The textbook we are using is Fundamentals of Physics, by Halliday, Resnick and Walker, 8th ed. LSU has arranged with the publishers a custom edition: 8th edition, by HRW, ed. by J. Walker, which is sold in the bookstore bundled with a WebAssign Plus code for homework. This custom edition has only the material covered in PHYS 1100 and in 2101, and it is cheaper that the regular textbook. The chapters included in the custom edition are identical to the chapters in the regular textbook, so you can also sell this textbook when you finish the course, if desired (but notice that the custom edition does not include Ch 17, which is not covered in this course). The (heavier, more expensive) regular 8th ed.of the regular textbook can also be used as a textbook, of course, and it will also serve as the textbook in 2102. However, you will then need to separately buy a WebAssign code for the homework. You can also access an online edition of the complete textbook with the Webassign code that comes with the textbook, or when you buy a WebAssign Plus code.
Physics 1100 (a pre-requisite for this course) covered the first 6 chapters.  This semester we will cover most of the following 14 chapters of this book, and then Phys 2102 picks up with Chapter 21 in the regular textbook, or with the LSU custom edition for PHYS 2102. 

The questions and problems at the end of each chapter are the source material for most of the WebAssign homework problems.  The checkpoints, sample problems, and end-of-chapter problems and questions are good places to spend exam study time.

The publisher, Wiley, also offers a very useful student companion site, with concept simulations, interactive Learning Ware (these are solutions to some of the textbook problems), student solutions manual and other resources.

All lectures are held in 109 Nicholson. You should feel free to use help from all instructors in the office hours that fit best your schedule.

Exams

• There are four hour-long exams, from 6-7 PM (sharp) on Tuesday nights, January 22, February 19, March 25, and April 15.   Please bring your student ID cards to the exam.
  
• If you have a conflict for taking any of these four exams, please contact your instructor before the exam date to get approval for missing the exam. There will be no make-up exams: if you are allowed to miss the exam, your missing score will be replaced with your score in the final exam. 
• If you have special requirements for taking exams (or other course-related activities), please follow the procedures with the Office of Disability Services, 112 Johnston Hall, and bring documentation from that office to your instructor a week before the affected activity.
• The first exam, on Jan 22,  will be on material you are assumed to know already (chapters 1-6), to help you identify your weak areas (if any) early in the semester.
  You should make sure you get help on those topics you don't do well, since we will use this material extensively the rest of the semester.
• We will provide a formula sheet with each exam.  They will be posted in the "news" section, at the top of the page, when available.
• Our Final Exam is on Thursday, May 8, 5:30-7:30pm.
  
• The deadline to request a conflict final exam due to three or more final exams in a 24 hour period is April 7, 4:30pm. Make sure you consult your final exam schedule before then!  These requests should be made to the dean or director at the college or school in which you are registered.  The dean or director is authorized to determine which of the examinations is to be taken at a time other than originally scheduled; that decision is final, and should be then communicated to the appropriate instructor.
  
• If you have any other conflict with the final exam date, please contact your instructor before April 7, so we can make appropriate arrangements. 
  
• Here are some old exams from 2101 as given in past semesters.  Bear in mind that the curriculum and schedule, as well as the number and content of exams, can change from semester to semester.

Grading

Finding help

• This is a very hard course, and there is a lot of material to cover in a limited time. To do well in the course, we advise that you plan to spend ~10 hours/week on a regular basis during the semester (roughly, 3 hours outside class for each hour in class is a rule of thumb for all courses). It is not easy to catch up if you fall behind, time is used more efficiently if you keep up with the material, and leave the time before the exam for review, rather than learning. Recognize your weak points early, so you can work on them before the exams!
• Although every individual is different, we advice you find a study group, and make sure you are able to explain the problems to your classmates: you only know that you have learned when you can teach!
• Solving new problems yourself (not only looking through the homework solutions and solved exams) is the best way to check your understanding of a specific topic. You can use the problems at the end of the chapters in the textbook.
  
• You can use the many help and visualization tools available in the Wiley's textbook site. Be aware that checking the webpages takes time, though, so don't forget to leave time to solve problems yourself!
  
• You should take advantage of the office hours provided by the instructor of the course; you can also go to office hours of a different instructor than your own, if it fits your schedule better.
• LSU hires graduate students and advanced undergrads to provide tutoring at a help desk.  These tutors cannot give you the answers to your homework, but should be able to point you in the right direction and clarify the material.   The times and tutor names are posted on the door of Nicholson 102.  Once the department has updated its pages for the semester, you can also find the place, tutor names and times here.

Acrobat Reader Software

---