PHYS 1101

General Physics I

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2020-2021.

PHYS 1101 and PHYS 1102 emphasize both quantitative and conceptual understanding of the topics and tools of introductory physics developed without the use of calculus. The courses offer individualized instruction. Students learn through completing assigned readings, problems, and laboratory exercises, and through individualized tutoring. Additionally, recorded lectures, overview sessions, short videos, sample tests, and online tutorials are provided. The course format provides flexibility, but in some ways is more demanding than a course with a traditional format. Success requires discipline and well-developed study habits. Students without high school physics should allow extra time. Evaluation includes an oral lab check, a selection of graded homework problems, and a written test for each unit; these must be completed within a flexible set of deadlines. Major topics for PHYS 1101: forces and equilibrium, kinematics, dynamics, momentum, energy, fluid mechanics, waves and sound, thermal physics, and thermodynamics. At the level of College Physics vol. 1, 4th ed., by Giambattista, Richardson, and Richardson.

When Offered Fall, Summer.

Permission Note Not open to: freshmen.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: three years of high school mathematics, including trigonometry.
Forbidden Overlaps Forbidden Overlap: due to an overlap in content, students will receive credit for only one course in the following group: EAS 1600, PHYS 1101, PHYS 1112, PHYS 1116, PHYS 2207.

Distribution Category (PBS-AS, PHS-AS)

Comments There are no scheduled lectures, discussion sections, labs, or prelim times. Instruction occurs via one-on-one tutoring in the learning center. General introductory physics often taken by students in disciplines such as Biology or Chemistry. Similar in content to PHYS 2207.  Summer Session: Eight-week, six-week, or first four weeks only for those doing PHYS 1102 in the second four weeks.

View Enrollment Information