McGraw-Hill Education Brings Real-World, Contemporary Physics to the College Classroom

NEW YORK, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Physics is a dynamic scientific discipline that strives to find innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing issues, including the search for alternative energy sources and the development of sustainable technologies. However, unlike texts in fields such as biology and chemistry that incorporate contemporary research into classroom content, many physics textbooks don't focus on modern, real-world examples, leaving students with little exposure to these important and evolving topics. University Physics (McGraw-Hill Higher Education) solves this problem by breaking the mold of traditional physics content, weaving exciting, contemporary ideas and research throughout the text and sharing current advancements and events with students.

By incorporating a variety of contemporary topics and research-based discussions, University Physics helps students understand how physics concepts are related to the development of new technologies in the fields of engineering, medicine (biology), astronomy and more.  

"This text allows students to view physics in a new light," said Kurt Strand, president of McGraw-Hill Higher Education's Science, Engineering and Mathematics Group. "By bringing real-world physics into the classroom, University Physics demonstrates to students just how important this field is to our future."

Written by Dr. Wolfgang Bauer and Dr. Gary Westfall, University Physics was developed by listening to feedback from more than 300 advisors, contributors, manuscript reviewers and focus group participants. In addition, the text was field-tested with approximately 4,000 students in introductory physics classes at Michigan State University.

"I think the approach to include modern or contemporary physics throughout the text is great," said Donna Stokes, Associate Professor and Undergraduate Academic Advisor, University of Houston. "Students often approach physics as a science of concepts, which were discovered long ago. They view engineering as the science that has given them the advances in technology they see today. It's great to show students just where these advances do start, with physics."

The authors' use of University Physics in their own courses showed that incorporating the broad topic of energy engaged their students, encouraging them to formulate and share ideas -- based on real physics concepts -- about how to solve the energy crisis. At Michigan State University, co-author Dr. Bauer has served as a member of the Energy Initiative Coordinating Group and spearheaded an effort to build a carbon-neutral biogas power plant. He was recently invited to serve on an energy expert panel for the U.S. government.

University Physics is supported by the unique web-based assignment and assessment platform McGraw-Hill Connect™, the most advanced all-digital teaching and learning exchange for higher education. Connect Physics uses the latest technology and adaptive learning techniques to better engage professors with their students, and students to the information and customized resources they need to master a subject.  New interactive tools and problem types developed for Connect Physics, such as the free-body diagram drawing tool and an extensive symbolic/numeric entry palette, allow instructors greater freedom to test conceptual understanding in addition to quantitative skills.

About McGraw-Hill Higher Education:

McGraw-Hill Higher Education, a unit of McGraw-Hill Education, is a premier provider of teaching and learning solutions for 21st century post-secondary and higher education markets worldwide.  Through a comprehensive range of traditional and digital education content and tools, McGraw-Hill Higher Education empowers educators and prepares professionals and students of all ages to connect, learn and succeed in the global economy. McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 65 languages. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com/.

SOURCE McGraw-Hill Higher Education