1. Welcome to UK

2. About myself Research interests: Superconductivity
New electronic materials
Tunneling spectroscopy
Scanning tunneling microscope (STM)
Cryogenics, ultra low temperature
Kwok–Wai Ng
(吳國威 or 吴国威)
Experimental condensed matter physics
Contact information
Office: CP175 Lab: CP54 Phone:
Personal information
I came from Hong Kong. I graduated from Iowa State University with a Ph.D. in solid state physics in After two years of postdoc at University of Texas at Austin, I came to UK on August 16, 1988.

3. Why I am here?
I am the Director of Undergraduate Studies of the department. We want to provide the highest quality education to our students (both majors and non-majors). You are the TAs of many of our undergraduate courses. We need to work together to achieve the goal.

4. Undergraduate Courses Offered This Fall
AST Astronomy I
PHY Introduction to Physics
PHY Physics and Astronomy for Teachers
PHY General Physics I --- General and Upscale sections
PHY General Physics II
PHY General University Physics I
PHY General University Physics II
PHY General University Physics Lab I
PHY General University Physics Lab II

5. Undergraduate Courses Offered This Fall
PHY Data Analysis for Physicists
PHY 401G Special Topics for Teachers
PHY 402G Electronic Instrumentation and Measurement
PHY 404G Mechanics
PHY 416G Electricity and Magnetism
PHY Intermediate Physics Laboratory
PHY/RM 472G Interaction of Radiation with Matter

6. Where TAs will help PHY 151 Introduction to Physics
AST Astronomy I
PHY Physics and Astronomy for Teachers Inquirer
PHY General Physics I Recitation instructor or lab instructor
PHY General Physics I Special Upscale section
PHY General Physics II Recitation instructor or lab instructor
PHY General University Physics I Recitation instructor
PHY General University Physics II Recitation instructor
PHY General University Physics Lab I lab instructor
PHY General University Physics Lab II lab instructor

7. Teaching is Fun Knowing the students. Learn more by teaching.
To become a better communicator.
Learn to make every thought and explanation count.
Better organized in thinking and idea.
Rewarding if you can help others to understand.

8. The challenges Other responsibilities and activities.
To become a better communicator.
In pace with the lecturer.
A largely disinterested audience.
Many students skip class or come to class unprepared.
Students do not show sign even if they do not understand.
Do not know how well are the students doing (especially true for online homework).
Do not have enough time (especially true for PHY231 and 232 recitations).

9. Rule #1 Leadership – class discipline – speak with confidence
Remember:
The student body is different every semester. Teaching is a dynamic process.

10. Rule #2
Come to classroom 5 minutes earlier, finish the class on time.

11. Rule #3
Give feedback channel to students

12. Rule #4
Be sensitive and respectful.

13. Rule #5
Be fair. Return grader work promptly. Keep good record.

14. If you are TA of PHY160
You share the same teaching activities as the professor,
Learning physics by inquiry.
Small group discussion. Need special training.
Meet instructor weekly.

15. If you are recitation TA
In preparing the class, you have to do the problems yourself. Do not just read the solution manual or the solution from the instructor.
Do the problems no more than two or three days before class.

16. If you are laboratory TA
Do the experiment at least once by yourself. Pay attention to trouble shooting and places that can easily go wrong.
Class has to begin smoothly.

17. Undergraduate Course Structure
For course description, see the UK Registrar’s Bulletin Website:
You can also find course description of physics courses in the department website:

18. Freshman-level Astronomy Courses – AST191 and AST192
AST 191 THE SOLAR SYSTEM. (3)
A course emphasizing the nature, origin and evolution of planets, satellites and other objects in the Solar System. Topics also include historical astronomy, the naked eye phenomena of the sky, and modern solar system discoveries made by spacecraft. This course may be taken independently of AST 192.
AST 192 STARS, GALAXIES AND THE UNIVERSE. (3)
A course covering the universe outside the Solar System. A principle theme is the origin and evolution of stars, galaxies and the universe at large. Topics also include black holes, quasars and the big bang model of the universe. This course may be taken independently of AST 191. Prereq: Any AST or PHY course.
These are both large lecture classes without recitation and lab components.

19. Freshman-level Physics Courses: PHY120, PHY130, PHY151, PHY152
PHY 120 HOW THINGS WORK. (3)
The close relationship between physical science, technology and our everyday lives will be illuminated by examination of the technology we purchase and use and by observations of natural phenomena we can make using only the informed mind and eye.
PHY 130 PHYSICS Of ENERGY. (3)
Energy sources, such as fossil fuels; nuclear, solar and hydro electric power are discussed in the context of the basic laws of physics which govern their uses and limittions. Concepts covered include kinetic and potential energy, heat, radiation, and mass-energy equivalence. Credit is not given to students who already have credit for PHY 201, 211, or 231.
PHY 151 INTRODUCTlON TO PHYSICS. (3)
A lecture demonstration course covering the mechanics of solids, liquids, gases, heat. and sound. Credit is not given to students who already have credit for PHY 201, 211 or 23a1. Prereq: Two years of high school algebra or MA 108R
PHY 152 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS. (3)
A lecture demonstration course covering electricity, magnetism, optics, atomic and nuclear physics. Credit is not given to students who already have credit for PHY 203, 213 or 232. Prereq: Two years of high school algebra or MA 108R
PHY 120, 130, 151 and 152 are lecture classes without recitation and lab components..

