PHYS3300 Spring 2026 Dr. Colbert
e-mail: tcolbert@augusta.edu
GE
1031 WEB PAGE http://spots.augusta.edu/tcolbert
Office Hours: Open Door
Policy.
Schedule
|
Week |
Chapters |
Exam Schedule |
|
Jan.
5 |
1 Galilean Rel |
. |
|
Jan.
12 |
2
Special Rel |
. |
|
Jan. 19 (MLK) |
3,4 Lorentz, length,
time |
. |
|
Jan.
26 |
5,6
Dynamics, Planck BB |
. |
|
Feb. 2 |
6
Planck BB |
Exam
1. ~Chs.1-5. Friday Feb. 6 |
|
Feb. 9 |
7,8 Photons, Brem….Compton |
. |
|
Feb. 16 |
9
Gamma |
. |
|
Feb. 23 |
10
DeBroglie |
. |
|
March 2 Pause 5,6 |
11 Bohr |
. |
|
Mar. 9 |
12
Bohr |
|
|
Mar. 16 |
13
Schrodinger |
.Exam 2, ~Chs.6-9. Friday
20th |
|
Mar.
23 |
14
1Dim-simple |
|
|
Mar. 30 |
15
More 1 Dim |
|
|
April
6-10 April 13 |
Masters/Sp Break 15
More 1 Dim and applied topics |
|
|
April 20 |
Applied
topic tba |
Exam 3, Chs. ~10-15+ Monday April 20th
|
|
April 27 |
Applied topic tba |
.
|
|
Last class 29th |
Applied
topic tba |
.
|
|
|
|
. |
Last day for Withdrawal Tuesday March 3rd.
Final Exam Tuesday May 5th, 2-4PM
Important links
Course Links:
Colbert website:http://spots.augusta.edu/tcolbert/
Microsoft Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/
Book links----T.R. Sandin Essentials of Modern Physics (if you have trouble finding this, see me)
Book:https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/0201092565/
or
or
https://www.biblio.com/book/essentials-modern-physics-r-sandin/d/1008574234
STUDY TIPS AND RESOURCES: Problems will
be assigned throughout the course for each of the chapters. You must read the
assigned material before class lectures on each topic. You should be working
with each other on homework assignments to make sure that you understand all
problems. Working together refers to
discussions and boardwork with no electronic pictures (or photography). No copies of work may be passed between
students, no electronic copies (no pictures) may be made of work. I encourage you to contact me to discuss any
of the assigned work in the class (hw, exams). Our textbook is Essentials of Modern
Physics by T.R. Sandin. I may add
materials from additional resources as available. I am posting a copy of my notes---and video
walkthroughs (me pointing and speaking to notes). These and textbook
materials should be read and viewed prior to topic discussions in teams. I may
post other materials for reading.
TESTS AND FINAL: Three tests will be given. These will be in class F2F exams.. The tests will be graded out of 100 points. The final exam will count as two tests and will cover material from the entire course. No drop tests.
Homework: Assignments will be collected at the
specified due date. You will need to
place names, dates, and assigned problems at the top. You also must not staple
over access to your work. I require that you provide readable work---failure to
do this may result in work not being scored or my request that you re-write
work neatly. I can't grade work if it is not readable. Neat clean clear
complete concise document . Late
assignments will be considered only in the event of non-academic emergency.
Most problems will have equal weight. Some longer problems may count double (I
may leave to my discression upon grading). The homework assignments will
comprise 40% of the course grade. You may work on or discuss assignments with
other students (or with me) but the work you write up and hand in must be your
own! On each hw assignment handed in you
will "create your own problem"(cyop)
along with solution. You should be prepared to discuss any problem in class. It is expected that you start
working on several problems before the final due date for each HW set.
I may add other
assigned work to this category. For example you should be prepared
every class meeting with at least a couple of good questions on current
material (I may call you out). This may
count as HW. I may also ask you to
present a cyop problem (maybe yours, maybe someone
else's). This may count as HW. I may also ask someone else to present your cyop problem (or other selected problem). Don’t be underprepared. It is OK if you
don't know or understand something---but you MUST have questions and
demonstrate you have thought about the material.
Relativity and some of the other material may require that I take time and think in order to answer questions. I'll try to answer everything "on the fly"---but, with relativity I may come back later to answer some questions.
Course
Grades:
60%
of the total grade will come from your test average.
40% of the total grade will come from your homework average.
Grades
will be no less than:
A if
90 % or better
B if
80 %
C if
70 %
D if
60%
F if
less than 60%
If you are unable to attend classes you should get notes from classmates. You are responsible for all material, assignments, tests, etc. See the University attendance policy. Attendance may be taken at the start of the period, or any time throughout class. Excessive absence or tardiness may result in your being withdrawn or receiving a failing grade in the course. In general I count all missed classes, work, work pickups, or other course activities missed as absent. If you have missed 5 of anything that is too many. Ultimately it is the students responsibility to make sure that the proper paper work has been handed in by the last date for withdrawal in order to ensure withdrawal. Failure to handle this properly may result in receiving a failing grade in the course.
Make ups for work missed will be scheduled individually, but only for acceptable reasons.YOU MUST notify me beforehand if possible.
If changes in the above policies or schedule become necessary you will be notified in class. It is your responsibility to make sure that you take note of any such changes.
Student learning
outcomes:
For
physics applications such as special relativity, the Bohr model for hydrogen,
black body radiation, modern physics experiments, and the one dimensional quantum well and other topics listed in the table above, students will
apply knowledge of major theoretical concepts to solve problems. Students will
demonstrate mathematical proficiency solving physics problems.
Required Core Impacts Statement by USG.
Learning Outcomes: Students will use the scientific method and laboratory procedures or mathematical and computational methods to analyze data, solve problems, and explain natural phenomena.
Career Ready Competencies: Inquiry and Analysis, Problem-Solving, & Teamwork