Instructor Insights

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Instructor Insights

I decided to include a lot of demos during my lectures because I believe that to learn physics you have to know how to convert everything into mathematics, (…) make predictions, and, finally, compare predictions to experimental data. Demonstrations (…) show that the mathematics we cover in class (relate) to what nature does in physical systems.

— Yen-Jie Lee

Below, Professor Yen-Jie Lee describes various aspects of how he teaches 8.03 Physics III: Vibrations and Waves.

 

Curriculum Information

Prerequisites

18.02 Multivariable Calculus
and 8.02 Electricity and Magnetism

Requirements Satisfied

GIR General Institute Requirements

8.03 may be applied toward a Bachelor of Science in Physics.

Offered

Every fall and spring semester

The Classroom

  • Tiered lecture seats facing three sets of sliding chalkboards. A large window on the left wall.

    Room 1 of 2 Click for next classroom.

    Lecture

    Lectures were held in a classroom with tiered seating, sliding chalkboards, an AV system, and an assisted listening device.

  • 4 rows of white tables and black chairs facing a 2 sets of sliding chalkboards. A window on the left wall.

    Click for previous classroom. Room 2 of 2

    Recitation

    Recitations were held in smaller classrooms with moveable tables and chairs, sliding chalkboards, and AV systems.

 

Assessment

The students' grades were based on the following activities:

The color used on the preceding chart which represents the percentage of the total grade contributed by problem sets. 25% Problem sets
The color used on the preceding chart which represents the percentage of the total grade contributed by exam 1. 20% Exam 1
The color used on the preceding chart which represents the percentage of the total grade contributed by exam 2. 20% Exam 2

Student Information

71 students took this course when it was offered in Fall 2016.

Breakdown by Year

Mostly sophomores

Breakdown by Major

Mostly physics majors

Typical Student Background

Some students had backgrounds in advanced mathematics.

 

 

How Student Time Was Spent

During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:

In Class

3 hours per week
  • Met 2 times per week for 1.5 hours per session; 27 sessions total.
  • Class sessions included lectures, demonstrations, and time to ask the professor questions.
 

Recitation

2 hours per week
  • Met 2 times per week for 1 hour per session; 28 sessions total.
  • Smaller groups of students met with class staff to work through problem sets and to ask questions about the course material.
 

Out of Class

7 hours per week
  • Outside of class, students worked on problem sets and prepared for exams.
 

Semester Breakdown

WEEK M T W Th F
1 No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled No session scheduled.
2 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due No session scheduled.
3 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled No classes throughout MIT.
4 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due No session scheduled.
5 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due No session scheduled.
6 No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. Recitation scheduled Exam scheduled No session scheduled.
7 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled No session scheduled.
8 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled No session scheduled.
9 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due No session scheduled.
10 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due No classes throughout MIT.
11 Recitation scheduled Exam scheduled Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled No session scheduled.
12 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled Recitation scheduled No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT.
13 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled No session scheduled.
14 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled and problem set due No session scheduled.
15 Recitation scheduled Class session scheduled Recitation scheduled Exam scheduled No classes throughout MIT.
16 No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT.
Displays the color and pattern used on the preceding table to indicate dates when classes are not held at MIT. No classes throughout MIT
Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when recitations are held. Recitation
Displays the symbol used on the preceding table to indicate dates when problem sets are due. Problem set due date
Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when no class session is scheduled. No class session scheduled
Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when class sessions are held. Class session
Displays the symbol used on the preceding table to indicate dates when exams are held. Exam
 

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