PHYS 100 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Welcome to Phys100! - Start of Semester Q&A
Q: What are the required materials I need to buy?
A: Look to the Required Materials link on the sidebar.
Q: I see that we're required to buy the physical iClicker remote. Can I use the iClicker Cloud App instead?
A: No, only the physical iClicker remote works in PHYS100/211/212. The good news is that if you buy it once, you can use it for all your Illinois physics courses, and then you can resell it once you don't need it anymore. I suggest buying a used one online. Look to the iClicker Info link on the sidebar for more information.
Q: What should I do before my first class?
A: Read the Phys100 - week 1 to-do list for what to do before your first discussion section/lecture.
Q: Do we have any assignments due before the first lecture?
A: Yes! (They're listed in the Phys100 - week 1 to-do list.)
Q: I need departmental permission to register for the class. How do I get this?
A: You can get departmental registration permission through this link: https://queue.illinois.edu/q/queue/864
Q: There are no registration spots open for the lectures? Can I still get in the class?
A: Yes! There is an online lecture option (Phys100 - AOL - 11 AM to noon) that can be used when all the in-person lecture spots are taken. You will need to contact me to arrange the online lecture logistics (ekuo@illinois.edu).
Q: Calculus I is a co-requisite for this course. How much Calculus will I need to know?
A: There's no expectation that you'll know calculus coming into the course. There are lots of connections between calculus and physics, and we'll talk about the important ones in class. However, the homework and other problems don't require you to know calculus.
As we go through the semester, we'll sprinkle in more Calc I ideas as you learn them in math class. The two main ideas we will cover is that the derivative of a function is the slope of the graph and that the integral of a function is the area under the graph.
Q: Should I take Phys100? Is Phys100 required?
A: Phys100 is designed to help prepare you for success in Phys211 (calculus-based mechanics). For many majors, Phys211 is a required course.
Phys100 covers kinematics (position, velocity, acceleration) and dynamics (forces and Newton's laws), which covers the first of three midterm exams in Phys211. Phys211 also covers energy, momentum, rotation, oscillations, and fluids.
Phys100 is not a required course (though it may have been recommended by an advisor or your U of I physics placement test score). If you have taken physics in high school or if you feel confident in your ability to do well in Phys211, Phys100 might feel too slow, and you can speak with your academic advisor about going directly into Phys211 this semester or in the spring. But if you want to have more time learning the fundamentals of physics, Phys100 is a great way to get more practice at a slower pace.
If you are unsure whether Phys100 will be right for you, you can check out the course schedules for Phys100 and Phys211 on the course websites.
Phys100 schedule
Phys211 schedule
Q: What should I do if I get sick or have to miss class?
A: If you are sick, please stay home! Your first 3 lecture absences and 3 discussion absences are automatically excused (see course grading page). You do not have to do anything; these will automatically be excused at the end of the semester.
If you miss more classes than this for an excusable reason, you can click on the attendance policy link to see the process for submitting an excused absence request.
Facemasks are very welcome in class. If you want to wear one, there's probably a good reason to do so, and I support your choice!