Is Homework the Key to Success in Physics III?

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The discussion centers around the newly released syllabus for a Physics III class, where homework constitutes 50% of the overall grade. Participants express optimism about achieving high grades through forum assistance for homework questions. However, concerns arise regarding the remaining 50% of the grade, which includes two tests worth 10% each and a final exam worth 30%. The difficulty of the homework, which is crafted by the instructor, raises questions about the potential challenge of the exams. There is skepticism about whether students can perform well on timed tests, given that homework allows for more time and resources. The conversation also touches on the implications of heavy homework weighting on grading curves and the effectiveness of group work policies in this context.
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So the syllabus has just been released for my Physics III class, and homework is being assigned a weight of 50% of my course grade.

So, pretty much by just coming here to these forums for my homework questions - I can reasonably expect to get an A in my class. wow.
 
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Eric_meyers said:
So the syllabus has just been released for my Physics III class, and homework is being assigned a weight of 50% of my course grade.

So, pretty much by just coming here to these forums for my homework questions - I can reasonably expect to get an A in my class. wow.

What is the breakdown for the remaining 50%?

50% homework does look great, however it means it will probably be a low curve class and impossible midterms and finals to compensate.
 
Eric_meyers said:
So the syllabus has just been released for my Physics III class, and homework is being assigned a weight of 50% of my course grade.

So, pretty much by just coming here to these forums for my homework questions - I can reasonably expect to get an A in my class. wow.

I assume you'll need to display extensive mathematical steps because many academic problems have worked-out solutions easy to find on the web.
 
Flat said:
What is the breakdown for the remaining 50%?

50% homework does look great, however it means it will probably be a low curve class and impossible midterms and finals to compensate.

2 tests each worth 10% and 30% final.

He writes his own homework problems and they're incredibly hard, I hope his exams aren't too too tough because for the midterms we'll be taking them in class and our class is only 50 minutes long.

So I assume the exams will be watered down math questions or just concept questions because not even a PhD can do say a coupled spring system calculation in less than 20 minutes.
 
You have to beware of a common student affliction: "I can do the homework; I just can't do the test." (This is related to another one: "I understand the material, but I just can't do the problems.") Being able to work a problem with virtually unlimited time and access to people who can help doesn't always translate into being able to work a problem quickly on your own.

Eric_meyers said:
not even a PhD can do say a coupled spring system calculation in less than 20 minutes.

Don't be so sure of that.
 
Something like this would be the death of me! Last physics class I took I averaged about 84% in homework and something like 105% on the exams, lol.

Interesting for him to weight homework so heavily though, I wonder what his policy is on group work?
 
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