,  http://www.scarletlisteners.com

In this course you will learn the basic concepts of Modern Physics – Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. I hope that you will find the course rewarding and share my passion for the sub-atomic world.  Jolie A. Cizewski.