Six Ideas That Shaped Physics is a complete package of course material that includes a six-volume textbook (available in both printed and ebook form) and a rich assortment of web-based supporting material accessible through this website. Six Ideas grew out of the 1987-1995 Introductory University Physics Project (IUPP), an NSF-funded project to revitalize the two-semester calculus-based introductory physics course (read more history…). The course materials therefore reflect more than a quarter-century of focused experimentation and development with the goal of providing instructors what they need to create an active, student-centered classroom that excites students and fully prepares them for appreciating the role of physics in the 21st century.

To being learning about the Six Ideas course, please first read the Overview.

After reading that, you can follow the links below to learn more about specific elements of the Six Ideas package.

• Chapter Titles provides a quick overview of the contents of the 3rd edition textbook and identifies optional chapters.
• The Six Ideas Philosophy provides a more in-depth discussion of the principles behind various course features.
• Sample Sequences illustrates a few of the many possible ways to arrange the material.
• Textbook Features provides an an annotated guide to a sample chapter.
• Problem Types provides examples of each problem type.
• Response Systems discusses how to use the back of the book or small whiteboards to gather student responses.
• Getting Students to Read presents tested options for motivating students to read the book before class.
• Homework Grading discusses one tested and recommended method for evaluating homework.
• Sample Syllabus (under construction) displays an example complete course design.
• Computer Apps summarizes the apps that support the course and how they work.
• Evidence of Success provides an overview of what we know about how well the course works.
• FAQs provides answers to frequently-asked questions.
• Who is Using Six Ideas provides a list of institutions that we know are using the books.
• What's New describes the new features of the 4th edition.

The top-level Resources page on this provides links to valuable materials for both instructors and students, including the instructor's manual, computer apps, lesson plans, additional chapters, errata, and so on. The News page provides up-to-date information about the course. Finally the Contact form provides a way for you to contact the author to ask questions or report errors.