Syllabus for 2024 Problem-Solving

Course name:
AIMS: Problem Solving
Course number:
AIMS 23.
Instructor:
Corinne Manogue and Tevian Dray
Course credits:
0
Class meeting times:
30 hours total
Prerequisites:
TBA
Course description:
Physicists and other physical scientists and engineers routinely use algebra and calculus, including vector calculus, in problem-solving. But the hard part of physics problem solving is often at the beginning and end of the problem, namely getting to an algebraic expression from a description of a physical situation in words or other representations, and interpreting an algebraic expression as a statement about what will happen in the real world. This course will use examples from electromagnetism involving scalar and vector fields in the three-dimensional world to explore a variety of problem-solving methods, including using information from experimental data, approximations, idealizations, and visualizations. The emphasis will be on how geometry can help.
Learning resources:
The Geometry of Static Fields (GSF): https://books.physics.oregonstate.edu/GSF;
The Geometry of Mathematical Methods (GMM): https://books.physics.oregonstate.edu/GMM.
Learning outcomes:
  • 1) (none yet)
Course content:
  • 1) (none yet)
See also course schedule.
Evaluation of student performance:

The best way to learn the material of this course is to attend class, participate in the class activities, and do the exercises.

Your course mark will be determined by your marks on three required assignments which will be turned in on Gradescope (instructions will be shared in class).

In preparation for these assignments, we will provide daily practice exercises with solutions. You will NOT turn in these exercises.

Additional Guidance

  • You are strongly encouraged to work on assignments, including coding and plotting, collaboratively. Science is inherently a social and collaborative effort. So that we can best support your learning, you are required to turn in assignments that you have written up independently.
  • Appropriate resources on assignments include: working with each other, the course tutor(s), or the course instructors; textbooks; other online materials, etc. Do not use homework solutions from Oregon State and do not share your completed homework solutions with other students (in other words, collaborate through discussion, not copying).
  • Document your resources appropriately. If you find a homework problem worked out somewhere (other than from Oregon State), you may certainly use that resource, just make sure you reference it properly. If someone else helps you solve a problem, reference that too. An appropriate reference might be "Corinne Manogue (private communication, 1/15/21)" or "I worked with Corinne Manogue on this problem". Representing someone else's work as your own without reference -- also known as plagiarism -- is unethical, but collaboration and exchange of ideas is healthy. You can avoid having collaborative efforts take on the look of plagiarism by acknowledging sources as described above and by writing up your work independently.
  • The problems in this course will likely take longer than problems you've seen in previous courses. If you find that you have worked on a problem for 1/2 hour WITHOUT MAKING FORWARD PROGRESS, it's time to pause, take a break, sleep, and seek help from classmates or the instructional team.

PLEASE IGNORE THE ITEMS BELOW, WHICH ARE THE OSU DEFAULTS

Academic calendar:
All students are subject to the registration and refund deadlines as stated in the Academic Calendar: https://registrar.oregonstate.edu/osu-academic-calendar
Statement regarding students with disabilities:
Accommodations for students with disabilities are determined and approved by Disability Access Services (DAS). If you, as a student, believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not obtained approval please contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098 or at http://ds.oregonstate.edu. DAS notifies students and faculty members of approved academic accommodations and coordinates implementation of those accommodations. While not required, students and faculty members are encouraged to discuss details of the implementation of individual accommodations.
Expectations of student conduct:
Students are expected to comply with the University code of conduct, available at https://beav.es/codeofconduct.
Student bill of rights

OSU has twelve established student rights. They include due process in all university disciplinary processes, an equal opportunity to learn, and grading in accordance with the course syllabus: https://asosu.oregonstate.edu/advocacy/rights

Reach out for success:
University students encounter setbacks from time to time. If you encounter difficulties and need assistance, it’s important to reach out. Consider discussing the situation with an instructor or academic advisor. Learn about resources that assist with wellness and academic success at oregonstate.edu/ReachOut. If you are in immediate crisis, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting OREGON to 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)