PC 142/162: Thermodynamics and Waves for the Life Sciences

Winter 2013
INSTRUCTOR: Alexei Kaltchenko
Office: N2077, Science Building
E-mail: akaltche@wlu.ca
WEB: www.wlu.ca/science/alexei

MIDTERM EXAM: Date: TBA. If the mid-term exam is not written due to a documented legitimate reason,
its weight is added to the final exam. If no legitimate document is presented to the instructor, then the mid-term
exam mark will be zero.
CLASS HOURS:

M, W, F

09:30-10:20 @ BA102

TEXTBOOK: College Physics, J. D. Wilson and A. J. Buffa, Prentice Hall, 7th Edition,
Chapters 9-14 and 22, 23, 25.
COURSE TOPICS: Solids (Youngs Modulus)
Fluid Statics and Fluid Dynamics (Pressure, Archimedes Principle, Bernoulli)
Temperature, Heat, Kinetic Theory of Gases
Thermodynamics (First and Second Laws)
Waves, Simple Harmonic Motion, Waves Properties
Sound, Intensities, Decibel System, Hearing, Doppler Effect
Geometrical Optics
Interaction of radiation with matter (if time permits)

FINAL GRADE DETERMINATION:

Assignments
20%
Laboratories
25%
Mid-term Exam
25%
Final Exam (comprehensive) 30%
Note: If the mid-term exam is not written due to a documented legitimate reason, its weight is added to the final
exam. If no legitimate document is presented to the instructor, then the mid-term exam mark will be zero.
LABORATORY EXERCISES: Physics, a natural science, is best understood when students observe its
principles in natural settings. Such investigation is at the very heart of the discipline and students in this course
are required to study these principles in a controlled environment the physics laboratory (lab, for short).
Students must pass the laboratory component (12.5/25) to pass the course.

GRADING: (one-week-rule). One week after material has been graded the grade is final.

Drop Dates 2012/2013:

September 16:
September 23:
November 5:
January 13:
January 20:
March 8:

final day to cancel Fall term and Fall/Winter session registration with no tuition charge (cancellation fee applies).
final day to drop 12-week and Fall/Winter course(s) or withdraw at 10% tuition charge
Final day to drop course(s) or withdraw from 12-week course(s) without failure and for possible tuition
adjustment (tuition charge assessed at 55% of course rate)
final day to cancel Winter term registration with no tuition charge (cancellation fee applies).
Final day to drop 12-week winter term course(s) or withdraw at 10 percent tuition charge (tuition charge
assessed at 10% of course rate)
Final day to drop course(s) or withdraw from two-term or 12-week winter term course(s) without failure and for
possible tuition adjustment (tuition charge assessed at 55% of course rate)

Examination Deferrals:
The Academic Date section of the Calendar (Printed and Web Site Versions) clearly states the examination date period for each
semester. Students must note that they are required to reserve this time in their personal calendars for the examinations.
The examination period for Fall is DECEMBER 6 - 19. The examination period for Winter is APRIL 11 - 30. Students who
are considering registering to write MCAT, LSAT or GMAT or a similar examination, should select a time for those examinations
that occurs outside the University examination period. For additional information that describes the special circumstances for
examination deferment, consult the University calendar.

Student Awareness of the Accessible Learning Centre:

Students with disabilities or special needs, are advised to contact Lauriers Accessible Learning Centre for information regarding its
services and resources. Students are encouraged to review the Calendar for information regarding all services available on
campus.

Academic and Research Misconduct:

Academic misconduct is an act by a student, or by students working on a team project, which may result in a false evaluation of the
student(s), or which represents a deliberate attempt to unfairly gain an academic advantage. Academic misconduct includes:
please refer to http://www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=2505&p=11452 .

Plagiarism Detection Software:

Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. Students may be
required to submit their written work in electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism.