The University of Massachusetts Amherst

Overview of project

Why Physics 131 Algebra-Based Introductory Physics I?

The first reason is that P131 serves a large segment of the student population at UMass. Over the two semesters in an average year, more than 1000 students pass through the course. Perhaps more importantly, however, P131 and the subsequent P132 are the only two physics courses that many of these students will ever take and most students do not enter the course with a positive impression of the discipline of physics. Thus, these two courses must critically be well thought-out and effective. We think that the Team-Based-Learning (TBL) environment is the best way to both make the most of this limited time and to positively change our students’ attitudes towards physics.

1. What does P131 cover?

2. How is P131 structured?

2.1 At the Beginning of the Semester – Team Construction

2.2 Before a Unit Begins

2.3 On the First Day of a Unit

2.4 On Subsequent Days of a Unit