This new approach to the first-semester Non-Calculus Based Physics experience consists primarily of a web-based Lecture and what is called the Problems Lab .  This new set-up is the culmination of about six years of effort trying to find out what works best for the students in the non-calculus based introductory physics courses.  Many student and instructor  comments have been taken into account in developing and revising the current format.

The lecture course is accessed on the www.  Each lecture presents the basic definitions and corresponding discussion and examples in a format that is designed to be  user-friendly and flexible for the variety of student abilities found in any given class.  Each student can work on the lectures when their schedule permits, often from the comfort of their own home.  All students within a given lecture section will be taking the same exams during the scheduled lecture times (see the course schedule handed out in class for the specific test dates).  In addition, each scheduled lecture time (when an exam is not being administered) will be used to discuss concepts and examples from the upcoming lecture web pages and to answer students’ questions.

The Problems Lab has really two components to it: the spreadsheet problems and the hands-on activities.  All students will be working in groups of 3 or 4 students  within what is known as a cooperative-learning environment.  All problems worked out in this class, be they analytical or experimental, are discussed and solved in groups.  The  intent here is that each student will have the opportunity to understand how to solve homework- and test-type problems by means of group interactions — students explaining the physics to students.   When the student groups have difficulties working out some particular problem or understanding a given concept, then the instructor or assistant should be called over for consultation.

The navigation buttons at the upper-left of this page will take you to various pages with more detailed information about this pair of courses. Clicking on the Home button will take you back to the course home page.