Re: Intro Physics Sequence

[Vic Decarlo <vdecarlo@DEPAUW.EDU>]

Have you thought about using Tom Moore's "Six Ideas That Shaped
Physics" for your intro physics sequence?  We adopted his course
this year and, so far, are pretty happy with it.  Lots more emphasis
on conceptual understanding and problem-solving strategies than
other texts.  Also, the use of calculus is delayed until about 6 weeks
into the semester, giving students a chance to pick it up first in their
math course.
    I think a course structured around Lightman's book would be good
for humanities students.  But here at DePauw our standard intro course
serves mainly pre-med students, and I can't imagine them taking the
two-semester sequence AND the kind of course you're talking about.
They just don't have the time.

Vic DeCarlo
DePauw University

Tim Folkerts wrote:

> In our department we are tossing around the idea of revamping our intro
> sequence and I thought I'd see what all you "experts" out there thought -
> perhaps some of you already have the proposed plan.  (We're a 5000 student,
> 5 faculty midwestern state university, graduating ~4/yr in physics and
> transferring ~6/yr in 3/2 or 2/2 pre-engineering.)
>
> Currently we have a fairly traditional Phys I/II freshman year concurrent
> with Calc I/II.  The second year we cover modern physics in a semester and
> then move on to the upper level electives.
>
> The alternative is to delay Phys I until spring semester.  Instead, we
> would have a 2-3 hr course on the "Great Ideas of Physics" using something
> like Alan Lightman's book.  This would be supplemented by a 1-2 hr "Intro
> to Engineering" course (already on the books).
>
> Perceived Advantages:
> *improved calculus skill when entering physics class
> * building a conceptual framework for later courses.
> * broading the intro to engineering course (currently pushed only toward
> define pre-engineers and taught in the evening)
> * students outside physics could take the "Great Ideas" course, where they
> would never take Phys I
>
> Perceived Problems:
> * Tougher to complete 2/2 transfer requirements in just two years.
> * Upper level electives more bunched at the end
> * What to drop to keep the total hours about the same
> * faculty time to redo the schedule/shuffle paper/ etc.
>
> Comments?  Suggestions? Improvements?
>
> Tim Folkerts
> Fort Hays State University
> Hays, KS