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General Physics I (PHYS 1301 - Introductory General Physics I) covers elementary principles of mechanics as described by the UH catalog. Please see your adviser and catalog for details regarding prerequisites and credit. Resource links above are detailed below. This course is required for many science majors and pre-health students. Based on our Earning an A Guide, this is a Category IV course.
what you need
Below or a list of items you will need for lecture. These items can be bought on campus. However, you may find these cheaper on sites like Amazon.
textbook (link)
Mastering Physics (Link)
Lectures will follow those given by the syllabus and provided textbook. Note, Mastering Physics (link) may also be required, see syllabus
CALCULATOR (LINK)
A scientific calculator is needed for homework and exams. Only non-programmable, non-graphing calculators will be permitted.
what to expect
General Physics I gives a you an introduction to algebra based physics. The focus will be on calculations. You will be expected to know have a solid grasp on algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and word problem solving. Your knowledge will be assessed through an diagnostic exam of approximately 20 questions. This exam will be taken during the first weeks of class and taken at CASA testing center.
exams and homework
Exams and homework will make up the majority of your grade, but certain professors may also have quizzes and/or attendance (see syllabus). Exams will be timed and computer based. These make a significant percentage of your overall grade. Based on past semesters, there are usually 3 midterms. Around 2 weeks before each exam, you will be able to register when to take your exam, usually between 3 different days.
At your scheduled time, you will check-in and take your exam at a centralized location. Remember to bring identification, pencil/pen and an accepted calculator. Periodic table and scratch paper will be provided. Any other items (e.g., backpack) will be checked-in. When you complete your exam, you will check-out and your items will be returned to you.
The final exam is comprehensive with similar questions as the midterm exams. However, they will be administered in a class with scantron. Usually you are able to drop you lowest midterm exam score and replace it with your final exam score. This may change from semester to semester (check syllabus).
Homework (see syllabus) is completed online. This is usually through some third-party where you login and have a set amount attempts to answer a question. Each incorrect attempt will usually take a percentage off of the maximum score. There is usually one homework due every week.
resources
Earning an A (General)
Learn how we earned A’s in college. Here, you will find a general guide of the steps we took that put us in the best position to succeed.
Concepts
Concepts covered in PHYS 1301 broken into units and topics. All topics are linked to video resources that we found especially good at explaining the material.
exams
Mock exams for general physics. These exams have been designed to be similar to those administered using past exams readily found online. They are NOT actual exams.