This is the first semester of an introductory one-year college level algebra-based physics course, which covers basic principles of mechanics.

We cover

• kinematics (the description of observed motion),
• dynamics (the description of the causes of motion i.e. forces),
• energy and momentum (an alternative description of dynamics in terms of conserved quantities),
• thermodynamics (temperature, heat transfer),
• fluids,
• and waves.

We learn to solve simple quantitative problems that illustrate these physical principles.

We discuss how this framework explains some of the phenomena we observe in everyday life and in nature.

The laboratory serves to demonstrate the principles learned in lecture and to train the student in collecting and recording data, calculating and analyzing results, and writing a scientific report.

NUMBERS OF HOURS AND CREDITS
4 Credits total: 2 hours laboratory each week + 4 hours of lecture