IMPORTANT NOTE:

Physics and Astronomy majors (or potential majors) should note that this course cannot be used to satisfy
their program credit requirements, but can be taken as one of their free (i.e. unrestricted) electives.

COURSE REQUIREMENT:

This course does  not require any university-level science background. In fact, it is suitable for students with no prior formal (university-level) exposure to physics or astronomy. And, the emphasis will be on conveying the current scientific understanding in a qualitative conceptual manner. However, while the course will largely eschew advanced mathematics, three or four of the lectures may invoke Grade 11-level mathematics to better clarify ideas like time dilation and space contraction.

As a cross-listed course, the requirements and expectations for PHYS 303 and RCS 303 are somewhat different:

Students enrolled in PHYS 303 are expected to be conversant with and able to manipulate algebraic equations involving at the most squares and square roots. PHYS 303 who require assistance or even a memory jog are encouraged to visit the Physics Aid Service offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Click on the link for information about the room and schedule information.

Students enrolled in RCS 303 will not be expected to reproduce these calculations and in detail, will be evaluated differently than PHYS 303 students. For instance, RCS students will have an option of submitting an essay at the end of the term in lieu of sitting the final exam

Finally, note that this course IS a third year course and formally, enrolled students are expected to have a third year standing. This means that class will be managed as an upper level class. There will be assigned readings - some of which will be used to launch classroom discussions and others are there to help clarify discussed during the lectures. The lectures are not intended to review the assigned readings and often, will present a parallel but different way of thinking about the topics of interest.

INSTRUCTOR:        Prof. Arif Babul

        CONTACT INFO:     babul@uvic.ca
 

OFFICE HOURS:     Contact me by email to set up an appointment

 

MARKING ASST:     TO BE CONFIRMED

          CONTACT INFO:     TO BE CONFIRMED

 

LECTURE SCHEDULE:     Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, 1:30-2:20pm in hybrid mode

                  In-Person Lectures:                  MacLaurin Building, Room D287

                  Synchronous Online Lectures: ZOOM LINK

 

                  LECTURE FORMAT:    

  FIRST WEEK:       Wednesday, Friday (in-person)

 

  REST OF SEPT:     Tuesday, Wednesday (in-person); Friday (online)
 

  ALL OF OCT:         Tuesday, Wednesday (in-person); Friday (online)

 

  ALL OF NOV:         Tuesday, Wednesday (in-person) and Friday (TBD)

 

  DECEMBER:         Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (in-person)





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