Syllabus of PHY6938 Graduate Problem Solving Techniques,
Fall 2007
Objective and Description of the Course: To supplement - but by no means replace -
the student's own preparation towards the Qualifying Exam. The format of the lectures will be the following:
The instructor will present solutions to some physics problems that are similar
to those of the qualifying exam; these problems are given to the students
before the lecture, and the students should have made attempts to solve them.
The instructer may also ask the students to present their solutions in class.
Prerequisites: Standard undergraduate physics courses.
Textbook: None.
Grading: S/F based on class attendence.
Student Responsibilities: Active student participation is crucial
to the success of this course. Specifically, they are expected to:
attend lectures on time, and contribute to class discussions.
ADA Statement: Students with disabilities
needing academic accommodation should: (1) register with and provide
documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center; (2) bring a
letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what
type. Please do this during the first week of class.
Honor Code: Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor
Code published in the Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook.
The Academic Honor Systems of Florida State University is based on the
premise that each student has the responsibility to (1) uphold the highest
standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) refuse
to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the university community,
and (3) foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the
part of the university community.
Course Topics:
- Classical Mechanics (~ 2 problems in the Qualifying Exam)
- Thermal and Statistical Physics (~ 2 problems in the Qualifying
Exam)
- Electricity and Magnetism (~ 3 problems in the Qualifying Exam)
- Quantum Mechanics (~ 3 problems in the
Qualifying Exam)
- Optics and other Topics in Modern Physics (~ 2 problems in the Qualifying
Exam)
Logistic Information:
- Lectures: MW 3:00 pm -- 4:15 pm (tentaive), Maglab
A306 (tentative).
- Lecturer: Kun Yang; Office:
404 Keen and A306 Magnet Lab; Tel.: 4-5373 (magnet lab); 4-5208
(physics department); Homepage: magnet.fsu.edu/~kunyang ; E-mail:
kunyang@magnet.fsu.edu
- Office hours: by appointment.