Algebra-based vs calculus-based physics: which one is Physics I?

It depends on the college, because Physics I is the first course of either sequence. At UPI Study, Physics I (Physics 200) has no prerequisite: it works with algebra, trigonometry and vectors, and its readings come from OpenStax University Physics and College Physics 2e. At your college, look at the prerequisite: College Algebra and Trigonometry means algebra-based; Calculus I means calculus-based.

Usually, yes. Texas describes University Physics I as “Fundamental principles of physics, using calculus, for science, computer science, and engineering majors”, Illinois describes PHYS 211 as “A calculus-based approach for majors in engineering, mathematics, physics and chemistry”, and Georgia Tech says of PHYS 2211: “This is a calculus-based course.” Ask your registrar whether Physics 200 counts before buying it for an engineering degree.

Yes. College Board calls it AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based and equates it to “A first-semester introductory college course in algebra-based physics.” AP Physics C: Mechanics is the calculus-based one: “A semester-long, introductory calculus-based college course in physics.” If your college already gave you credit for AP Physics 1, you may not need Physics 200.

Physics I (Physics 200) is a self-paced online course that covers units and vectors, motion in one and two dimensions, Newton's laws, work and energy, oscillations, sound, fluids and circuits.

NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Physics among other subjects; ACE recommends 3 (ACE ID UPIS-0007).

Its NCCRS recommendation lists Physics or Earth Science. Your college decides which requirement it fills.

Its syllabus has 15 chapters and 73 instructional hours. It is self-paced, so you finish as fast or as slow as you want.

No prerequisite is listed: Physics I starts from the beginning of the subject.

100 multiple-choice questions, counting for 50% of the grade.

Quizzes 20%, the assignment 30%, the final exam 50%. A pass is 70 or more.

Yes, as a separate course: Physics Lab (PHYS 200L), 1 semester hour recommended by NCCRS. A lab course is graded on lab reports (70%) and quizzes (30%), with no final exam, and can be taken on its own.

The syllabus lists Moebs, William, et al. University Physics. OpenStax, 2016, with other references.

Physics I: yes, ACE ID UPIS-0007, 3 semester hours. ACE listings run three years and UPI Study renews them as they end; credit you have earned stays valid for 10 years.

Physics Lab. In the “Physical science with labs” order on the Science and labs courses page, it follows Physics I. Your program may set its own order.

Yes: every UPI Study course is its own enrollment, so you can take Physics I without any other course and transfer it by itself.

You get one free retake if you fail it; fail the retake and you restart the course. If you pass and retake it, your first score is the one that counts. Physics I quizzes can be retaken as often as you like; the average of your first two attempts counts.

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours in Physics or Earth Science, and ACE recommends 3 (ACE ID UPIS-0007). Search your school in Find My College and send your registrar the syllabus with your college's course description. It helps to name the subject: NCCRS recommends Physics I in Physics.