Physics 404
Solid State

Spring 2008

14 April 2008

Meeting: DLR 1  MWF 10:30 - 11:20 AM (at the moment)        
Text:  Elementary Solid State Physics by M. Ali Omar
           [this is the 1993 revised printing, published by Academic Press.]
           Solid Sate Physics by J. S. Blakemore
           [this is the updated 2nd edition, published by Cambridge University Press.]
View the grade spreadsheet [requires acrobat reader--].
    Double check the recorded scores.
Course Policies                        Notes (incomplete)

Assignment Assigned What Due
0.5 14 January Read Sections 1.1, 1.9, 1.100, 1.2-1.7 
Omar 		 
1 16 January Chapter One:  Problems 1-6 21 January
2 21 January Chapter One: Problems 7, 9, 10, 11, 14 25 January
2.5 25 January Read Sections 2.1-2.4, 2.6, 2.7  
3 28 January Chapter Two: Questions 10, 11
Chapter Two: Problems 1, 2		 1 February
4 6 February Chapter Two:  Problems 18, 19, 20 11 February
4.5 11 February Read Sections 3.1 - 3.9  
5 13 February Chapter Three:  Question 1
Chapter Three:  Problems 1, 2		 18 February
Exam One   Chapters One & Two 20 February
6 3 March Chapter Three: Question 7
Chapter Three: Problems 5, 6, 7, 8, 9a, 10, 14, 15 		14 March
6.5 14 March Read Sections 4.1 - 4.3, 4.6  
7 17 March Chapter Four: Problems 1, 6, 7, 9 26 March
7.5 26 March Read Sections 5.1 - 5.8, 5.10 - 5.17  
8 28 March Chapter Five: Question 2
Chapter Five: Problems 1, 2, 4, 12, 17a		 4 April
Exam Two   Chapters Three & Four  9 April
8.5 14 April Read Sections 6.1 - 6.7
Sections 7.1 - 7.4		  
9 14 April Chapter Six:  Problems 2, 3, 5, 8, 9  21 April
10 21 April Chapter Seven:  2, 4 28 April
       
Final Exam      May
 AM

Physics 404

Spring 2008

MEETING: Rm. 1 DeLaRoche, MWF 10:30 - 11:20 AM (at the moment)
TEXT:   Solid Sate Physics by J. S. Blakemore
               [this is the updated 2nd edition, published by the Cambridge University Press.]
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. J. Kiefer
OFFICE: 21 DLR
OFFICE HOURS: tba or by appointment or walking in

Web Page: WebCT or use the "Courses with Pages" link on the Physics departmental homepage.

Solid State Physics concerns the properties of crystalline solids.  In a crystal, the atoms or molecules are arranged in periodic patterns.  In Physics 404, those crystalline patterns will be surveyed, followed by consideration of some of the distinctive properties of crystals.  Those will include electrical conductivity, semi-conductivity, specific heat, and lattice vibrations.  

The work required of you in this course has three components: problem assignments, period examinations, and a final examination. Each problem assignment will have a due date. An assignment submitted after its due date will be assessed a 25% penalty. The solutions to each problem assignment will be available at some time after its due date. Assignments will not be accepted after the solutions are posted. The period examinations will be given during certain class periods, and will include problems and brief-discussion questions. At the end of the semester, there will be a comprehensive final examination, similar in format to the period examinations. The purpose of these examinations is to provide you opportunities to demonstrate your mastery of the concepts of Solid State Physics.

If an examination is missed for reasons of illness or an emergency, it may be made up in a special exam session to be scheduled later. However, an exam may be made up only if arrangement is made with the instructor in a timely manner—within a week of the end of the illness or emergency.

The course grade will be based on:

a) homework assignments (30%)
b) period examinations (50%)
c) comprehensive final examination (20%)

Letter grades are assigned according to the following scheme:

90% . . . .

A

87.76% .

A-

83.33%. .

B+

80% . . . .

B

76.67%. .

B-

73.33%. .

C+

70% . . . .

C

66.67%. .

C-

63.33%. .

D+

60% . . . .

D

56.67%. .

D-

<56.67%. .

F

 

Do not hesitate to ask questions in class or to come to the instructor's office. Do not spend hours puzzling over a homework problem. Discuss it with a colleague or the course instructor or another faculty member.

Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding the University Policy on Academic Honesty.

Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Disability Support Services Office, Doyle room 26, at 375-2065 as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.