The department offers several general introductory sequences, as well as some nontechnical courses listed in the following section. Courses 01:750:271-272, 273 Honors Physics with 275-276 Classical Physics Laboratory are for honors students and well-prepared physics majors. It uses calculus as a pre- or corequisite. Courses 01:750:123-124, 227-228 Analytical Physics with 229-230 Analytical Physics Laboratory are for engineering students and physics majors. It uses calculus as a pre- or corequisite. Engineering students who need extra help or who have nontraditional backgrounds should ask the engineering dean`s office for permission to take 01:750: 115-116 Extended Analytical Physics instead of 01:750:123-124. There are three introductory sequences for majors in the biological sciences (including premedical curricula), computer science, chemistry, and other sciences, as well as for students who desire an elementary but thorough introduction to physics. All three cover basically the same material, but utilize different teaching techniques and require different levels of mathematical preparation. Courses 01:750:203-204 General Physics with 205-206 General Physics Laboratory require calculus as a pre- or corequisite, and use a lecture/recitation format. Courses 01:750:201-202 Extended General Physics are intended for students who need extra help or who have nontraditional backgrounds. Recitations are replaced by cooperative learning workshops, and a laboratory is integrated into the course. Courses 01:750:193-194 Physics for the Sciences use only algebra and trigonometry. Recitations are replaced by cooperative learning workshops, and a laboratory is integrated into the course. Course 01:750:161 Elements of Physics is a one-term noncalculus course intended primarily for pharmacy students, but also suitable for well-prepared liberal arts majors. Courses that are suitable for nonscientists, requiring only high-school algebra, include 01:750:109,110 Astronomy and Cosmology, 01:750:140 The Greenhouse Effect, and 01:750:296 Great Ideas That Shook Physics and the World.
Students who are unsure which sequence to take are urged to consult an adviser in the physics department. Credit cannot be given for courses taken in different sequences if they cover substantially similar topics. Students who wish to switch from one sequence to another are urged to consult a departmental adviser; students who change their major or who have advanced standing also are urged to consult a departmental adviser.
