Syllabus: (PDF)
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Dr. Larsen's Main Page
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- WELCOME! -
This is the web-page for the FYSE 130 Course "Physics of Sport". If you're on this webpage, it is probably reasonable to figure that you are likely enrolled in the class -- so thanks for signing up. Materials on this webpage are meant to supplement information given to you in class itself. I'm not a big fan of OAKS, therefore any on-line supplementary material for the course you need can be found here. To the left, you'll find important links/syllabi/etc.If you'd like to find out more about me or the research we do in my lab, check out my main webpage.
- About This Course -
- Description in Brochure -
How fast can a human being possibly run? How much could a curveball curve? How do the dimples of a golf ball influence its flight? What is the best method of evaluating a quarterback's value to his team? Any sports fan can easily develop dozens of questions along these lines. Using the practical backdrop of sports, students in this class will investigate these queries -- and hundreds of others like them -- with appeal to some basic physics principles and ideas in a dynamic and interactive student-driven classroom setting.- What this course is really all about -
Many students that succeed in science classes at the high school level begin to struggle when taking science in college. This isn't just because science classes at the college level are harder; many of the struggles occur because the successful learning strategies students used at the high school level are targeted to high-school level ideas, concepts, and problems. Problems that students have to wrestle with at the college level are often substantially less straightforward and can frustrate students because they do not understand how to go about starting to answer the question. (Things are less about memorization than they are about applying knowledge in new ways).Ultimately, this course really isn't about "Physics" or "Sports" -- but critical thinking and problem solving. Our goal is to develop skills associated with answering questions that aren't as straightforward as you've seen before. These skills should benefit you throughout the rest of your educational career.
This is the second time this course is being offered. The first time, we tried doing it with an extremely minimalistic physics instruction component, but students struggled a little bit. Thus, we're going to try and spend the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the course working through the elements of introductory physics that are most relevant to understanding different phenomena in the realm of popular sports. From there, we'll work on various problem solving techniques.
- Course Announcements -
Welcome to the class! Don't forget that there is a linked section of FYSS 101 (section 56) that you are required to attend; Tuesday afternoons from 3:05-3:55 PM in RSS 249.Our class meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:30 AM - 8:20 AM Harbor Walk West (HWWE) room 110. (I am sorry; I did not choose the time or the location. We'll make the best of it). Since everyone taking this course is likely new to campus, it might be helpful if you had some assistance in figuring out where HWWE actually is located; it is a bit of a walk off the main campus. Hopefully this link and this link will be helpful to you. It is a healthy walk, so make sure to start your commute to class early enough!
- Movies to Watch before Class -
Brief video to watch BEFORE Monday, 8/25/14.- Important Dates/Assignments -
Assignment 1(PDF) (due 8/22/14)Assignment 2(PDF) (due 8/29/14)
Assignment 3(PDF) (due 9/5/14)
Assignment 4(PDF) (due 9/12/14)
Assignment 5(PDF) (due 9/19/14)
Assignment 6(PDF) (due 9/26/14)
Assignment 7(PDF) (due 10/3/14)
Assignment 8(PDF) (due 10/10/14) [Counts Double!]
Group Paper (Description and Rubric) (due 10/17/14)
Group Paper Topics (your group will be assigned a topic from this list during class. (due 10/17/14)
Individual Paper (Description and Rubric) (due 11/7/14)
Group Presentations (Description and Rubric) (group specific due date; anywhere between 11/17/14 and 12/8/14, depending on the group)
Group Project Topics (your group will be assigned a topic from this list during class. (due between 11/17/14 and 12/8/14, depending on the group)
- Links/Resources -
Tutors available for free and for hireCenter for student learning schedule and general information .
A FREE downloadable introductory physics text
Query Paper Description and Rubric
Group Presentation Description and Rubric
Information on transportation to Harbor Walk via bike and walking.
A list of workshops put on by the Center for Student Learning to help with study skills.
Slow motion juggling