Course Format
This course will be taught in a bit of a non-traditional manner, guided by the following evidence-based principles highlighted by the CWSEI here at UBC:
●	People understand concepts better by seeing them in action, actively thinking about them, and discussing them with others, rather than by simply hearing them explained.
●	Understanding physics (and solving problems that test that understanding) is a learned skill (just as athletics and music are). It takes time, effort, and practice.
●	Students learn most when they take the responsibility for what is learned.

A typical class will involve lecture and discussions (both class-wide and sub-groups), both of important concepts and of specific example problems in which you (as a student) need to be an active participant. For all of us to get the most out of the class, it is VERY important that you complete the assigned readings prior to class.

As an aside, most students who are unfamiliar with this learning format initially do not like the change from lecture-based format. However, time and time again students overwhelming prefer it by the end of the course.

Breakdown of marks
Homework assignments (~1/week)	25%
Clickers and pre-readings		12.5%
Group work and participation		12.5%
Midterm				15%
Final					35%

Homework
The assigned homework will specify whether you are to work on the problems individually or in collaboration with others. In the case that you are working with others, please list on the top of your homework who you collaborated with.

Solutions will always be provided for all homework problems. It is up to you to ensure that you have grasped the concepts being tested, etc. (see last bullet point above).

Clicker questions
We will very often rely upon the benefits of peer instruction by using clickers to answer questions in class. This will us to highlight key concepts, identify misconceptions, and spark deeper thinking and learning through discussion.

You are expected to bring your clicker to every class. Some clicker questions will be marked only for participation, some only for correctness, and some as a combination of the two. This will be made clear in advance. Also, all clicker scores will be scaled to 90%, to compensate for sick days or occasions on which you forgot to bring your clicker. In other words, you only need to answer 90% of the clicker questions to receive full credit.

Reading preparation
As mentioned, this course will be run in a format that is NOT a strictly traditional lecture based format. The success of this approach critically depends on you as students to complete the assigned reading prior to each class. Otherwise, the in-class activities and discussions will neither be productive nor efficient.

All of the pre-readings will be accessed through VISTA. These readings and the associated questions must be completed before the start of the next class in order for you to receive credit.

Group Activities/Participation
We will also be running a number of group activities throughout the term (again, taking advantage of the benefits of peer instruction). Note that these group activities are distinct from the collaborative homework assignments.

For these group activities, you will be marked on your participation in class-wide and group discussions/solutions of problems and concepts. At the end of class your will submit any work completed (on paper); this work, along with your vocal participation, will be marked on a 0 (no paper/absence) 1 (minor effort) and 2 (good effort) scale. Written work will be returned the next lecture. As was the case with the clicker questions, this mark will also be scaled so that 90% gets full credit.