Instructor: Alexios Polychronakos, Room J312C, Marshak Science Building; (212)
6505536;
alexios@sci.ccny.cuny.edu
Office hours: Monday 10:45-12:25 and Wednesday 10:40-11:00. If it is not possible
for you to see me at these particular times, an appointment can be arranged on
an as-needed basis. Call or leave an email message. Unscheduled visits are not
guaranteed to result to audition!
Material: Basic notions and mathematical tools of analytical mechanics, with
emphasis on physical concepts and techniques that generalize beyond classical
mechanics.
Textbook: Classical Dynamics of Particles and
Systems, S.T. Thornton and J.B.
Marion, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 5th Edition; ISBN 0-534-40896-6.
Prerequisites: Basic algebra, elementary calculus and notions on vectors. Physics 20800 and Math
39100 are required or co-required. Take
some time in the beginning of the course to review your math and study the
fundamental concepts on vectors in the book
Structure of lectures:
Lectures will cover theory, work
out examples and solve problems as needed. There will be no strict separation
between “theory” and “problem solving” sessions. Here is a tentative schedule.
Week of Topic
09/03 General introduction, Chapter 1
09/10 Chapter 2
09/17 Chapter 3
09/24 Chapter 4
10/01 Chapter 5
10/08 Chapter 6
10/15 Chapter 7.1-7.4
10/22 Chapter 7.5-7.11
10/29 Midterm Exam, Chapter 8
11/05 Chapter 9
11/12 Chapter 10, Chapter 11.1-11.6
11/19 Chapter 11.7-11.12
11/26 Chapter 12
12/03 Chapter 13
12/10 Review, Overview
Study plan: You should attend lectures, solve problems as assigned in homework or suggested in class and review the necessary material from the book or your notes. Do not fall behind, as this will compromise your understanding of material to come and may precipitate serious difficulty with the course. Ask questions! Ask me during class if anything is unclear, or whenever you have a puzzle or idea. If you have serious problems arrange to see me.
Attendance, Homework: No roll call will take place but you are strongly
advised to attend all lectures. There will be homework for credit
assigned on a weekly basis, due on Friday of the week next to the assignment.
Late homework may be accepted at the instructor and grader’s discretion.
Class Behavior and Cheating: You are expected to act responsibly and follow the
rules of the course as well as those of civility. This includes the courtesy of
not talking, acting disruptively or engaging in extracurricular activities
during lectures (reading newspapers, sleeping etc.) and of behaving to the
lecturer and your fellow students politely. No food can be taken in the
classroom, but I will allow and even encourage drinking non-alcoholic drinks,
especially caffeinated! Cheating in exams, homework or any other
circumstance is grounds for failing the course and suffering severe academic
consequences.
Exams: One Midterm exam and one comprehensive Final.
1.
Exam Structure: Exams are open book: you are permitted to bring with you your
books, notes, calculator, slide rule, abacus, ouija board or anything else you
wish. Communication during the exam is strictly forbidden: no talking,
exchanging material or calculators, wireless devices (cell phones, laptops
etc.), sign language, ESP etc.
2.
Questions During
Exams: For clarifications on what
is being asked raise your hand. No help or hints on how to answer the question
will be provided.
3.
Missing an Exam: For absence due to serious medical or family
emergency and documented to be truly unavoidable, a make-up exam
could be given that will be no easier than the regular exam. It is to your advantage to be there
for the scheduled exam.
4.
Etiquette: Show up on time for the exam. Please take
care of your needs beforehand, and avoid asking to use of the bathroom during
the exam.
Grades: Your
letter grade will be based on a numerical score to be computed as follows:
Homework 20%, Midterm 30%, Final 50%. No single exam will guarantee your passing
the course, so you are strongly advised to participate in all of the above
evaluations.
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*NOTE: All of the above is tentative and subject to change. It is intended as a guide on how the course will be administered. The instructor reserves the right to make changes during the semester as he sees fit. Changes, if any, to the rules and to the schedule will be announced as they occur. It is the students’ responsibility to remain informed about the course and be alert of any changes or new information.