20. Freshman-level Physics Courses: PHY160
PHY 160 PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS. (3)
Course sequence (GLY 160-PHY 160 six credit hours) in physical science for prospective elementary teachers. The sequence addresses basic concepts of earth science, astronomy and physics appropriate for elementary teachers and is taught with an emphasis on inquiry-based, laboratory activities. PHY 160 includes the basics of the motion of objects, astronomy by sight, electrical circuits, magnetism and the behavior of light. Lecture, one hour; laboratory, five hours per week.
This is a special course for teachers and involves almost exclusively laboratory and guided investigation work. PHY160 has no lectures.

21. Sophomore-level Algebra-based Physics Courses: PHY211 and PHY213
PHY 211 GENERAL PHYSICS. (5)
First part of a two-semester survey of classical and modern physics, focusing on the motion of solids and fluids as governed by Newton's Laws and by the conservation laws of energy, momentum, and angular momentum. Lecture, two hours; recitation, two hours; laboratory, two hours. Credit is not given to students who already have credit for PHY 231 and 241. Prereq: A working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry as obtainable in MA 109 and MA 112, or as demonstrated by an ACT math score of 25 or higher.
PHY 213 GENERAL PHYSICS. (5)
Continuation of PHY 211, covering electrostatics, de circuits, magnetism, Maxwell's Equations, electromagnetic radiation, light and some modern physics. Lecture, two hours; recitation, two hours; laboratory, two hours. Credit is not given to students who already have credit for PHY 232 and 242. Prereq: PHY 211 or equivalent.
Note that both PHY211 and PHY213 have laboratory, lecture and recitation. Students must take all three at the same time, allowing integration of the three components.

22. Sophomore-level Algebra-based Physics Courses: PHY211 and PHY213
Example class schedule:
In recitation, instructor works out examples and homework problems to demonstrate the physical principles the students learned from the lectures. M T W R F
Recitation
Lecture
Lab

23. Sophomore-level Calculus-based Physics Courses: PHY231, PHY241, PHY232 and PHY242
PHY 231 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS. (4)
First part of a two-semester survey of classical physics. Consequences of the principles of mechanics are developed conceptually, analytically and quantitatively. Lecture, three hours; recitation, one hour per week. Prereq or concur: MA 113.
PHY 241 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS LABORATORY. (1)
A laboratory course offering experiments in mechanics and heat, framed in a small group environment that requires coordination and team work in the development of a well-written lab report. Prereq or concur: PHY 231.
PHY 232 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS (4)
A general course covering electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves and physical optics. Lecture, three hours; recitation, one hour per week. Prereq: PHY 231; concur: MA 213.
PHY 242 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS LABORATORY. (1)
A laboratory course offering experiments in electricity, magnetism, and light, framed in a small group environment that requires coordination and team work in the development of a well written lab report. Prereq: PHY 241; concur: PHY 232.
In recitation, instructor works out examples and homework problems to demonstrate the physical principles the students learned from the lectures.

24. Sophomore-level Calculus-based Physics Courses: PHY228
PHY 228 OPTICS, RELATIVITY AND THERMAL PHYSICS. (3)
A lecture and problems course covering the principles of geometrical optics, special relativity, and thermal physics. Prereq or concur: MA 114.
PHY 228 is a lecture course for physics majors taken between 231/241 and 232/242.

25. Special courses for Teaching Assistants
PHY 570 SEMINAR ON TEACHING; PHYSICS. (1)
A seminar course for teaching assistants focused on developing the art and science of teaching physics. Journal articles, books and other texts will be studied to serve as sources of discussion about the teaching and learning activities in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Prereq: Consent of instructor.
PHY 571 SEMINAR ON TEACHING PHYSICS LABORATORIES. (1)
A seminar course for teaching assistants focused on developing the art and science of teaching physics laboratories. Journal articles, books and other texts will be studied to serve as sources of discussion about the teaching and learning activities in the laboratory classes in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Prereq: Consent of instructor.
ajors.

26. Recitation instructors: attention!
PHY211 and PHY213 (algebra-based physics) recitation classes meet one time (~1 hour) a week.
PHY231 and PHY232 (calculus-based physics) recitation classes meet one time (~1 hour) a week.
Many of you will also have resource room duty.

27. What should you do before your first class?
Note that many of you have recitation class before the first lecture!
Important to have contact with the lecturer to see what s/he wants you to do in the first class. Most instructors want you to do a quick math review (trigonometry and algebra) or give a short quiz in the first class.
Make up an office hour. My suggestion: one or two hours + appointment. If you make two office hours, make one on M/W and one on T/R.
Go get a textbook and instructor’s solution manual from the Physics main office. In case of on line homework, get an account according to instructor’s instruction – very likely you will find the textbook and solution there.
Learn how to operate (log on) the visual aids in the classroom/laboratory.

28. What should you do in your first class?
Introduce yourself: Name, office, phone number, address, and office hour.
Some instructors may want you to distribute the course syllabus.
Explain grading policy carefully – how the recitation / laboratory grades are calculated (following instruction from the lecturer) and how much it weight in the overall course grade.
Pass around an enrollment list for students to write down their names, address, signature, and any other information desired.
5. ……

29. If you need help
Go ask for it!