Distance Calculus-Based Physics With Lab

[royloya]

HELP!
My son Is a senior in high school and has been accepted by a wonderful university. Unfortunately,he has been out ill for most of the semester. We are proceeding on the assumption that he will be able to go to the university in August but, just in case he can’t, I think we should have an alternative in mind. If he’s not able to go to school, he’ll be unable to hold a job or to commit to anything else that’s structured. I was thinking about a couple online courses that will be useful for his majors (astrophysics and applied physics). The lectures are often recorded so he can watch them any time he wants, the quizzes are online so he can take them in the evening if he wishes (his best time) and he can take the tests at whatever time he arranges with a proctor. Physics labs that can be done online are essential. Both of his intended majors requires calculus-based general physics with lab. The online physics course at NC State would be perfect but the school requires you to go through an admissions process that is identical to that for a degree seeking student if you have been graduated from high school for less than a year and that deadline has passed. The Colorado Community Colleges consortium also offers such a course but you have to be a student at one of their colleges.

What I'm looking for is a distance learning calculus-based general physics course (with lab) at an accredited institution (so the credits transfer) that doesn't require a student to be enrolled there. Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Angry Citizen]

This sounds like a ripoff. Science classes cannot be done in distance education -- especially ones with labs. Your child doesn't have to go off to college immediately. If it's a choice between waiting it out for a semester or two, or doing physics online, then wait it out.

 

[AlephZero]

The best place to get advice would be from the university that has offered your son a place, not random websites that are trying to sell you stuff.

I would forget about physics courses that need lab work. You can't do that over the internet (well, actually you can, and many scientists do, but you can't learn to do it that way).

You should be able to find some online math courses that will be just as useful, and don't requure any lab work. It's impossible for a physicist to know "too much" math, IMO.

 

[royloya]

Thanks. He took linear algebra and multivariable calculus in high school and intends to do differential equations online if he can't go away to college. What else would you suggest?

 

[mege]

Thanks. He took linear algebra and multivariable calculus in high school and intends to do differential equations online if he can't go away to college. What else would you suggest?

If you (and he) are hardset on taking classes this fall, in a distance environment, check your local community college and work on some general education classes. Most of his 'core' (degree related) classes probably 'shouldn't' be taken at distance. Bottom line - talk to your University about what options they have. It's very likely they have no problem defering enrollment for a semester or two because of a bonafide hardship. (also, your university might be able to assist and have a few distance general education - english, composition, history - that he can take)