Re: [Phys-l] special ed/relativity

["LaMontagne, Bob" <RLAMONT@providence.edu>]

We do the same, and find it to be a good solution for our majors. What
we stuff into 2 semesters with the pre-meds, we cover in three semester
with our physics and engineering students. It's just very frustrating to
race through the pre-med and Bio major sections. The mathematics is not
a problem, they are prepared. The problem is that the departments we
service complain about the pace of the course, but they always cite the
MCATS when we attempt to drop a topic.

Bob at PC

> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
> bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of mrmeyer@mtu.edu
> Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 10:26 AM
> To: Forum for Physics Educators
> Subject: Re: [Phys-l] special ed/relativity
>
> At Michigan Tech, we've addressed this issue by teaching 2 different
> algebra-based courses - one for pre-meds, and one for students from
our
> school of Technology.  The latter group usually has more of the
> mathematical difficulties described here and doesn't need the
"full-boat"
> in terms of content--so we teach less content and take time to address
the
> math issues.
>
> We used to teach college physics every semester - now we teach the
pre-med
> version fall semester and the school of technology version spring
> semester.  We worked with the departments involved to make sure they
can
> get their students in on the right schedule.  Occassionally a students
> "has" to take the "wrong" course because they're out of sequence...but
> this works MUCH better for the vast majority of students.
>
> Mike Meyer
> Lecturer/Lab Coordinator
> MTU Physics Dept.
> mrmeyer@mtu.edu