Course Syllabus
Course: PHYS 2020
Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Physics
Title: College Physics II
Semester Approved: Fall 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
End Semester: Summer 2029
Catalog Description: PHYS 2020 is the second semester of a two-semester sequence in algebra/trigonometry-based general physics. The course is designed for students majoring in pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, and other biological sciences. The topics covered include vibrations and waves, sound, an introduction to electricity, magnetism, circuits, optics, and relativity. Concurrent registration for the laboratory course PHYS 2025 is required.
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 4; Lecture: 4; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: PHYS 2010
Corequisites: PHYS 2025
Justification: This course is a necessary component of the curriculum for pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, and other biological science majors. This course is designed to be transferable to other higher education institutions in Utah which offer a similar course with the same course number.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course students will understand be able to apply important scientific laws and principles, such as Coulomb's Law, Snell's Law, etc.. A student's understanding will be assessed withhomework and exams, and possibly with quizzes and projects.
Students will understand and emulate the scientific approach to gaining knowledge. A student's understanding will be assessed withhomework and exams, and possibly with quizzes and projects.
Students will be able to solve physics problems and apply them in scenarios from daily life and other fields of study. A student's understanding will be assessed withhomework and exams, and possibly with quizzes and projects.
Students will recognize and make connections between Physics and other fields such as medicine and Biology. A student's understanding will be assessed withhomework and exams, and possibly with quizzes and projects.
Content:
The course will cover the following topics:Vibrations and WavesSoundElectric Forces and FieldsElectric Energy and CapacitanceCurrent and ResistanceDC/AC CircuitsMagnetismFaraday's Law and InductanceElectromagnetic WavesOpticsInterference, Diffraction, Polarization of LightOptical InstrumentsRelativityQuantum MechanicsThe fundamental aspects of physical laws will be a major focus, but the development and history of our understanding of these laws will also be emphasized. Historically, many individuals from diverse and underrepresented groups and demographics made key contributions toward the discovery of physical law. The contributions of these individuals will be highlighted, where applicable, in class discussions.
Key Performance Indicators:
Homework Problems 10 to 40%
Quizzes 0 to 20%
Tests 20 to 50%
Projects 0 to 20%
Comprehensive Final 15 to 35%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
College Physics, current or recent edition, by Raymond S. Serway and Jerry S. Faughn
Pedagogy Statement:
The course content will be delivered through class discussions, interactive demonstrations, and group problem solving. A particular emphasis will be placed on active learning pedagogical techniques which are particularly effective at promoting student engagement and inclusivity.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 24
Optimum Class Size: 18
