Re: Physics Test and Integration

["RAUBER, JOEL" <JOEL_RAUBER@SDSTATE.EDU>]

I do all three of the possibilities that Tina mentions; and occasionally I
ask one that is too hard!  I try to avoid that of course, but . . .

It depends on what your calculus classes are like at your institution.  For
us they have 3rd semester calculus as a corequisite for the E&M semester.
But our students actually see some elementary integrals in calculus I (say
simple polynomials).  This may be changing as our calculus sequence was
three semesters for 5,4,3 credit hours  (calculus one being 5 credit hours)
This system worked well for us as calculus I is a prerequisite for Physics I
(calculus based).


However, our board of regents in the infinite wisdom have mandated that all
schools in the system have common course, numbering, and credit hours.  This
is forcing our math department to go to a 4,4,4 credit hour scheme for the
three semester calculus sequence.  This will make life marginally more
difficult for us in the physic class.  I rather liked the somewhat unusual
scheme our math department had been using.  But the one size fits all
philosophy is unfortunately winning.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Matthew E. Briggs [mailto:meb@PHYSICS.WISC.EDU]
> Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2002 8:48 AM
> To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
> Subject: Re: Physics Test and Integration
>
>
> Dear Tina,
>   Assuming Calc 2 is at least a co-requisite, I recommend
> expecting them to be able to handle integrals that you cover in
> class or appear on their homework...you might want to say you
> expect this.
>
> Regards,
> Matt
>
> Received Thu, 31 Jan 2002 from Tina Fanetti:
>
> > Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 08:15:13 -0600
> > From: Tina Fanetti <FanettT@QUEST.WITCC.CC.IA.US>
> > Reply-To: "phys-l@lists.nau.edu: Forum for Physics Educators"
> >     <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
> > To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
> > Subject: Physics Test and Integration
> >
> > Hi all
> > I was wondering.  I am teaching calc-based intro physics.
> Most of th=
> > e students are in Calc 2.  So they don't know much
> integration beside=
> > s the basics.
> >
> > When you give them tests in electricity and magnetism, how
> do you han=
> > dle the integration?  Do you give them the integrals they
> need, do yo=
> > u "fix" the problems so the integration is basic or do you
> just tell =
> > them to work the problem down to the integral and leave it
> in integra=
> > l form.
> >
> > I am worried that 1) they will panic, 2) they will miss a
> method and =
> > make the integral harder, 3) I'll screw up and give them a
> harder pro=
> > blem that requires more integration than they know...
> >
> > I was curious as to how other handle this.=20
> >
> > Clear Skies
> > Tina
> >
> > Tina Fanetti
> > Physics Instructor
> > Western Iowa Technical Community College
> > 4647 Stone Ave
> > Sioux City IA 51102
> > 712-274-8733 ext 1429
>
> --
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> Matthew E. Briggs, Faculty Assoc., Physics Department
> Rm 3502 Sterling Hall, (608) 265-3304, fax (608) 263-0800
> meb@physics.wisc.edu
> Address:
> Physics Department, 1150 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706
> ---------------------------------------------------------