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Abstract Title: Physics major course model mathematical preparation: math methods courses in physics vs. other models
Abstract Type: Contributed Poster Presentation
Abstract: The undergraduate physics curriculum is in many ways standard, generally including courses in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. "Mathematical methods" is a course intended to bridge complex mathematics with various physics concepts to prepare students for future upper-division physics theory courses, but not all departments offer such a course. For this presentation, we seek to investigate two research questions: What course models exist in US universities for the mathematical preparation of physics students? To what extent is there a correlation between course model and institutional variables such as the number of majors, student demographics, public versus private, research-intensive, and primarily undergraduate? By reviewing catalogs from colleges and universities in California, as preparation for a broader study, we gathered data on the prevalence of math methods courses in physics vs. other models.
Footnote: Supported in part by NSF grant PHY#1912660 as well as the Black Family Foundation.
Session Time: Poster Session 2
Poster Number: II-69

Author/Organizer Information

Primary Contact: Eve Chicas
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA 92831
Co-Author(s)
and Co-Presenter(s)
Michael Loverude (he/him/his)
California State University Fullerton