INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Christian Iliadis (office PH174; Ph.: 962-3016; email: iliadis@unc.edu; webpage: www.physics.unc.edu/~iliadis). OFFICE HOURS: Thursday, 11:00-12:00 am, or by appointment.   WHAT THIS COURSE IS ABOUT: The course is intended to provide an overview of 20th century physics. We will cover the special theory of relativity, quantum theory, atomic physics, nuclear physics and astrophysics.   ATTENDANCE: It is expected that you will attend all scheduled classes and laboratory sessions. Attendance at the exams is required. Absence from an exam will result in a grade of zero on that examination unless an official written explanation is presented. No make up exams will be given unless special arrangements are made before a scheduled exam. It is expected that you will abide by the UNC Honor Code. It is very important that your class notes are complete (i.e., copy everything from the whiteboard to your notes), since the class discussion may differ from the book. Important ground rules: under no circumstances should you during class (i) operate your cellphone, (ii) surf the web, (iii) sleep. You may use your laptop for taking notes only.   TEXTBOOK: "Modern Physics" (2nd edition), by K. Krane (Wiley, 1996).   LABS: The lab is a separate course and will meet in Room 231. Laboratory manuals are available in the Course Pack section of the campus bookstore. HOMEWORK: Assigned weekly. Homework is due one week after handout. Late homework will not be accepted. Answers will be placed one week after handout at the Undergraduate Library. Homework problems are similar in difficulty to  problems that will appear on the examinations. Feel free to study in groups after class, but do not copy the homework from each other.  EXAMINATIONS: There will be two midterm exams plus a final exam. The midterms will cover topics discussed in class since the previous midterm. The final exam will be cumulative. All exams will have the same format and will consist of two parts: a multiple choice part and a numerical problem part. The multiple choice problems may not necessarily have a single correct answer (perhaps 2 or 3 or all answers, or no answers, may be correct). Each multiple choice or numerical problem will be worth 10 points. All exams are of closed book format and, in particular, no formula sheets are allowed. You are supposed to bring only a pen and a calculator to the exams. I will not answer any questions in class before or after handout of an exam.    GRADES: The final grade will be based on two midterms (12.5% each; 25% total), oral presentation (15%), term paper (10%); homework (25%) and final exam (25%). The labs are graded separately. There will be no extra credit in this course. TUTORING HELP: Check either the Physics Tutorial Center (free) or SPS Tutoring (low cost).   MIDTERM 1: Tuesday, October 4, 9:30 am. MIDTERM 2: Thursday, December 1, 9:30 am. TERM PAPER: Tuesday, November 29. FINAL EXAM: Thursday, December 15, 8:00 am. HOLIDAYS: Thu 10/20; Thu 11/17; Tue 11/22; Thu 11/24. FIELD TRIPS: TBA.mailto:iliadis@unc.eduhttp://www.physics.unc.edu/~iliadishttp://www.physics.unc.edu/~iliadis/presentation.htmlhttp://www.physics.unc.edu/~iliadis/presentation.htmlhttp://www.physics.unc.edu/~iliadis/presentation.htmlhttp://www.physics.unc.edu/labs/physics_tc.phphttp://www.physics.unc.edu/ugrad/sps/tutor/shapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3shapeimage_2_link_4shapeimage_2_link_5shapeimage_2_link_6

PHYSICS 128

Modern Physics

Fall 2011, Tu/Th, 9:30-10:45 am, Room PH247