Syllabus for 2022 Computational Physics Lab I

Course name:
Computational Physics Lab
Course number:
PH 365.
Instructor:
Davide Lazzati
Office hours:
Tuesday 3-4pm, room 303, or by appointment (email davide.lazzati@oregonstate.edu)
Course credits:
1
Class meeting times:
3 hours of lecture per week
Prerequisites:
PH213, This course is expected to be taken alongside the Paradigms.
Course description:
A project-driven laboratory experience in computational physics. Includes the use of basic mathematical and numerical techniques in computer calculations leading to solutions for typical physical problems. Topics to be covered will coordinate with the Paradigms in Physics course sequence.
Learning outcomes:
  • 1) Write functions and entire programs in python
  • 2) Apply the python programming language to solve scientific problems
  • 3) Use the matplotlib and numpy packages
  • 4) Model the physical systems studied in the course
Course content:
See also course schedule.
Evaluation of student performance:

The goal of the grading scheme is to ensure that all students have an excellent opportunity to learn in this course. Because it is a lab course, students' presence in class is necessary for their own learning. Because we work in pairs during the lab, absences will affect the learning of other students.

50%
class attendance
50%
class participation
Students will receive one point for each class attended, an additional point for their participation in class, for a total of 40 points in the class. In most cases, students will receive a point for participation for each class session they attend. If the participation point is docked, the student will be informed of the reason. For the purposes of grading, the midterm and final exams count as one day of class each. The point for participation may be docked for any of the following reasons:
Arriving late, leaving early
These inconvenience your partner, who is forced to work alone for a portion of the class period.
Ignoring partner
If you refuse to listen to and work well with your partner, you may lose your participation credit for the day. Apart from exceptional cases (e.g. verbal abuse), you will be given a warning.
Not working
If you do not work on class activities during the class, naturally your participation grade will suffer.
On the converse, if you need to be absent from class, you may be granted participation credit if you inform the instructor in advance, so plans may be made to compensate for your absence.

Grading scale
93% A 90% A-
87% B+ 83% B 80% B-
77% C+ 73% C 70% C-
67% D+ 63% D 60% D-
<60% F

To be clear, “excused absences” do affect the attendance portion of the grade.

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)