PHYS 102 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Getting Started
Welcome to Physics 102! For those of you who took Physics 101 here at the University of Illinois, you will find that this class has a very similar structure. Whether you are new to our course structure or coming back after Physics 101, please review this information carefully to make sure you get off to a solid start.
Physics 102 has three main in-person components: lecture, discussion, and lab. For the best experience for you and your peers, please come to all parts of the class prepared and on time. Here are some things you will need to do before you come to different parts of the class:
Overview
Preparing for the first lecture
- First prelecture & checkpoint assignments
- Find your room
- Start working on iclicker setup
Preparing for the first discussion
- Bring a device
- Find your room
- Arrange access to an IOLab device
- Checking the schedule: Prelabs vs. in-person labs
- Find your room
Contacting Prof. Ansell and other course staff
What to do if you join the class after the first day
Lecture
Prelectures, Checkpoints, and smartPhysics
This class is taught in a “flipped” format, meaning that you will have short assignments that are due at 8am the morning of each lecture. You will need to log in to smartPhysics and complete Prelecture 1 and Checkpoint 1 before you go to the first lecture. Both assignments are graded on participation, not correctness.
Coming to class
- Lecture will be held in 151 Loomis. [Interactive Map of Loomis Laboratory of Physics]
- You will answer poll questions during class for participation credit and extra credit. Starting in Lecture 2, please bring your iclicker or a device with an iclicker cloud subscription to submit your answers.
- Prior to attending Lecture 2, follow these instructions to set up your account at iclicker.com. Note that you must register on the website whether you are using a physical iclicker or the app; If you are using the physical iclicker you do not need to pay for a subscription.
Discussion
In discussion you will take individual participation-based quizzes, then work with a small group to answer questions.
- Find your classroom location using the Section Information link.
- You will need to bring a device (a tablet or laptop) to take your quiz and work on problem sets.
Laboratory
Physics 102 has prelabs every week (whether or not there is a lab meeting that week) that will prepare you for the in-person lab meetings or help you check-in on your progress.
In your weekly lab section you will work in groups to design and understand experiments and experimental data, using your IOLab device.
Your first PreLab is due in smartPhysics in Week 1.
Your first in-person lab will meet in Week 3.
Getting an IOLab device
You will need to purchase, rent, or arrange to share an IOLab device so that it is available by the time your class meets for Lab 1. Ordering details can be found on the required materials list. If your laptop does not have a USB-A port you will need to find an appropriate adapter.
Coming to class:
- All lab sections are held on the 4th floor of the Campus Instructional Facility. [Campus Instructional Facility Map]
- You will need to bring a laptop or tablet to assist with data collection and collaborate on your group's lab reports.
Disability-related accommodations
If you have a DRES letter for disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids, we are happy to work with you and highly recommend that you take advantage of these accommodations. To do so, you must contact the following people via email with a copy of your letter and a summary of the accommodations you need:
- The course director
- The Physics department undergraduate courses office (undergrad@physics.illinois.edu)
- [If your accommodations are related to test duration] the CBTF (link)
- [If your accommodations are related to quiz duration] the discussion coordinator and your discussion TA
- [If your accommodations are related to class attendance and participation] the lab and discussion coordinators and TAs
If you are concerned you have a disability-related condition that is impacting your academic progress, you can talk with someone at the Counseling Center, McKinley Mental Health, or DRES about how to see a provider in order to obtain a diagnosis or get your questions answered. To contact DRES, you may visit 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign, call 333-1970, e-mail disability@illinois.edu or go to the DRES website.
Religious Observances
We offer excused absences to students in cases that their religious observances impact attendance in Physics 102 (e.g., for students who observe Eid). Please plan ahead by filling out a Religious Observance Absence Letter Request to obtain a letter from the Office of the Dean of Students. It is recommended that you fill out this form as early in the semester as possible. This letter can be used in our excused absence form to request EX grades.
Who to contact and how
For questions related to overall course content and administration or the lecture, Prof. Ansell can be contacted via email.
For questions related to the discussion, please reach out to your discussion TA, whose information can be found in the my.physics gradebook.
For questions related to the quiz or a larger-scale issue with discussion, please reach out to the discussion coordinator.
For questions related to the labs, please reach out to your lab TA or the lab coordinator.
Registering After the First Day of Classes
If you registered after the first day of classes but before the 10th day of classes, you will not be penalized for assignments or class activities that happened before you were registered. Feel free to reach out to our instructional team for assistance.
It can take up to 24 hours for a new student's registration to appear on our roster. Once you are on our roster, you will receive an automated email from your instructor welcoming you to Physics 102 and giving you more information. After receiving the email, you can expect the following:
- You will be able to access the password-protected materials on the Schedule page.
- You will automatically get access to the my.physics gradebook, the DEMO period of smartPhysics (our homework system), and all Lecture Recordings.
- You will automatically receive extensions on any assignments in smartPhysics that were due before you joined the course.
- You will be given 100% participation credit in any lectures that occurred before you joined the course.
You will need to do the following:
- Within two weeks of joining the course, request excused absences using the Excused Absence Application for any discussion or lab meetings you missed.
- Review the course materials you missed. Most course materials are available in smartPhysics and in links on the Schedule page.
- Follow all the "Getting Started" instructions on this page to be prepared for the different parts of the class.
Please feel free to schedule a meeting with Prof. Ansell or reach out to your TAs for assistance getting up to speed in the course.