David Fazzini

Wecome to the Fall 2025 semester! Click on your class below to access your class webpage:

The goal of this course is for students to enhance their view of the physical world by allowing them to acquire a basic understanding of the solar system using recentlyavailable astronomical data. Major topics include scale models, planetary properties, earth-sun relationships, lunar geology, terrestrial planets, jovian planets, natural satellites and ring systems, asteriods, comets, meteoriods, meteors, meteorites, interplanetary space probes, and formation theories.

This course will focus on conceptual understanding rather than mathematical manipulation. However, as mathematics is the language of science, it is expected that you can perform basic algebraic calculations and recognize basic geometric relations throughout the course.

Class Notes

Welcome to Astronomy 1122

Please continue to monitor this space for important information and course and updates.

This page will be updated on a regular basis.

  • I am not teaching this course this semester.

Class Resources

  • Detailed Class Information (Syllabus)
  • Summary of Rules for Significant Digits in Calculations (with examples)
  • MasteringAstronomy Homework Assignments
  • Study Guide for Exam I
  • The Great American Eclipse of 2017

The goal of this course is for students to enhance their view of the physical world by allowing them to acquire a basic understanding of modern astronomy using recently available astronomical data.  Major topics include constellations, the Sun, stellar types, motions, parallax, magnitudes, luminosity, spectra, classifications, clusters, evolution, quasaurs, nebula, galaxy classification and composition, the Big Band, and cosmology.

This course will focus on conceptual understanding rather than mathematical manipulation. However, as mathematics is the language of science, it is expected that you can perform basic algebraic calculations and recognize basic geometric relations throughout the course.

Class Notices

Welcome to Astronomy 1124 (Spring 2024)

Please continue to monitor this space for important information and course and updates.  This page will be updated on a regular basis. (Last Update: May 17th, 2024.)

  • Course averages (Quiz / Lab / HW, etc.) are available in Blackboard.
  • Final grades were posted in Blackboard at 11:30 AM on Friday, May 17th.
  • Special note about final grades: The grade that you received is the grade that you earned as per the syllabus.  It is possible that the grade that you earned is different from the grade that you wanted, the grade that YOU thought you deserved, the grade that you needed so that you wouldn't get in trouble, etc.  Do not contact me asking for a grade change unless you can provide definitive mathematical proof that I made an error in calculating the grade that you earned (as per the syllabus).  The semester is over, so do not contact me asking for special considerations, extra credit projects, etc. as I will not respond kindly to such requests.
  • Have a GREAT summer break!  Be safe and stay healthy!  Good luck in your future studies!  Keep looking up!

Class Resources

Major Celestial Events during the Spring 2024 Semester

The goal of this course is for students to enhance their view of the physical world by allowing them to acquire a basic understanding of the physical concepts involved with motion and forces, momentum and energy, rotation, gravitation, properties of matter, heat and thermodynamics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, light, and atomic/nuclear physics.

This course will focus on conceptual understanding rather than mathematical manipulation. However, as mathematics is the language of science, it is expected that you can perform basic algebraic calculations and recognize basic geometric relations throughout the course.

Class Announcements

Welcome to Physics 1100-001 & -002 (Fall 2025)

Please continue to monitor this space for important information and course updates.  This page will be updated on a regular basis.  (Last update: December 10th, 2025.)  This page is currently under construction.

  • Lecture notes are being made available.  Scroll down to the "Lecture Notes" section and click on the desired topic.
  • Thursday Lab Group (Section 002): Your last laboratory session will take place on Thursday, December 11th, in BIC-3F03 starting promptly at 9:00 AM.  Your entire Investigation #13 Optics packet (pp. 223-236) will be due at the start (9:00 AM) of the session.  Also, be sure to print the lab materials for Investigation #14: Atomic & Nuclear Physics and complete the Pre-lab. The Pre-lab #14 will also be due at the start of your laboratory session on Thursday.
  • Thursday Lab Group (Section 002): Be sure to read Chapter 32 for your lab session.  Be prepared to "celebrate" Chapter 32 with an Information Festival at the start of your lab session on Thursday.
  • The MyOpenMath Homework 14: Light Waves and Photons will now be due on Friday, December 12th by 8:30 AM.  Note that there are two parts to the homework: 1) the multiple-choice Conceptual Questions, and 2) the numeric Exercises/Problems.  After the cut-off time has elapsed, you will no longer be able to make changes to the Conceptual Questions for credit.  However, you can still get 50% credit for completing any part of any numeric exercise/problem within 24 after the original cut-off time.
  • Special Open Lab Study Session for Both Lab Groups: Our lab (BIC-3F03) will be open from 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon on Friday, December 12th for anyone who wishes to stop by to review MyOpenMath homework, lab homework, ask questions, etc.
  • The MyOpenMath Homework 15: Atomic & Nuclear Physics will be due on Monday, December 15th by 8:30 AM.  Note that there are two parts to the homework: 1) the multiple-choice Conceptual Questions, and 2) the numeric Exercises/Problems.  After the cut-off time has elapsed, you will no longer be able to make changes to the Conceptual Questions for credit.  However, you can still get 50% credit for completing any part of any numeric exercise/problem within 24 after the original cut-off time.
  • The Final Exam is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, December 17th in our regular classroom (BIC-3535) starting promptly at 9:00 AM and ending promptly at 10:50 AM.  The exam will cover all the material presented in the course (Chapters 1-34).  You will be provided an formula sheet containing constants, conversions, equations, and a Periodic Table of Elements.  Scroll down to the "Exam Resources" section below to access a sample copy.
  • A Study Guide for the Final Exam is available.  Scroll down to the "Exam Resources" section below to access.
  • Both Lab Groups (Section 001 & Section 002): Your entire Investigation #14 Atomic & Nuclear Physics packet (pp. 239-255) will be due at the start (9:00 AM) of the final exam on Wednesday, December 17th.  However, if you wish your packet to be returned to you immediately after the Final Exam, be sure to submit your lab packet to my office (slide under my door if necessary) no later the 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, December 16th.  Otherwise, I will have a bin of "unclaimed" items that will in my office suite where you can pick up your graded materials.  (This bin will be available until 12:00 Noon on Friday, December 19th after which any unclaimed materials will be recycled.)

