121 Syllabus

First Summer Session 1999

PHY-121 is the first part of a three-semester sequence in introductory physics offered to engineering and other science and pre-professional majors. The prerequisite for PHY-121 is MAT-270. A working familiarity with basic differential and integral calculus will be assumed. PHY-121 covers the subject of Newtonian mechanics including kinematics (the description of motion), and dynamics (the relation of motion to force and mass). Among the most important topics are Newton's Laws of Motion and the conservation of momentum and energy. Other topics are rotational kinematics and dynamics, Newtonian gravitation, simple harmonic motion, and waves and interference. The textbook is Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Second Edition, by Fishbane, Gasiorowicz, and Thornton (Prentice Hall Publishers, 1996.)

There will be no formal assignments of computer work in this course; however, students who are so motivated are encouraged to use computers whenever possible. Introductory physics software packages are available at campus bookstores. Some students may want to do their own programming in BASIC, C, PASCAL, FORTRAN, etc. The Computer Commons is available to all students. Homework solutions involving computer work will be welcome.


Course Format and Policies
Homework and Lecture Schedule
Course Updates 6/21 Change to HW set for June 28
Answers to Even-Numbered Problems
Class Average final average now available
HOW TO FIGURE YOUR FINAL GRADE


TA's

Jim Corkins
Andy Korytko
Andy Vaught
Ken Egan