Syllabus Spring 2018 Physics 32100

Modern Physics for Engineers

Physics 321

Spring 2018

Instructor:      Vinod Menon

                        CDI 2-370, vmenon@ccny.cuny.edu

                        212-650-7443

Schedule: Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm in NAC 5/108

Course description: Historical background, special relativity, elementary quantum theory, application to one-electron atoms, atomic shell structure and periodic table; nuclear physics and quantum technologies.

Textbook: Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Author: THORNTON/REX, Publisher: Cengage, Edition: 4, Year Published: 2012

Homework: Problems will be posted on Blackboard - Biweekly

Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm, Location: MR 330C

Note: Since there are no perfect textbooks for Modern physics, I will also be using material from a very well thought out course/syllabus that was developed by the Physics Education team at University of Colorado.

http://www.colorado.edu/physics/EducationIssues/ModernPhysics/materials.html

I will be posting lecture slides and often notes from various sources as supplementary reading material. The lectures will follow topics in the prescribed text book. You should go over the slides, relevant sections in the textbook and supplementary reading materials if any before you come to the lecture. All material relevant to the course will be posted on the course website (on blackboard).

Grading Policy:

• Homework: 15% : Bi-Weekly
• Midterm exams (2): 50% (25% each)
• Final exam: 30%
• Class participation: 5%

Statement of Academic Integrity: As stated in Appendix B.3 of the 2009-2011 City College Bulletin, p. 313: Academic Dishonesty is prohibited by the City University of New York and is punishable by penalties including failing grades and expulsion