A special section of the calculus-based introductory physics course (P221-P222) specifically for freshmen and those with a strong interest in physical sciences. This section is broken out from the main, large (~150 students) P221 section, and instead is comprised of ~20 students taught in a specially designed classroom equipped with a computer workstation for every two students. The course is structured to be highly interactive and it employs computers for simulations, numerical techniques, and real-time collection of data and data analysis. It stresses hands-on and collaborative learning. There is little distinction between lectures, discussions and labs and meeting times will typically cover a little of each. The bulk of the lab/project work will involve work outside of class times at the student's convenience.
This first semester of the two semester course will cover mechanics and thermodynamics (the second semester covers electromagnetism and optics).
Student evaluation will be from exams, homework, projects and presentations.
Past years
To get a better idea of the nature of the course, feel free to browse the excellent web pages of Prof. Alex Dzierba who taught the Honors section in past years.