Premium
An Experiment in Integration: Calculus and Physics for Freshmen
Author(s) -
Hundhausen Joan R.,
Yeatts Richard
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of engineering education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.896
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 2168-9830
pISSN - 1069-4730
DOI - 10.1002/j.2168-9830.1995.tb00192.x
Subject(s) - curriculum , mathematics education , calculus (dental) , course (navigation) , computer science , engineering , psychology , pedagogy , medicine , aerospace engineering , dentistry
This paper describes an experimental course integrating calculus and physics for freshmen, conducted with partial support of an NSF Curriculum Development Grant. A primary goal of the Project was to provide a better foundation for higher‐level engineering/science courses by enabling students to transfer and apply fundamental knowledge; applications and mathematical modeling were emphasized. A weekly Laboratory/Workshop, which proved to be highly motivational for students, was featured. Having team‐ taught the course three years in succession, the authors have much to share regarding the actual implementation of the course and its special challenges, student preparation and receptivity, and choice of materials. Assessment data indicate that the performance and retention of participating students in the next Physics course were significantly improved, but long‐term effects are difficult to track and measure.