Class Resources

Lab Resources

Rules for Graphs (Click here to access an overview of how to and how NOT to make your graphs.)

Investigation #13: Optics

Pre-lab 13 Due at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 2nd at 9:00 AM (Sec. 001) or Thursday, December 4th (Sec. 002).

Lab 13 Activities

Section 001: Needed at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 2nd and due at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 9th.

Section 002: Needed at 9:00 AM on Thursday, December 4th and due at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 11th.

Lab 13 Homework

Due at 9:00 AM Tuesday, December 9th at 9:00 AM (Sec. 001) or Thursday, December 11th (Sec. 002).

Investigation #14: Atomic & Nuclear Physics

Pre-lab 14 Due at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 9th at 9:00 AM (Sec. 001) or Thursday, December 11th (Sec. 002).

Lab 14 Activities

Section 001: Needed at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 9th and due at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, December 17th.

Section 002: Needed at 9:00 AM on Thursday, December 11th and due at 9:00 AM on Thursday, December 17th.

Lab 13 Homework

Due at 9:00 AM Wednesday, December 17th at 9:00 AM (Sec. 001 & Sec. 002).

Lecture Notes

Exam Resources

Study Guide for Exam 1

Sample Formula Sheet for Exam 1

Study Guide for Exam 2

Sample Equation Sheet for Exam 2

Study Guide for Final Exam

Sample Formula Sheet for Final Exam

General Resources

Physics of the Modern Era: From Quarks to Cosmos

The goal of this course is for students to enhance their view of the physical world by allowing them to acquire a basic understanding of the physical concepts involved with special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, elementary particles and cosmology.  Classical foundations of kinematics, dynamics, conservation laws, and wave properties will be presented.

This course will focus on conceptual understanding rather than mathematical manipulation. However, as mathematics is the language of science, it is expected that you can perform basic algebraic calculations and recognize basic geometric relations throughout the course.

Class Announcements

Welcome to Physics 1180 (Spring 2025)

Please continue to monitor this space for important information and course and updates. This page will be updated on a regular basis. (Last update: May 24th, 2025.)

  • Course averages (Quiz / Lab / HW, etc.) are available in Blackboard.
  • Final grades were submitted to the Records Office at 8:00 AM on Saturday, May 24th.
  • Special note about final grades: The grade that you received is the grade that you earned as per the syllabus.  It is possible that the grade that you earned is different from the grade that you wanted, the grade that YOU thought you deserved, the grade that you needed so that you wouldn't get in trouble, etc.  Do not contact me asking for a grade change unless you can provide definitive mathematical proof that I made an error in calculating the grade that you earned (as per the syllabus).  The semester is over, so do not contact me asking for special considerations, extra credit projects, etc. as I will not respond kindly to such requests.
  • Have a GREAT Summer Break!  Be safe and stay healthy!  Good luck in your future studies!

Class Resources

General Resources

Physics for Scientists and Engineers I

The goal of this course is for students to develop a basic understanding of the physical concepts involved in classical linear and rotational kinematics and dynamics including work, energy, impulse, momentum, collisions, periodic and wave motion, and universal gravitation. A significant emphasis will be placed on the basic concepts involved. Calculations and calculus will be used as a tool to study and learn these concepts.

Class Notices

Welcome to Physics 2111 (Summer 2025)

Please continue to monitor this space for important information and course and updates. This page will be updated on a regular basis.  Last update: July 3rd, 2025.) 

  • Overall course averages (Quiz / Lab / HW, etc.) are available in Blackboard.
  • Final grades were posted to Blackboard at 6:30 PM on Thursday, July 3rd.
  • Special note about final grades: The grade that you received is the grade that you earned as per the syllabus.  It is possible that the grade that you earned is different from the grade that you wanted, the grade that YOU thought you deserved, the grade that you needed so that you wouldn't get in trouble, etc.  Do not contact me asking for a grade change unless you can provide definitive mathematical proof that I made an error in calculating the grade that you earned (as per the syllabus).  The semester is over, so do not contact me asking for special considerations, extra credit projects, etc. as I will not respond kindly to such requests.
  • Have a GREAT summer break!  Happy holidays!  Be safe and stay healthy!  Good luck in your future studies!

Class Resources:

General Resources:

Physics 2112 - Physics for Engineers and Scientists II

The goal of this course is for students to develop a basic understanding of the physical concepts involved in electrical and magnetic fields, basic electrical circuits, along with geometrical and physical optics. A significant emphasis will be placed on the basic concepts involved. Calculations and calculus will be used as tools to study and learn these concepts.

Class Announcements

Welcome to Physics 2112 (Fall 2025)

Be sure to monitor this space for important information and course updates.  This page is currently under construction.  Please be patient.  This page will be updated regularly.   (Last Update: December 9th, 2025.)

  • Your last lecture will take place on Thursday, December 11th, in BIC-3H06 starting promptly at 12:00 Noon.  Be sure to read the content of Sections 4.5-4.6 of Openstax... Volume 3 (or the relevant material from any calculus-based textbook you choose) in preparation for class on Wednesday.
  • Lecture notes for select topics are being made available.  Scroll down to the "Lecture Notes" section and click on the desired topic.
  • Quiz #11 will take place on Thursday, December 11th, starting promptly at 12:00 Noon.  The quiz will cover physical optics: interference and diffraction.  The quiz will take 20 minutes.
  • The ExpertTA Homework 24: Interferecnce of Light Waves will be due on Tuesday, December 9th, at 11:59 PM.  Note that you can still get 50% credit for any part of any problem that you correctly complete within 24 hours after the cut-off time.
  • The ExpertTA Homework 25: Interference & Diffraction will be due on Friday, December 12th, at 11:59 PM.  Note that you can still get 50% credit for any part of any problem that you correctly complete within 24 hours after the cut-off time.
  • Check out the Optics Bench Simulators listed under the "Geometrical Optics" heading of the Lecture Notes below.  Play with the simulations.  Use them to help clarify raytracing rules.
  • Your last laboratory packet: Interference & Diffraction will be due by at the Final Exam: Monday, December 15th.
  • The Final Exam will take place on Monday, December 15th in BIC-3F03. Official time is 12:00 Noon to 1:50 PM.  The Final Exam will cover the entire semester (August 25th-December 11th).  You will be provided an formula sheet containing constants, conversions, equations, etc.  Scroll down the the "Exam Resources" section below to access a sample copy.
  • Practice UIUC exams are available.  Scroll down to the "Exam Resources" section below to access.

Class Resources:

Lab Resources for Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025:

Optics Pre-lab (Due Tuesday, December 2nd at 1:00 PM)

Optics Lab Activities (Needed Tuesday, December 2nd & Due Tuesday, Decemebr 9th at 1:00 PM)

Optics lab Homework (Due Tuesday, Decemebr 9th at 1:00 PM)

Lab Resources for Tuesday, December 9th, 2025:

Physical Optics Pre-lab (Due Tuesday, December 9th at 1:00 PM)

Exam Resources:

Lecture Notes:

General Resources:

Physics for Scientists and Engineers III

The goal of this course is for students to develop a basic understanding of the physical concepts involved in fluids, thermodynamics, special relativity, introductory quantum mechanics, nuclear physics and particle physics. A significant emphasis will be placed on the basic concepts involved. Calculations and calculus will be used as a tool to study and learn these concepts.

Class Announcements

Welcome to Physics 2115 (Spring 2025)

Please continue to monitor this space for important information and course and updates. This page will be updated on a regular basis.  (Last update: May 23rd, 2025.) 

  • Course averages (Quiz / Lab / HW, etc.) are available in Blackboard.
  • Final grades were submitted to the Records Officeat 7:30 AM on Friday, May 23rd.
  • Special note about final grades: The grade that you received is the grade that you earned as per the syllabus.  It is possible that the grade that you earned is different from the grade that you wanted, the grade that YOU thought you deserved, the grade that you needed so that you wouldn't get in trouble, etc.  Do not contact me asking for a grade change unless you can provide definitive mathematical proof that I made an error in calculating the grade that you earned (as per the syllabus).  The semester is over, so do not contact me asking for special considerations, extra credit projects, etc. as I will not respond kindly to such requests.
  • Have a GREAT Summer Break!  Be safe and stay healthy!  Good luck in your future studies!

Class Resources:

General Resources: