Physics 161-002 Course Information 

Spring 2008

Grading and student responsibility

text and other material

Student ID

I Clickers

Mastering Physics (MP)

CAPS tutoring and SI Information

 problems session (23662) PHYS 168-002 Prob-P 161-002 T RH 114 7:00-7:50 PM


Grading and student responsibility:  Grades will be based on homework, tests, final with roughly equal weight but according to the discretion of
the instructor.  Homework will be consist of both web-based assignments using Mastering Physics as well as written assignments as posted on the syllabus.  It
is the repsponsiblity of the student to check both web pages and complete homework on time. The course material is based on the assigned textbook chapters and is
not limited to topics explicitly discussed in class.
 The mastery of the course material is the responsibility of the student.  top of page


Text and other material:    Mandatory Text: University Physics by Young & Freedman, 12thed.  Various text supplements are available and may be helpful but are not required. However, purchase and use of an iclicker and Mastering Physics (MP) are required.  MP comes free with new texts purchased in the bookstore.  But if you bought a used text or obtained your text elsewhere you will have to purchase MP (details are given below).  The problem session (Physics 168-002, call #23662) should be helpful but is not required. The laboratory (Physics 161 L) is very relevant to the course and is recommended but is not required. You will need a simple calculator with trig functions that you should bring to class regularly. top of page


Student ID:  This is a number that identifies you for this course and protects your privacy.  To obtain a Student ID  go to the following website:  http://panda.unm.edu/clickers/gold161.phtml .  The first person in the class who registers their keypad will be given number 1, the next 2 and so on.  While at this website, you should register your I-Clicker also.  Use this Student ID for your online homework, tests,  etc.  Due to privacy concerns, DO NOT write your social security number or banner ID on anything you hand intop of page

I-Clickers (Keypads):  We are using that you must purchase from the bookstore. You must register your keypad before class Monday and bring it to class.  Go to http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/StudentHelp/index.html  for instructions and help on registering.  When you register your keypad be sure to provide your name (even though the registration Website treats your name as an optional field).  Pay careful attention to distinguish between the number one and the letter L and between the number zero and the letter O.  You will need to record your Student ID and the I-Clicker/keypad number found on the back of the keypad.  Your Student ID will identify your keypad as you use it in class, for tests, for posting grades and for Mastering Physics registration so you need to memorize it and keep it private.  Since you must have your Student ID before you can register for Mastering Physics you may start losing points for the Mastering Physics homework if you register your keypad too late. top of page



Mastering Physics (MP) is the homework grading system.  Your new book came with a MP package (no extra cost to you).  If you have a used book you need to buy the Mastering Physics package from the bookstore or you can go on line with a credit card and buy it.  To buy access online, go to www.masteringphysics.com  then click on the title of your textbook. Then click Buy Now and follow instructions.  

Whether your MP package came with the text or whether you bought access from the bookstore or online, everyone must register on line and complete the first MP assignment and start becoming familiar with MP before class on Wednesday. 

You should also start working on the assignment due Wednesday morning.   There will be no grade for these first 2 assignments.  (In the course there will be some homework that will be assigned that will not be graded.  The ungraded homework is just as important as the graded homework.  Material from the ungraded homework is just as likely and maybe more likely to show up on tests.)  You can register simply by following the instructions available online at www.masteringphysics.com.  

Important notes for registering:  The UNM Zip code is 87131.  Our Course ID is MPGOLD94207.  Your  Student Access Code is a six-"word" printed code supplied beneath the pull-tab inside your Mastering Physics Student Access Kit.  It is valid for registering one student. If the tab in this kit has been pulled back, the code may no longer be valid.  If you buy a secondhand textbook, any code supplied with it is probably not valid.  In either case, you can purchase a Student Access Code online using a credit card or you can go to the bookstore and buy a mastering physics package.  If you need help then click on the ? icon.  There are more detailed Mastering Physics registration instructions at http://panda.unm.edu/Courses/StudentHelp/index.htmltop of page