Fizik I Mechanics ZCA 1014 1 Course information

Fizik I – Mechanics ZCA 101/4 1

Course information • First quarter: Yoon Tiem Leong • Second quarter: Dr. Ng Sha Shiong 2

Contact hours • One semester = 7 + 7 = 14 study weeks. • ZCA 101/4 4 hours (actually, 50 mins) of lecture per week. 3

Teaching language • English • Exam questions will be in dual-language 4

Our problems • • 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Class is large: ~ 150 persons Hence personal attention is difficult to be provided Please discuss in the forum in the elearning portal. Consult you tutors Meet me anytime Pose your question through SMS during the lecture (but I prefer you raise your questions in the class) My HP: 013 -4306468 Bring your laptop to the lecture if possible. 5

Consultation by tutor • Know your tutor and make good use of them • The name list of tutors will be announced soon 6

Mechanics, historically • Historically, mechanics is the earliest kind of physics from which all other kind of physics emerge (e. g. EM, QM, Statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, relativity, etc). 7

My objectives To make the students to get use to the: • Methodology used by physicists to investigate physical systems. • Paradigm used by physicists. • Way how physicists model our world with mathematics and make contact with the real word • Way how to describe the behavior and evolution of mechanical systems according to the Newtonian laws. 8

Demonstrate your understanding, not your rote learning • Conceptual understanding will be emphasized in the exam and the tests, apart from the ability to perform calculation. • I will make sure that only those who understand the concepts can get through the ZCA 101 course. • Exam will not side those who memorise (~ 50% failure rate in the past) 9

My “Style” • Consultation hours anytime (as long as I am free). • Formality is not my style. • You are welcomed to be my friends. • ASK ME questions, any kind, any time – this is our consensus. 10

Main reference text • Physics for Scientists and Engineers (TEXT BOOK) by Raymond A. Serway, John W. , Jr. Jewett, John W. Jewett Jr. , Publisher: Brooks Cole, 8 th edition 11

Lecture materials • Lecture notes (. ppt or. pdf) will be uploaded and updated from time to time in the elearning portal. • These notes get modified and corrected from time to time. • Use only the latest version (i. e, those that has been discussed in the class). • Avoid printing those part of the lecture notes that has not been updated to avoid wastage. • Print out only finalised version (normally 1 – 2 weeks after lecture). • NEVER RELY SOLELY ON THESE LECTURE NOTES. READ THE TEXTBOOKS. 12

Course requirement (informal) • Basic mathematics learned at the pre-U levels: calculus, trigonometry, algebra, vector, first and second order differential equations • English • ATTITUDE • Study smart • NOT MORE SPOON FEEDING 13

Evaluation • All information will be stated black-and-white on the elearning portal. • Final exam: 70%, Coursework: 30% • Coursework includes: • Weekly pop quizzes: 30 marks. • Better make sure you attend all the class as pop quizzes will happen surprisingly except on Monday’s class. 14

Exam format • 20 Objective questions • 6 structured questions (3 from YTL, 3 from NSS) 15

Advice • This is a university, not a secondary school. • Learning has to be done independently. • Adapt your learning strategy in a university setting. • Do the tutorial questions given. 16

Advice (cont. ) • • • Don’t be a memorising machine. Don’t expect spoon feeding. Learn to think, logically and independently. Learn to learn. Learn to be creative. Learn to communicate with the lecturers. 17

E-learning web • Find your course at http: //elearning. usm. my/ • All materials related to the course will be posted there. • Forum, lecture notes, course content, schedule, announcement, exam/test solution and results • Almost everything is there. • Book mark the page and check it as frequent as possible to avoid regret (the latest info / update will be announced there). 18

E-learning web • Notes and tutorial questions are downloadable from e-learning. • Read them before come to the class. • Learn to master the basic internet technology: online chat, downloading, uploading, emailing • Use the forum e-learning as a platform to communicate and discussion – strongly advised. • Interactive learning is strongly encouraged – emailing, Q&A on class, in private, by phone, forum on the web etc. 19 • Feedback to me on the e-learning forum.

Please challenge me 20

Questions? 21