Introductory physics courses

Physics 1301W-1302W: Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering
Physics 2303: Physics of Matter (for AEM, astrophysics, geophysics, physics)
Physics 2503: Modern Physics Principles (for materials science, math, electrical engineering)
Physics 1401V-1402V: Honors Physics I and II
Physics 2403H: Honors Physics III

The first two semesters explore physics in a familiar context: speeds small compared to the speed of light and distances large compared to the atomic scale. Specific topics include the description of the motion of objects and their interactions using forces and conservation ideas, a description of the collective motion of objects, including an introduction to rigid body motion, and a description of interactions using electric and magnetic fields. The third semester focuses on 20th-century physics, beginning with electromagnetic waves and optics and leading to an introduction to statistical and thermal physics and special relativity. This series prepares the student for a first course in quantum physics, Physics 2601.

Every week students attend three lectures in which they are introduced to the subject material, examples of physical phenomena, and application of physical principles. Students meet once per week in one-hour discussion sections (recitations), where they work in small groups to solidify their grasp of the subject matter and solve problems together. A two-hour laboratory, held once a week, offers hands-on experience in applying physics concepts to solve concrete problems. Each week an additional hour is reserved for taking quizzes.

The problem-solving skills taught in these courses are critical to your future academic success and to your career. The ability to find qualitative and quantitative solutions to verbally stated problems—and explain those solutions to others—is an invaluable asset. Former students often say that although they have forgotten many equations learned in these courses, they've remembered and used the ability to analyze a new situation and find quantitative answers that predict how nature will behave.