Physics 242 SYLLABUS

Spring 2015

Instructor: 

Madalina Furis
510 Cook
Madalina.Furis(at)uvm.edu
656.5177

Lectures:

Tuesdays Thursdays 5:30pm-6:45pm in A402 Cook

Textbook: 

Fundamentals of Condensed Matter and Crystalline Physics, by D. L. Sidebottom 1^st edition, Cambridge University Press.

• This book is available at the UVM Bookstore.
• There is a Kindle version available at a considerable discount on Amazon.
• Additional helpful materials and books will be recommended and distributed throughout the semester. 
• IMPORTANT! IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO Check the blackboard course website AND your UVM email regularly. A lecture-by-lecture calendar of course events will be available in Blackboard. Homework and helpful course materials will be uploaded there on a weekly basis. There will be NO hard copies of homework assignments distributed in class.  
• To access course website log into the blackboard system via http://bb.uvm.edu

Prerequisites: 

Physics 128 and a 200 level Math Course

Topics: 

Crystalline Structure, Light Scattering by crystals, Lattice Vibrations, Band Theory of Electrons, Free Electron Gas, Magnetism and Exchange Interactions, Superconductivity, Optical Properties of Semiconductors, Excitons.

Grades:

Grades in this course will be assigned as follows:

• 40% Homework
• Homework problems will be handed out at the beginning of each new chapter and will be collected  on the lecture following the end of the chapter. The homework will cover material discussed in class during that week.
• To get full credit for the homework you need to show understanding of the physical concepts, as well as knowledge of problem solving techniques.
• Limit your collaboration with fellow students to general procedures about strategies for solving a problem, rather than the solution itself.
• 30% Exams
• There will be two partial exams.  These exams will be scheduled in-class during the semester.
• 25% Final Exam
• 5% Class Participation
• The students are expected to read the material before coming to class. Participation to in-class experiments/demonstrations will count as credit. Part of the homework will be directly linked to the in-class activities.