The AP Physics Video Course is a one-year, high-school Advanced Placement course in algebra-based physics designed for students with solid math backgrounds. It is designed for students who have not studied physics before. Its goals are to help students appreciate the physical world around them and to prepare them for college physics. Students who master the material should be able to score well on The College Board's Advanced Placement Physics "B" exam in algebra-based physics (not to be confused with the calculus-based AP Physics "C" exam) and on similar exams that may be administered by individual universities.

After eleven years of continuous broadcast, Oklahoma State University's Advanced Placement Physics by Satellite was taken off the air due to rising satellite costs. In order to continue to assist schools in offering physics to their students, OSU has authorized the leasing of the 1996/97 broadcasts via videocassette.

The instructor on the taped broadcasts is Dr. Peter Shull, a professional astronomer educated at Princeton and Rice. Dr. Shull is a recipient of the Amoco and Burlington Northern outstanding faculty awards at Oklahoma State University.

Physics is required for all students who wish to pursue careers as engineers, physicians, and scientists. In college, pre-medical and technology majors will be required to take at least algebra-based physics; science and engineering majors will study calculus-based physics. Obviously, taking a good high-school physics course is a wise choice for anyone considering such a major. Freshmen who did not learn physics in high school will either be placed in college physics classes with those who have or will pay extra for remedial courses.

Students who have taken physics in high school achieve higher grades in college physics. The charts at the right and below compare the grades of college students who had taken physics in high school and those who had not*. Those students who both had the opportunity to take physics in high school and chose to take it, scored dramatically higher.

Graph #1: Students with High School Physics

Graph #2: Students without High School Physics

Five out of every six high schools in America already offer physics. The AP Physics Video Course enables high schools everywhere to cost-effectively supply their students with world-class instruction in a critical subject. This allows America's school systems to provide higher quality education even when budgets are tight.

Two primary packages are available to schools. The Basic Supplemental Package is well suited for assisting current, physics-certified teachers. This package allows teachers to enhance their curriculum by incorporating an actual physics professor into their regular curriculum.

The Comprehensive Course Package provides the needed materials and support for school districts that are currently not offering physics. This package works with a certified (non-physics) teacher in order to provide students the opportunity to take physics.

NOTE: Schools need to call and verify if their State Departments of Education have approved these packages for high school credit.

Basic Supplemental Package

The set includes 63 unedited, taped broadcasts. These broadcasts are provided on 21 tapes, each containing three 50-minute broadcasts. Teachers are provided with a single binder that will contain a teacher's manual and homework/quiz keys.

$1,195 for a one school-year lease

Comprehensive Course Package

The set includes 63 unedited, taped broadcasts. These broadcasts are provided on 21 tapes, each containing three 50-minute broadcasts. Teachers are provided with a single binder that will contain a teacher's manual and homework/quiz keys.

Support is provided to both teachers and students via a toll-free hotline and the Internet. The professor can be easily reached during school days and afternoons. The toll-free number also allows students to call and receive homework assistance by tutors during selected evenings.

$1,795 for a one school-year lease

For More Information Contact:

Oklahoma State University

Arts & Sciences Outreach

1-800-452-2787

* "Counseling Physics Students: A Research Basis," Brian J. Alters,

THE PHYSICS TEACHER, VOL. 33, SEPT. 1995.