Physics 120 and 121 constitute a two-semester algebra-based, introductory physics sequence. This sequence is available for science majors and non-science-majors. Students in this sequence will develop an understanding of the central theories and concepts of physics, including motion, forces, momentum, energy, waves and sound (in 120); and electricity, magnetism, circuits, optics and modern physics (in 121). Students will explore these concepts in both idealized, abstract situations and in everyday phenomena and will learn how they are described by physicists, using the language of mathematics (lots of algebra and trigonometry).
Controlled experiments are an essential part of science and will be an important part of this course sequence. Thus, these courses include weekly lab sessions. The labs are designed to develop skills of observation and analysis, whether students are testing a known theory or developing a relationship between several variables. Remember: "All truth comes from experiment." - Al Overhauser, Purdue Univ.