Integrated mathematics and physical science (IMPS): a new approach for first year students at Dartmouth college

Summary form only given. The introductory calculus, physics and chemistry courses required of students in physical science and engineering are typically taught "a la carte", without coordination or cooperation by the departments and faculty involved. Students frequently find it difficult to effectively integrate the mathematics with the science and to apply it in their subsequent coursework. This paper describes how, at Dartmouth College (USA), the authors have addressed this with a course sequence called IMPS (Integrated Mathematics and Physical Science), co-developed and co-taught by faculty from mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering. IMPS is being developed as part of Dartmouth\´s Mathematics Across the Curriculum project, sponsored by NSF. Students in IMPS take two courses, one in mathematics and one in physical science, in consecutive class periods during all three terms of the freshman year. They are required to have credit for the traditional first calculus course, but there are no other requirements; IMPS is not an honors course.