Here are some frequenctly asked, or anticipated, questions.

1. Griffin account

This account, for this very web site, is necessary for doing the reading quiz and discussing homework, etc. Different from the last year, you will not need any Mastering Physics account. The only account that you need to have for this course is the one here.

1.1. Do I need to create a password for my account?

No. It is not recommended for you to create a password. Instead, you are recommended to use a Google account (which you have automatically, if you have a ucsc.edu email account) for the login credential. Please follow the instruction at the login page (basically, just click the first button and follow the instruction).

1.2. Do I need to divulge my name in my user name?

No, you do not. Some of you may prefer to remain anonymous with a clever (but non-offensive, please) pseudonym. Having said this, the majority of students seem to have no problem with hinting the real name in the user name.

I ask to not use another person’s real name as your user name. Such impersonation feels quite strange, whether that is for a good reason or not.

A note on the privacy of your accounts can be found here.

1.3. Can I register with a private email address?

The answer here would be rather No than Yes. Here is what I mean. I, the instructor, need to know who you are, and so if you use a pseudonym and a private email address in such a way that I cannot identify who you are, then it is a problem for me. Please note that your email will remain undisclosed in this web site, and so using your ucsc.edu email address for creating an account here does not divulge your identity, if the anonymity is important for you. If you do prefer to use a private email address, along with a pseudonym, then you must notify me who you really are. Otherwise, your account may be disabled, recognized as a “spam” account.

2. Reading quiz

2.1. How often is the reading quiz?

Before every class but the first class.

2.2. What should I read?

Please check the syllabus for the course schedule. You should be reading the textbook steadily. Couple of days before class, I will post what the next class will cover, and what optional chapters you can skip reading, if pressed for time. This information will be posted on Calendar.

2.3. How do I do the reading quiz?

The format of our reading quiz is unlike any other. The software it uses is of the “StackExchange” type (or using the “reddit” type voting, I am told? I have no experience with reddit.) Here is a detailed explanation regarding how to do the quiz.

2.4. How do I learn from the reading quiz?

By participating truthfully. By design, doing the reading quiz is a very low stress event. However, if you take it not too seriously, you will not learn much. If you take it seriously and participate in it with dedication, you will learn as much as any more than excellent undergraduate student is expected to learn.