We will be using the WebAssign national physics homework system during this course to do a significant portion of the required homework. This system works so that each student in the class does the same problems, but the answers for each student will be different since the computer randomizes the input numbers for the problems, differently for different students.

When you have finished entering the data to answer the various homework problems, click on the "Submit" button. The computer will then grade your problems, give a little chart indicating how many points you received for each assigned problem, and how many points were possible. As well it will re-display the assignment, with big red "X"s marked near the problems which it deems to be incorrect. [In general each part counts 1 point, although I may sometimes change this aspect, with differing points. If I have done this, it will display the number of points for each part.] You may then correct them, and re-Submit the problems. You are allowed a total of three chances to Submit, with the computer counting for your grade the last one you submit. The WebAssign program will show you the correct answers for the problems AFTER the time they are due. However, I also create complete solutions, which you may access from the homework-assignment webpage, usually on the day after they were due.

A good approach is to begin looking at the problems and questions as soon as they are available, to print out your own copy, and try them by hand first.
ALSO, note that the WebAssign problems are to be done individually, although you clearly may discuss them in advance with me, your TA, your friends and other students. Starting early will give you extra time to think about them, and to ask questions of me.

Note: All WebAssign(ments) will be due at 1 A.M., local time, during the early morning of the night after they are due. No access will be possible after that time. I urge you NOT to try to put them off until the last minute. I also note that it is possible that your "home" computer system's web connections may not be as efficient as the ones available from campus.

I will track the grades and monitor your progress.
Some of the problems will offer coaching assistance, to aid in your success.

To do all this efficiently, you should have a computer account. While you may acquire such an account, or several accounts, from any source you prefer, you may certainly obtain one through the university, which is free for any student at UNM.
Both WebAssign and I will sometimes contact you via email.
Since you use the InterNet to Submit the answers to the WebAssign problems, you also must have access to the worldwideweb. Again, you may choose any method you prefer to do this. However, it is available from various computer pods at the university, including the Engineering Computer Pod (just slightly north and east of Regener Hall) and Dane Smith Hall. The systems there are very reliable, and are unlikely to give you any problems, which may sometimes happen from systems you are subscribed to "at home." I urge that you try out several of these before any final due dates! I also urge that you logout of your browser after your final submission of answers; otherwise some one else may decide to use that computer next, and would have the possibility of changing your responses.

To use WebAssign, you must have a separate WebAssign UserName, PassWord, and a (Registration) Ticket, (which looks something like a "scratch" lottery ticket), with a Student Access Code on it. I will upload to WebAssign, for each of you, your name, UserName, Password, and email address; I will do this after the first class of the semester, and then add separately anyone who registers later. To determine the username and password that I have given you, you should use the algorithm I have created for this purpose, described below.
Your Student Access Code is on the small "ticket" that you obtain directly from me. Scratch the grey area in order to display it.

I created your username and password from the letters of your name---the official version of your name that the university puts in its records---and your UNM ID number, according to the following scheme:

For your user name, take the first 5 letters of your lastname, and then put the first 2 letters from your first name, and, finally your middle initial, for a total of 8 letters---all Lower Case. If your official name has no middle initial, you will need 3 letters from your first name, instead. If, on the other hand, you have fewer than 5 letters in your lastname, again, take more from your firstname. If your firstname is hyphenated, I treated it all as a firstname, rather than treating the second part of it as a middle name.

For your password, take the first 4 letters of your firstname, and then put the last 4 numbers from your UNM ID number; in case you have fewer than 4 letters in your firstname, use more from the ID number.

In case your name seems not to lend itself to this approach, I will have a list of all the actual usernames and passwords that I assigned, and you may ask me what I decided; however, for almost all names the above algorithm should work.

When you first log on, they will ask for your username, your university (which is unm [lower case]), and your password. You will then notice that there is an assignment where you are told to Register. You do this by inserting the Student Access Code number in the proper place; this proves to them that you have been properly accounted for in the system.
The first time you logon you will see the DEADLINE, for registration; you must complete this insertion of your Student Access Code BEFORE that deadline.

The online manual for WebAssign may be accessed at this URL.

If none of this works for you, or you do NOT have all of these things, please ask me after class, and/or inquire via e-mail to me.

If you were in the class last semester, your username and password will (probably) be the same as last semester; however, you will need to have a new Ticket, and to re-register with it!

If you have problems with any assignment, please contact me about it as soon as possible, and I will try to help you, me, and WebAssign resolve it. If you have questions about the content of the problems, do not ask WebAssign, but, rather, send email directly to my standard email address.