Course Overview
Essentials of Physics
| Department |
PHYS |
| Number |
101 |
| CRN |
25698 |
| Credits |
4 |
| Date |
January 4-March 12, 2010 |
| Instructor(s) |
Greg Bothun
|
| Self-Support Fee |
$680 |
Syllabus and E-mail
Course Content
This course focuses on mechanics, a subject that is the foundation of all of physics. After a quick introduction to early natural philosophies, most of this course focuses on Newtonian mechanics and its manifestations. Newton's three laws of motion provide an early example of the changes in western thought embodied by The Enlightenment. Newton unified our understanding of 'heavenly' and 'earthly' forces while at the same time providing a framework within which natural phenomena could be understood. The first third of the course will be spent investigating the kinematic concepts of force, mass, acceleration, velocity and displacement and the relationships among these. The next third will deal with dynamical phenomena described in terms of momentum, work, and energy. The course concludes by discussing Newtonian gravitation and satellite and planetary motion, certainly the crowning achievement of Newton's work in this area. The course is primarily conceptual in nature, using only simple high school algebra to help illuminate the underlying physical phenomena. Simple numerical and conceptual problems will be assigned in homework sets, and use of a calculator will be helpful but not essential.
Distance Delivery Methods
This class will utilize a web site, online course readings, e-mail correspondence, and independent field trips. It is expected that students will complete the course within the term, as you would if this were a classroom course.
Tuition
This is a "self-support" course. The course fee is listed above. This fee is paid regardless of student residency status or total course load. This fee replaces regular tuition for the four-credit courses. For more information on tuition consult the Registrar's Office.
Course fees are subject to change at anytime.
Preauthorization Requirement
Please review the preauthorization information and procedures.
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