Online Class: Physics 101 — Beginner to Intermediate Concepts
This course focuses on some of the critical mathematical tools required for studying physics and is geared toward students with a basic knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

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15Lessons
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24Exams &
Assignments -
24Hours
average time -
2.4CEUs
Course Description
Physics is a foundational science on which many of the concepts of chemistry, geology, biology, and other natural sciences rely. Because physics is a math-intensive subject, it is sometimes intimidating to those who wish to study it.
This course focuses on some of the critical mathematical tools required for studying physics and is geared toward students with a basic knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Starting with an introduction to vectors, the course then begins to develop a set of mathematical tools for studying classical Newtonian mechanics as well as some basic topics in classical electromagnetism. Although the course does not cover calculus, the math that is presented is more than sufficient for analyzing and solving a wide range of problems involving the motion of objects and forces such as gravity, the electric force, and magnetism.
The first half of the course deals with objects in motion, including how to quantify and relate characteristics such as force, velocity, momentum, energy, and power. The second half of the course focuses on waves and electromagnetism, starting with a look at the electric and magnetic forces and their sources, then moving to acoustic and electromagnetic waves, and ending with an overview of geometrical optics. By the end of the course, students should be armed with many of the tools they need to study physics in depth.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1 - Introduction and Mathematical Foundations
This lesson discusses some simple, but fundamental, mathematical tools that will underlie the principles and methods presented in the remainder of the course.
Additional lesson topics: Understanding Vectors
11 Total Points
Lesson 1 Video
Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: Introduce Yourself
Assessment: Lesson 1 – Introduction and Mathematical Foundations
Lesson 2 - Force and Newton's Laws I
In the previous lesson, we introduced the idea of vectors as quantities with magnitude (or length) and direction. We now take a deeper look at the properties of vectors in the context of forces and Newton's first law of motion.
8 Total Points
Lesson 2 Video
Assessment: Lesson 2 - Force and Newton's Laws I
Lesson 3 - Force and Newton's Laws II
Building on the material we studied in the previous two lessons, we now apply our understanding of vectors and forces to Newton's second and third laws of motion.
14 Total Points
Lesson 3 Video
Assessment: Lesson 3 – Force and Newton's Laws II
Assessment: Lesson 3 Exercises
Lesson 4 - Uniform Circular Motion
In this lesson, we look at how to apply both vectors and the geometry of circles and triangles to uniform circular motion. Examples of such motion include the orbits of celestial objects, such as planets and stars.
13 Total Points
Lesson 4 Video
Assessment: Lesson 4 Uniform Circular Motion
Assessment: Lesson 4 Exercises
Lesson 5 - Momentum
In this lesson, we define the concept of momentum in the context of physics and use the mathematics of vectors and differences (such as the difference in time, Δt) to derive the law of conservation of linear momentum
8 Total Points
Lesson 5 Video
Assessment: Lesson 5 Momentum
Lesson 6 - Work
In this lesson, we turn from momentum to work, which is the amount of energy required to perform a given task (such as moving an object from one point to another).
11 Total Points
Lesson 6 Video
Assessment: Lesson 6 Work
Assessment: Lesson 6 Exercises
Lesson 7 - Work and Kinetic Energy
This lesson takes the concept of work developed in the previous lesson and applies it to the concept of kinetic energy, or energy of motion.
12 Total Points
Lesson 7 Video
Assessment: Lesson 7 Work and Kinetic Energy
Assessment: Lesson 7 Exercises
Lesson 8 - Mechanical Energy and Power
This lesson concludes our look at basic Newtonian mechanics (motion) by considering potential energy and its relationship to kinetic energy through the concept of mechanical energy.
10 Total Points
Lesson 8 Video
Assessment: Lesson 8 Mechanical Energy and Power
Lesson 9 - Electrostatics
The course now turns from an examination of the mechanics of motion resulting from applied forces to an overview of a specific type of force: the electric force.
9 Total Points
Lesson 9 Video
Assessment: Lesson 9 Electrostatics
Lesson 10 - Currents and Magnetism
In this lesson, we turn from stationary charges to charges in motion. Charged particles in motion exert a magnetic force on each other.
18 Total Points
Lesson 10 Video
Assessment: Lesson 10 Currents and Magnetism
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exercises
Lesson 11 - Waves
This lesson considers some of the mathematical aspects of waves that we will need to briefly study sound and light in later lessons.
9 Total Points
Lesson 11 Video
Assessment: Lesson 11 Waves
Lesson 12 - Acoustic Waves
In this lesson, we begin to apply our knowledge of waves gained in the previous lesson to the topic of sound (acoustic waves).
Additional lesson topics: Acoustics and Vibration Animations; The Speed of Sound
14 Total Points
Lesson 12 Video
Assessment: Lesson 12 Acoustic Waves
Assessment: Lesson 12 Exercises
Lesson 13 - Electromagnetic Waves
In this lesson, we consider electromagnetic waves, including the ways in which they compare and contrast with acoustic waves.
12 Total Points
Lesson 13 Video
Assessment: Lesson 13 Electromagnetic Waves
Assessment: Lesson 13 Exercises
Lesson 14 - Rays: Geometrical Optics I
Although the mathematics associated with waves can be extremely complicated, we can in some cases approximate waves as "rays" (geometrical optics).
10 Total Points
Lesson 14 Video
Assessment: Lesson 14 Rays: Geometrical Optics I
Lesson 15 - Rays: Geometrical Optics II
In this lesson, we briefly look at how geometrical optics can be used to analyze images created by mirrors and lenses.
Additional lesson topics: Geometrical Optics; Ray Diagrams
57 Total Points
Lesson 15 Video
Lesson discussions: What do you think about this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
Assessment: Lesson 15 Rays: Geometrical Optics II
Assessment: The Final Exam
216
Total Course Points
Learning Outcomes
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Summarize mathematical foundations of physics.
- Describe force and Newton's Laws.
- Define uniform circular motion.
- Solve problems involving Momentum.
- Solve problems involving Work.
- Solve problems involving Work and Kinetic Energy.
- Solve problems involving Mechanical Energy and Power
- Summarize electrostatics.
- Solve problems involving Currents and Magnetism
- Summarize waves.
- Summarize acoustic waves.
- Summarize electromagnetic waves.
- Describe Geometrical Optics.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Course Title:
Physics 101: Beginner to Intermediate Concepts
Course Number:
9770457
Languages:
English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Category:
Availability:
This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, and Washington.
Last Updated:
February 2023
Course Type:
Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value:
2.4 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation:
Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy:
Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method:
Lesson assignments and review exams
Course Fee:
$110.00 U.S. dollars
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Student Testimonials
- "Awesome course, I appreciated the feedback." -- Shayana M.
- "Everything was great, thank you!" -- Seth H.
- "Instructor was very prompt in correcting assignments and exams, with details given of mistakes" -- Colleen M.