PHYS 107 Physical Science

The course allows students to experience hands-on science via an inquiry-based constructivist model in both the classroom and lab. Course content will focus on force and motion/interactions, energy transfer and conservation, wave properties, electromagnetic radiation, structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, and related topics covered in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Basic math skills are needed to illustrate some of these principles and answer/solve related questions/problems. Research-supported best teaching practices are used to incorporate this content with the use of technology (e.g. microcomputer motion and sound sensors) in the lab culminating in two formal lab reports and a lesson plan presentation. Students refine their understanding through small group and entire class discussions (including some problem solving), class demonstrations, lab experiments, and computer simulations and tutorials to address their misconceptions and construct scientific models. 

Credits

4

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in MATH 070

Hours Weekly

3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab weekly

Course Objectives

1. Recognize physics and chemistry misconceptions and support scientific models through
   class discussions and by comparing these ideas with results from hands-on lab
   experiments.
2. Use inquiry-based learning and the constructivist learning model to incorporate
   understanding of the basic physics/chemistry concepts as related to Next Generations
   Science Standards (NGSS).
   
3. Identify and properly operate common lab equipment (e.g. balance scales, batteries with
   light bulbs, etc.); computer or interface data-gathering tools (e.g. motion detectors,
   temperature probes, gas pressure sensors, etc.) with both numerical and graphical output;
   and computer simulations to gather information about a system or phenomenon.
4. Demonstrate an increased conceptual knowledge in physics/chemistry pertaining to content
   covered in NGSS, including force and motion/ interactions, energy transfer and
   conservation, wave properties, electromagnetic radiation, structure and properties of matter,
   and chemical reactions.
5. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of explanatory and predictive models for
   physics and chemistry topics listed in Objective 4 using appropriate symbols, notations, and
   vocabulary.
6. Predict, develop, and appraise models and describe phenomena to include simple math
   equations by using experiments (some self-design) and experimental results and
   communicate these findings through oral and written reports.
7. Develop skills in the integration of physics/chemistry with Common Core math and reading
   content.
8. Integrate physics and chemistry principles with simple math equations, as needed, to
   describe and explain basic everyday phenomena and identify possible solutions to related
   problems.
9. Evaluate and explain the reasonableness of solutions identified in Objective

Course Objectives

1. Recognize physics and chemistry misconceptions and support scientific models through
   class discussions and by comparing these ideas with results from hands-on lab
   experiments.
2. Use inquiry-based learning and the constructivist learning model to incorporate
   understanding of the basic physics/chemistry concepts as related to Next Generations
   Science Standards (NGSS).
   
3. Identify and properly operate common lab equipment (e.g. balance scales, batteries with
   light bulbs, etc.); computer or interface data-gathering tools (e.g. motion detectors,
   temperature probes, gas pressure sensors, etc.) with both numerical and graphical output;
   and computer simulations to gather information about a system or phenomenon.
4. Demonstrate an increased conceptual knowledge in physics/chemistry pertaining to content
   covered in NGSS, including force and motion/ interactions, energy transfer and
   conservation, wave properties, electromagnetic radiation, structure and properties of matter,
   and chemical reactions.
5. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of explanatory and predictive models for
   physics and chemistry topics listed in Objective 4 using appropriate symbols, notations, and
   vocabulary.
6. Predict, develop, and appraise models and describe phenomena to include simple math
   equations by using experiments (some self-design) and experimental results and
   communicate these findings through oral and written reports.
7. Develop skills in the integration of physics/chemistry with Common Core math and reading
   content.
8. Integrate physics and chemistry principles with simple math equations, as needed, to
   describe and explain basic everyday phenomena and identify possible solutions to related
   problems.
9. Evaluate and explain the reasonableness of solutions identified in Objective