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Syllabus:

Grading: Homework 35%, Two in-class tests 32%, Final 2 hour Exam: 33%

Thresholds: 90%=A, 85%=A-, 80%=B+, 75%= B, 70%=B-, 66%=C+, 63%=C, (and the badlands 60%=C-, 56%=D+, 53%=D, 50%=D-).

Textbook is required: Classical Mechanics by Goldstein/Poole/Safko (GPS 3rd edition, updated, see the errata) based on chapters 1,2,3,4,6,8,9,10,11 and, if time, some other bits. Recommended: I'll also be drawing occasionally from "Classical Mechanics of Particles and Systems" 5th Edition by Thornton/Marion. There are a number of older textbooks in the library, catalogued as 'Mechanics' or 'Dynamics'. These are still very useful!

Curriculum in brief: "Vector and tensor methods, motion of rigid bodies, vibration, coupled circuits, Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations, principle of least action".

"Student learning outcomes": acquire intermediate knowledge of classical mechanics, develop your 'applied' mathematical skills, particularly vector calculus, linear algebra and differential calculus. Using those skills, be able to tackle challenging classical mechanics problems.

There will be weekly. Mostly based on the textbook Exercises (solving additional textbook exercises that are not assigned = good). CM employs a range of mathematical skills and the best way to learn these skills is by yourself through practice. Expect several hours of homework a week. I suggest that you compare notes at the end with a friend (no plagiarism, including the www, as I have to report it!). In an answer I expect to see full working's, without (obvious) lines skipped to make sure that I see that you understand the physics. Homework is due at 5.30pm (start of class) on the day due. Homework will be docked 50% if submitted before 12pm the following day, 0% after that.

In-class tests: There will be two mid-term tests most likely on the 16th Oct/15th Nov. Tests will be open book (GPS only), open notes*, mostly covering the material of the previous 5-6 weeks, and will be approx. 60 mins long.
Final exam: Last day of exam period: Saturday 15th December, 10.30am-12.30pm also in P-149. open book (GPS only), open notes*, will cover the lot.
Open notes = my lecture notes + your annotations.