Course Announcements
« PHYS221 Summer 2009
Final Grade Scaling
Mon 10Aug2009 12:56PMBecause the average of Exam 1 was only 46%, Exam 1 has been rescaled treating the highest score as 100. This strategy was determined by the Physics Department. That being said, to calculate your rescaled grade multiply the raw grade (out of 250) you received by 8/15 (the result is a percentage).
A third score was computed from the total points received in lab reports, CHIP homework, and quizzes. Multiply your total by 5/21 (the result is a percentage).
The average of Exam 1, Exam 2, and the third score was calculated. From the result and the following cuts, you can determine your letter grade:
A 90-100
A- 84-89
B+ 77-83
B 70-76
B- 65-69
C+ 60-64
C 55-59
C- 50-54
Statistics for Final Exam
Thu 06Aug2009 4:06PM
Out of the 62 students who took the exam, the average was 75%. I thought it would be in the low
80's but at least it's a mean typical of most exams.
The highest score was a 97% and the lowest was a 35%.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the outcome. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Steve Kane
Statistics for the Midterm
Fri 10Jul2009 4:47PMHey guys,
Here's the statistics for your midterm exam:
Number of examinees: 63
Mean: 45.635%
Standard Deviation: 14.326%
Standard Error of Measurement: 9.827
Cronbach Alpha Reliability: 0.530
These are straight off the scantron statistics sheet I got back with your results.
I accidently made it out of 100 instead of 250 so I may need to adjust the CHIP scores under exam.
According to the statistics there may have been an issue with problems 8, 12 , and 15. I went back over them, but I didn't see anything that marked them as bad questions, obviously if you have any concerns please feel free to contact me.
Cheers,
Ben
Midterm date and time:Wednesday, July 8th 2009 7-8:30 you will be given 1hr 30 min
Mon 06Jul2009 9:11PMMidterm will be July 8th at 7PM contrary to the calendar or syllabus!!!!!
Example Problems
Mon 06Jul2009 5:06PMHi Guys,
I just looked over my list of candidate problems that I was thinking about distributing, and I'm a little afraid that by releasing it I wouldn't get a good description of how well you actually understand the material. So instead I'm just going to give you a quick way to see if you understand the material:
1) Make sure you've read through or at least skimmed the chapter and nothing really stood out as odd.
2) Work 1-2 problems under each section heading in the section "Problems" at the end of your chapter. If you can do them without referring to anything great you most likely understand the material. If you need to rely on a few equations or principles that you can't remember without looking them up, you should write them down on your crypt sheet. If you are completely confused about what the problem is asking you should probably reread that section or phone a friend.
3) Most of the questions that I am asking have a stronger conceptual component to them so if you understand what is going on most likely the test will not take very long, so you might pay attention to what details are important or useless when solving a problem.
4) Test questions will only cover material seen in lecture, so if you don't quite understand how an EM wave is generated or some of the microscopic scale origin of magnetic fields I don't think you should be too concerned
I know these aren't quite what you are looking for, but again I really don't want anyone to be absolutely bored at the test.
Cheers,
Ben
If you absolutely have to do something here is a random list of problems I found by rolling a weighted die:
20-1
20-8
20-11
20-12
20-45
20-58
20-64
20-82
21-4
21-19
21-38
21-46
22-1
22-12
22-18
22-24
22-32
22-40
22-42
22-52
22-60
22-67
23-3
23-40
Study Guide and Equations Sheet Poster
Tue 30Jun2009 9:19PMI have posted the study guide and equations sheet for the exam, as a reminder you will be given the equations sheet so you don't need to record any of the equations from there. Also remember that you are allowed one sheet of paper (8 1/2'' by 11'') to use as a crypt sheet for use on the exam. I have finalized the room and time, if you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact me.
Cheers,
Ben
Midterm: July 8, 2009
7-8 PM (tentative until confirmation from office)
Room 112 (subject to change based on same office)
Fri 26Jun2009 11:56AMYour Exam will be July 8, 2009 and will cover Chapters 17-23. In its current incarnation it will be 20 questions, multiple choice and should take an hour, with possible time extensions depending on necessity. As was mentioned at the beginning of class this exam will be based on problems from the end of the chapter. A practice exam can be made if enough people request one.
Cheers,
Ben
Error in Syllabus
Sun 14Jun2009 1:35PMI noticed a slight error in the syllabus, the week of the first exam we will be having 2 homeworks not just one.
Welcome to Physics 221!
Sun 14Jun2009 1:34PMWelcome to Physics 221 Summer 2009. Class begins Monday, June 14. The first chapter's notes have been uploaded as well as the syllabus and a general schedule. Depending on how far we get there might be time for more in class examples.