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[Conceptual Physics, OpenStax College Physics, HyperPhysics]
Common Course ID: [PHY 120 - Physics for Future Leaders]
[CSU] Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait
Abstract: This open textbook is being utilized in a Physics course designed for primarily business and humanities undergraduate students by Nelson Coates and Frank Yip at California State University - Maritime. The open textbooks used provide a mathematical foundation for dimensional analysis and less mathematically rigorous treatment of topics such as radiation, climate change, and special relativity. The primary motivation for adopting open textbooks and resources for this course was to replace the previous textbook (Physics and Technology for Future Presidents, R. A. Muller) with a more modern and specific set of subject materials, with the added benefit of lower the materials cost for students taking this course. Most student accessed the free resources online in .pdf or .html formats.
COOLforED is a service of the California State University-MERLOT program.
Partial funding provided by the State of California, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation,
and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Questions? Email cool4ed@cdl.edu
Textbook Titles: [Crowell - Conceptual Physics, OpenStax College Physics Vol. 1, HyperPhysics]
Descriptions:
Conceptual Physics: An introductory college level textbook primarily used for introducing Newtons laws and conservation laws, with additional excerpts on waves.
OpenStax College Physics, Vol. 1: An introductory college level textbook primarily used for introducing units and dimensional analysis, as well as excerpts on waves.
HyperPhysics: A web-based environment for exploring concepts in physics through a network hyperlinked concept maps. Primarily used for introducing concepts in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics.
Authors:
Conceptual Physics: Benjamin Crowell, Fullerton College
OpenStax College Physics, Vol. 1: Senior authors, Paul Urone, CSU Sacramento, and Roger Hinrichs, SUNY College at Oswego.
HyperPhysics: Carl Nave, Georgia State University
Formats: Formats available for these resources include .pdf, .html, ePub, print copies, and DVD.
Cost savings: Cost savings from buying the previously used textbook new, are $70 per student.
License:
Conceptual Physics: CC 3.0
OpenStax College Physics Vol. 1: CC 4.0
HyperPhysics: © C. R. Nave, 2017
Course Number: PHY 120 - Physics for Future Leaders
Description: Intended primarily for nonscientists, this course covers topics relevant to leaders, policy makers, and citizens confronted with science and technology issues. Topics include energy production and utilization; atoms and heat; radioactivity and nuclear reactions; nuclear bombs; light and radio waves for communication and navigation; climate change; quantum physics.
Prerequisites: None
GE credit: 3 units, Syllabus Linked Below
Learning outcomes:
- Identify and discuss the relevance of physics that broadly impact all aspects of society
- Identify and discuss the topics of physics presented that influence the decisions that governments and policy makers make, including current, and future societal, environmental and economic challenges.
- Solve quantitative physics problems and demonstrate logical reasoning clearly and completely.
- Discuss the importance and impact of physical sciences as it relates to public policy and governmental priorities.
The students in this class are primarily in their first or second year in university, and have declared majors of either International Business and Logistics, or Global Studies and Maritime Affairs. Many of them have not taken math courses beyond high school algebra.
Teaching and learning impacts:
Collaborate more with other faculty : No
Use wider range of teaching materials: Yes
Student learning improved : Yes
Student retention improved : Unsure
Any unexpected results: No
PHY120 - Syllabus
Syllabus for the PHY 120 course taught by Nelson Coates and Frank Yip, in Spring 2019.
OER Adoption Process
The primary motivation for adopting open textbooks and resources for this course was to replace the previous textbook (Physics and Technology for Future Presidents, R. A. Muller) with a more modern and specific set of subject materials, with the added benefit of lowering the materials cost for students taking this course.
The textbooks and resources were also supplemented with YouTube videos, PhET simulations, and comprehensive instructor-written study guides.
Student access: Students can access the described resources as bound printed copies, .pdf, .html, ePub, and DVD formats.
Student feedback or participation:
Anecdotal student feedback suggests all of the students accessed the free resources, as opposed to previous iterations of this course where not all of the students purchased the textbook.
Instructor Name [Dr. Nelson Coates and Dr. Frank Yip]
We are professors at the California State University - Maritime Academy in the Dept. of Sciences and Mathematics.