PHYS 1101 - General Physics I

(PBS)

Fall, summer. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Forbidden Overlap: Students may receive credit for only one course in the following group: PHYS 1101, PHYS 1112, PHYS 1116, PHYS 2207.
Prerequisite: three years high school mathematics, including trigonometry. Enrollment may be limited, and freshmen are excluded. General introductory physics often taken by students in disciplines such as Biology or Chemistry (also see PHYS 2207.) Summer Session: Eight-week, six-week, or first four weeks only for those doing PHYS 1102 in the second four weeks.

A. Giambattista.

The course offers individualized instruction: there are no required lectures or scheduled labs, rather students learn through completing assigned readings, problems and laboratory exercises. This format provides flexibility, but in some ways is more demanding. Succeeding requires self-discipline and well-developed study habits. Students without high school physics do succeed, but should allow extra time for PHYS 1101. Most instruction occurs via one-on-one tutoring in the learning center, open Mon-Fri afternoons, Mon-Thurs evenings and Sundays. Additionally, videotaped lectures, sample tests, overview sessions, and on-line tutorials are provided. Evaluation includes 7 oral notebook checks and 8 written tests, each of which must be completed by set deadlines. PHYS 1101 and PHYS 1102 emphasize quantitative and conceptual understanding of the topics and tools of introductory physics developed without use of calculus. Major topics for PHYS 1101: kinematics, forces and dynamics, momentum, energy, fluid mechanics, waves and sound, thermal physics, kinetic theory, and thermodynamics. At the level of College Physics vol. 1, fourth ed., by Giambattista, Richardson, and Richardson.