Syllabus for Physics 253 --- Basic Mechanics 
Fall Semester, 2009 
MWF 2:00 – 2:50, FR 144
Instructor: Suzanne Willis 
Office: Faraday Hall 218
swillis@niu.edu 
815-753-6481
Office Hours: MWF 10:00am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm – 1:45 pm
TuTh 1:00pm – 3:00 pm
and by appointment

Course Textbook:   Fundamentals of Physics (8th edition) 
Authors: Halliday, Resnick, and Walker 

Measurement: Chapter 1 
Motion Along a Straight Line: Chapter 2 
Vectors: Chapter 3 

Exam 1, Chapters 1-3: Monday, Sept. 14

Motion in Two and Three Dimensions: Chapter 4 
Force and Motion – I: Chapter 5 
Force and Motion – II: Chapter 6 

Exam 2, Chapters 4-6: Monday, Oct. 12

Kinetic Energy and Work: Chapter 7 
Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy: Chapter 8 
Center of Mass and Linear Momentum: Chapter 9 

Exam 3, Chapters 7-9: Monday, Nov. 9

Rotation: Chapter 10 
Rolling, Torque, and Angular Momentum: Chapter 11 
Equilibrium and Elasticity: Chapter 12 

Final Exam, Chapters 10-12 and comprehensive: Monday, Dec. 7, 2-3:50 p.m., FR 144

Homework assignments and their due dates are posted on Blackboard. Late homework will be penalized 10% per day. 

We will be using clickers for this class; clicker questions will be counted towards your grade. There will be other interactive exercises during class as well, and these will also count towards your grade.

You will be assigned to a small study group. Assignments will be available on Blackboard. You may do your homework with your study group, although you should each turn in your own paper. You will also be doing in-class work with your study group, so be sure to sit together.

All exams are closed book, and closed notes.  Graphics Calculators will not be allowed for exams; only scientific calculators will be allowed. 

Grading:

Lecture grade:
	Homework							10%
	Clicker questions and other in-class exercises			20%
	Exams 1, 2, and 3 	 					15% each
	Final exam 							25%

Lecture grade will make up 75% of the final grade 

Lab will make up 25% of the final grade. YOU MUST PASS THE LAB IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE.

There are Physics Tutors available in Faraday East Room 251