This course is an introduction to topics in classical mechanics,
including Newton’s Laws, conservation of energy and momentum, angular
motion, gravitation, and wave motion. This is a calculus-based course,
designed for students who intend to concentrate in the physical
sciences. It is required that you take Calculus I (Math 111 or 131)
concurrently, if you have not taken it already.
Evaluations
Your final grade for the course will be determined from the following
grading weight distribution:
Lectures attendance is optional
Homeworks: 20%
Deadline is on Monday 11:59pm.
There is 10% per day late penalty fee.
The homework will not be accepted if delayed more than a week.
Midterms (3 of them): 50%
The lowest midterm exam score (only one) will be dropped.
If you miss any midterm exam (without prior
arrangement) its score is assigned to 0 and above formula is applied. If
you miss more than two, only one score is dropped.
Final Exam: 30%
Illness
Notify the instructor if you are ill, so that arrangements can be
made.
Homework
One of the most important part of the class to and assess your
understanding of the material. There is a big jump between being told
what to do and being able to do it by yourself, the homework prepares
your and reveals voids in comprehension. It super good idea to attempt
solving homework before problem sections, than you can
ask questions which will help you to move forward.
Each week you should attend a 50-minute problem section class taught
by a faculty member. The problem section instructor will be responsible
for assigning your final grade for the course. Certain exam problems may
be taken from examples discussed during the problem sessions.
Your problem section instructor can add up to 2% participation or
engagement bonus to your final score.
Asking good questions or be proactive with answers counts.
There might be other ways, discuss them with your problem sector
instructor.
Laboratory
The laboratory (PHYS 101L) is an optional, separately administered
one credit course. You may take PHYS 101 without taking the lab, but
keep in mind that physics majors are required to have taken lab before
graduation. The lab cannot be taken without either being enrolled in the
lecture class or having previously passed 101.
Grading scheme
Grade
Score percentage
Grade
Score percentage
Grade
Score percentage
A
94-100
A-
90-94
B+
87-90
B
84-87
B-
80-84
C+
77-80
C
74-77
C-
70-74
D+
67-70
D
64-67
D-
60-64
F
<60
ADA Accommodation
William & Mary accommodates students with disabilities in
accordance with federal laws and university policy. Any student who
feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a learning,
psychiatric, physical, or chronic health diagnosis should contact
Student Accessibility Services staff at 757-221-2512 or at sas@wm.edu to determine if
accommodations are warranted and to obtain an official letter of
accommodation. For more information, please see http://www.wm.edu/sas.
Mental and Physical Well-Being
William & Mary recognizes that students juggle different
responsibilities and can face challenges that make learning difficult.
There are many resources available at W&M to help students navigate
emotional/psychological, physical/medical, material/accessibility
concerns, including:
The W&M Counseling Center at (757) 221-3620. Services are free
and confidential.
The W&M Health Center at (757) 221-4386.
To seek assistance for interpersonal, academic, and wellness
challenges, please contact Care Support Services at https://wm.edu/care (mailto:care@wm.edu).
For a list of other resources
available to students, see here
or:
