Theoretical Mechanics, Fall 2026/27
BMETEEFBsFEMEC-00
Lecture
Lecturer: Dániel Varjas
Location: F31SEM
Directions: first floor seminar room of the Theoretical Physics department, building F staircase III. 1st floor (you enter at the basement level!) through the white bars opposite the stairs, then right
Time: Monday mornings
- Short quiz: 10:15–10:25
- Lecture: 10:30–12:00
Tutorial
Tutor: Márk Kondákor (email: kondakor.mark@edu.bme.hu)
Location: E305c
Time: On Wednesdays, 10:15-11:45 except Nov. 18 (TDK day)
Problem sheets
At each class, two problem sheets will be handed out through Teams (see the Files channel).
Class materials: The problems presented in the class. They are published at latest two days before the class.
Homeworks: These problem sheets contain the homework tasks for short tests and additional tasks for practice.
Reading material
Notes
English lecture notes based on a translation of the Tamás Keszthelyi and Török-Orosz-Unger notes is available in the Course Materials folder, the lectures follow these notes closely, even though the notation may differ at points.
Textbook
Bannerman Kibble and Frank Berkshire: Classical Mechanics (Imperial College Press)
For deeper understanding:
L.D. Landau, E.M. Lifshitz: Course of Theoretical Physics, Vol. I: Mechanics (Typotex Publishing)
Additional material (in Hungarian)
Keszthelyi Tamás notes
Török_Orosz_Unger notes
Entry questions (English translation in the Course Materials folder)
Exam topics (English translation in the Course Materials folder)
Course requirements
Conditions for signature
In order to receive a signature, students must attend tutorials, score at least 50% at the tutorial mini tests, and pass both midterms, for details see below.
Attendance
To receive a signature for the course, students must attend at least 70% (9 out of 13) of the tutorial classes. Attendance is recorded each occasion.
Short tests
At the start of the lectures and tutorials there will be a short test. The short tests cannot be retaken.
At the beginning of each lecture, there will be a 10-minute quiz based on the material from the previous lecture. Achieving more than 60% exempts the student from the exam entry question. The score of the lecture mini tests determines the possible offered grade (see below).
Starting from the 3rd tutorial occasion, at the beginning of every second tutorial, short tests check the progress and the preparation of students. The short test consists of one task selected from the homework assignments of the previous two sessions. Short tests last 10 min, between 10:15 and 10:25. To receive a signature, students must achieve at least 50% on the tutorial short tests (in total). Apart from this, the result of the tutorial short tests does not affect the final grade for the course.
Midterm tests
During the semester, students must complete two problem-solving mid-term tests based on the tutorial material. To not fail (1), students must achieve at least 40% on both tests separately. The dates of the mid-terms are:
Midterm 1: November 06, 10:15-11:45, room TBA
Midterm 1 retake: November 20, 14:15-15:45, room TBA
Midterm 2: December 04, 10:15-11:45, room TBA
Midterm 2 retake: December 11, 10:15-11:45, room TBA
Midterm retake retake 1 & 2: December 16, time and room TBA
If a student takes a retake test, the new result fully replaces the corresponding midterm score. Only students who have failed the midterms and the first retakes during the lecture period are eligible for a second retake, which will be held on the week of retakes. The exact date will be announced later.
Grading
The course grade is determined by a weighted average of the two midterms and the final exam: 30% each for the midterms and 40% for the exam. Grades are calculated according to the following scale:
Excellent (5): ≥85%,
Good (4): 85%- 70%,
Satisfactory (3): 70% - 55%,
Pass (2): 55% - 40%,
Fail (1): 40%>. (One must achieve at least 40% on each midterm and the exam individually!)
Offered grade
In order to receive an offered grade one must satisfy all of the following:
Receive a signature
Score at least 60% on the lecture mini tests
Score at least 60% on the two tutorial midterms combined
In this case, the offered grade is calculated using the method above, but with the 40% corresponding to the final exam score replaced by the lecture short test score. Only 3 and 4 grades are offered, in order to receive a 5, one must take the final exam.
Written final exam
Starting the exam requires answering correctly one entry question chosen from a published list. Those who scored above 60% on the lecture mini test are exempt. The exam consists of theoretical questions and simple practical problems.
Oral final exam
Students who fail the written exam, or wish to improve their grade, may retake it orally. After correctly answering the entry question, the student will be assigned two topics. If their knowledge of either topic is insufficient, the overall grade will be fail (1). The oral exam performance is converted to a score according to the grading table above, and only replaces the 40% corresponding to the final exam score in the final grade.
Exams
Written Exam: TBA (first week of January)
Oral exam 1: TBA
Oral exam 2: TBA
Consultations
Consultations will only be held upon request. Questions can be addressed to the tutor and lecturer before or after the classes, or via email.
- Teacher: Márk Kondákor
- Teacher: Dániel Varjas