Is Homework the Key to Success in Physics III?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of homework weight on success in a Physics III course, specifically examining the implications of a 50% homework grade on overall performance and exam difficulty. Participants explore the relationship between homework completion and exam performance, as well as the structure of the grading system.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express optimism about achieving high grades through homework, suggesting that engaging with forum discussions could lead to success.
  • Others question the fairness of a grading system that heavily weights homework, speculating that it may lead to a challenging curve on exams.
  • Concerns are raised about the difficulty of the homework problems and whether the exams will reflect similar complexity, with some participants assuming that exams might focus more on conceptual questions.
  • One participant warns about the disconnect between homework performance and exam success, noting that having ample time and resources for homework does not guarantee similar performance under exam conditions.
  • Another participant shares personal experiences of excelling in exams despite lower homework averages, questioning the rationale behind the heavy homework weighting and inquiring about group work policies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the implications of the homework weight. While some are confident in their ability to perform well, others highlight potential challenges and uncertainties related to exam performance and grading fairness.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about exam difficulty and the nature of homework problems, but these assumptions remain unresolved and depend on the instructor's specific policies.

Eric_meyers
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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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