PHYS 2100 Introduction to Physics I (Calculus)
PHYS2050 is the laboratory course to supplement the lecture course material. First semester of a two-semester calculus-based introduction to physics primarily for biology majors and premedical students. The development and application of classical physical principles are covered, and students are introduced to more advanced mathematical techniques to extend these applications. Emphasis is placed on problem-solving to better understand the implications of these principles, as well as to develop analytical skills. Topics include classical mechanics, including Newton's laws, energy, rotational motion, hydrostatics and fluid dynamics, oscillations, waves, and gravitation.
Course overview
- Department
- Physics
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 4
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Periodically in the Summer
Catalog details
Requirements fulfilled
- Applied Physics B.S.: Introductory Physics I and II (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Physics B.S.: Introductory Physics I and II (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Mathematics B.S.: Natural science, computer science, or economics corequisites (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Biochemistry B.S.: PHYS2100 Physics I (calculus) and PHYS2050 Laboratory (5 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Biology B.S.: Quantitative corequisite options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Chemistry B.S.: Two semesters of physics lecture and laboratory (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- University Core: Natural Science (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 3.21 / 5 · Good
- Instructor rating
- 3.42 / 5 · Good
- Terms evaluated
- 9
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | G M Dinuka Gallaba | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 174 of 191 |
| Fall 2025 | Mohamed Al Begaowe | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4–6 hrs/week | 32 of 34 |
| Fall 2025 | Taichi Murakami | 3.3 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4–6 hrs/week | 42 of 47 |
| Summer 2025 | Alexander Auner | 4.0 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 7–9 hrs/week | 16 of 22 |
| Fall 2024 | G M Dinuka Gallaba | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 194 of 227 |
| Summer 2024 | Alexander Auner | 3.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 10+ hrs/week | 9 of 10 |
| Fall 2023 | Alexander Lafleur | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 49 of 56 |
| Fall 2023 | G M Dinuka Gallaba | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 157 of 194 |
| Fall 2023 | Michael Sanchez | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 of 44 |
| Fall 2023 | Shrinkhala Sharma | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 of 42 |
| Summer 2023 | Jan Engelbrecht | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 of 16 |
| Fall 2022 | G M Dinuka Gallaba | 3.5 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4–6 hrs/week | 141 of 176 |
| Fall 2022 | Kaelyn Dauer | 3.4 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 1–3 hrs/week | 40 of 49 |
| Fall 2022 | Michael Sanchez | 2.7 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 33 of 40 |
| Summer 2022 | Jan Engelbrecht | 3.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 7–9 hrs/week | 1 of 9 |
| Summer 2022 | Linden Hayes | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | — | 1 of 3 |
| Fall 2021 | Faranak Bahrami | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 1–3 hrs/week | 16 of 38 |
| Fall 2021 | G M Dinuka Gallaba | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 124 of 186 |
Data freshness
Instructors
Sections
- Section 01
- Section 02
- Section 03
- Section 04
- Section 05
- Section 06
- Section 07
- Section 08
- Section 09
- Section 10
- Section 11
- Section 12
- Section 01
- Section 02