Phy 101: The Day After Tomorrow: Global Climate and Extreme Weather

This freshman seminar course takes learning to the Extreme!  Students become planetary experts on an extreme phenomenon (such as oceans) and explore the most extreme examples in our Solar System.   Then groups composed of three “experts” propose to a mock NASA panel where the next “extreme” planetary mission should go.  Students also investigate their own “every-day” scientific ideas with Science Portfolios. 

Laboratories associated with the physics course for pre-med students.  We use the Real Time Physics curriculum with rapid computer data acquisition so that students spend more time THINKING about physics rather than collecting data.

Link to January Term Courses for Non-Science Majors

Phy 105 Lab: Physics I (Algebra-Based)

Phy 106 Lab: Physics II (Algebra-Based)  

At the beginning of the semester, we watch the bad Hollywood blockbuster “The Day After Tomorrow”.  Students make a list of questions about climate change and extreme weather from the movie, and I design the course around those questions.  Students also explore their own scientific ideas with Science Portfolios.

C/I 100: The Most Extreme Places in Our Solar System

Freshman students make a pitch for the next planetary spacecraft mission to a mock NASA panel (upper-level physics students) as part of the C/I 100 course on The Most Extreme Places in Our Solar System.