Department of Physics Info Page
Table of contents
- Home Study
- PSI (Personalized System of Instruction)
The Physics department offers a number of courses through ESU's Home
Study Program. Home study provides an opportunity for students to take
courses while they are away from the campus. This type of course is
typically offered during the summer and winter sessions. The following
courses are available via home study when offered:
- PHYS 105: Physics for the Inquiring Mind
- PHYS 106: Modern Physics
- PHYS 110: Sound, Waves and Light
- PHYS 117: Energy
- PHYS 118: Solar Energy
- PHYS 121: Astro I: Sky and Solar System
- PHYS 151 Physics of Flight
- PHYS 253:
Fire and Arson Investigation
After registering for the Home Study Course and prior to the start of
the course, the student receives course materials from the instructor.
While students must register for these courses in accordance with
normal registration procedures, they must also contact the course
instructor for course requirements and materials.
Students typically have until the end of the registered session to
complete the course work. Note: There are university restrictions on
the number of credits a student may complete via home study.
Courses taught via Home Study are non-lectured, self-paced courses. The
student uses prepared study materials and text and completes a series of
units. For each unit, the student completes a series of questions that
are provided beforehand. When the units are completed, the student must
come to the designated room (either 117 or 225 Gessner) during the
scheduled times in order to take a final exam. The grading procesdures
are delineated in the package prepared for each course.
Note: Presently, one must be present to take the final exam on campus
and the postal service is used to deliver the completed unit exams from
the student to the instructor. Plans are now underway to offer several
of these courses completely by e-mail with a local proctor acting to
oversee the final exam.
Note for summer students taking home study
While students must register for these courses in accordance with
normal registration procedures, they may begin the course at any time
during the summer and, in some cases, they may have until the end of
the summer to complete their work. After registering, students are
required to personally meet with the appropriate faculty memebr to
receive some of their materials. For additional information contact
the Physics Department at (570) 422-3341.
Courses taught via the Personalized System of Instruction are
non-lectured, self-paced courses. The student uses prepared study
materials, typically a study guide, that breaks down the course into
a series of units. For each unit, there is an exam.
When the student feels he/she is prepared for the exam, he/she
comes to the designated PSI room (typically 117 Gessner) to
take the exam. To ensure that the student has mastered the objectives
of the unit, the student cannot move onto the next unit without
obtaining a specific score on the exam (usually 90%). If the
student doesn't obtain the passing score, he/she meets with an
instructor one-on-one (hence the personalized system of
instruction). The instructor helps the student to address his/her
weaknesses.
Fortunately, each unit is usually broken down into several objectives,
with each question on the unit exam corresponding to a particular
objective. This makes it relatively easy to identify which objectives
the student may still be weak in.
After the student addresses the weaknesses, the student can re-take
another version of the unit exam. If he/she still doesn't pass, the
process is repeated. Usually there is a limit to the number of
times a student can retake an exam but the purpose of the procedure
is to ensure that a student masters the objectives of one unit before
moving onto the next unit.
After completing all of the units, there is usually a comprehensive final
which can only be taken once.
Specific grading procedures are delineated in the package prepared for
each course.
The following courses are available via PSI when offered:
- PHYS 102: Physics as a Liberal Art
- PHYS 105: Physics for the Inquiring Mind
- PHYS 106: Modern Physics
- PHYS 110: Sound, Waves and Light
- PHYS 117: Energy
- PHYS 118: Solar Energy
- PHYS 151 Physics of Flight
- PHYS 253:
Fire and Arson Investigation
Note for students taking Fundamental Physics I/II labs
During the Fall and Spring, Fundamental Physics I/II and
Physics I/II are taught by lecture but the labs are offered via
PSI. Students complete the labs during the scheduled times.
Typically, the lab room (225 Gessner) is available about 20 hours a
week to accomodate student schedules.
Note for students taking Fundamental Physics I/II during the summer
If offered during the summer, Fundamental Physics I/II is
typically offered totally by PSI. The course material is separated into
twelve units, as described in the student guide that accompanies the
course (available at the bookstore). The guide describes the material
to be learned, the appropriate portions of the book to be read and the
laboratory activity to be completed, for each unit. The guide also
includes a worksheet for each unit that you must complete. When you
feel ready, you take an exam which tests your mastery of the unit. The
instructors guide the activities and learning. For more information,
see the course instructor.