Re: Aims of a Freshamn Physics Course

["Richard L. Bowman" <rbowman@bridgewater.edu>]

On Tue, 9 Apr 1996, Greg Townsend wrote:

> I am trying to formulate some goals for my Freshman Elementary Classical
> Physics class that I teach here at the University of Akron, and I came up
> with
>         A basic knowledge of the concepts of physics.
>         The ability to apply these concepts to concrete situations.
>         An understanding of the mathematical expression of these
>         concepts.
>         An ability to solve numerical problems.
>         A familiarity with the great names of physics & their contribution.
>
> Is this list reasonable ?  Does someone have any different goals ?

These do not look out of line.  But my personal preference would be to 
elaborate a bit on what you mean by "A basic knowledge of the concepts of 
physics."  How about the following?

   A basic knowledge of the concepts of physics relating to: motion, 
   forces, energy, and the atomic nature of matter.

Also, I always try to include a statement relating to what science is and 
is not.  For example, might this be a good addition?

   An appreciation for the character, effectiveness and limitations of 
   scientific inquiry.

   An understanding of the concept of measuring and associated uncertainties
   as related to the scientific goal of building mathematical models that 
   describe the behavior of the physical universe.

Richard Bowman
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Dr. Richard L. Bowman
Dept. of Physics                         e-mail:  rbowman@bridgewater.edu
Bridgewater College                                  phone:  540-828-5441
Bridgewater, VA  22812                                 FAX:  540-828-5479
  "http://www.bridgewater.edu/departments/physics/physics.html";
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