Re: major-nonmajor

[fred bucheit <fbucheit@HOTMAIL.COM>]

   That sounds like a very reasonable approach to the problem. At least it
recognizes that there is a problem, contrary to what some here suggest. I
suspect that it is a rare non-major who can take a calc based Physics class
in most colleges and survive. I believe it is unreasonable to place a
student in that situation. We need acountability on both sides of the isle.

Fred Bucheit   retired Physics teacher.

> I agree with most of what Michael has written here, except that I think we
> either have very different students, or a different approach to general
> physics.  Most upper level non-major (pre-med, comp sci mostly) students
> struggle in our algebra-based general physics and only math and physics
> majors ever take calculus-based.
>
> Then again, I don't consider these introductory level courses.  They are
> rigorous and challenging.  I've actually recently put pre-reqs on them of 4
> yrs HS math and ACT of 24 and HS physics, or the relevant intro level
> courses (pre-calc, intro physics).  Then, our intro level courses really
> are intro level and are equally open to all majors.
>
> Yes, that means that non-majors will be competing with majors in those
> courses, but only with those majors who have weak incoming skills or who
> haven't taken HS physics.  The others will skip right over the intro level
> courses.
>
>
> >I think a good HS graduate who is not a science major can take my
> >calculus-based introductory physics course along with the physics
> >majors.  Indeed, many have done so.
> >

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