The Physics Department offers two sections of Physics 101. Both sections follow the same syllabus, take the same exams and participate in the same laboratory, but their instructional formats differ. Section 1 is taught in what might be termed the improved traditional style, consisting of lectures with substantial class involvement, lecture demonstrations, and weekly assignments. Students in Section 2 (enrollment limited to 12) attend the same three weekly lectures as those in Section 1, but also attend two additional sessions, which use an interactive and experimental format, involving discussion, group problem solving, activity-based learning and limited amounts of individually assigned problems and mini-lectures. We recommend that students consider this option if their preparation in physics and mathematics is not strong and/or if they might benefit from extra support and discussion time, and an exploration-based class format. We will offer advice to students regarding the appropriate section for them based on a questionnaire to be distributed in the first class meeting of both sections of 101, and will make final decisions on placement. Students may elect to switch in or out of this section with the approval of the instructor after the first week. Both sections of 101 will merge into a single section of the continuation course, Physics 102. Full details about the course can be found on the individual section pages, which are linked from this page.
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