PH 102 - Fundamentals of Physics

4 Credit(s)

Some or all of the PH 101,2,3 sequence can be taken in any order. PH 102 focuses on the science of heat and thermodynamics, waves and sound, and electricity and magnetism. See information about the Fundamentals of Physics sequence in the PH 101 course description. The class environment includes labs, demonstrations, discussion, and individual and group activities. Lab included.

Prerequisite: MTH 052  or above with grade of ‘C-’ or better or pass placement test.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Gain familiarity with a wide variety of physical phenomena and the means by which they are described and explained involving: Thermodynamics; wave motion and wave phenomena; and Electricity and Magnetism.

2. Correctly use elementary physics concepts regarding the above phenomena in some simple situations, and gain a significantly increased basic conceptual understanding of these phenomena.

3. Converse and comprehend through communication using elementary descriptions and dynamical laws about Thermodynamics, wave motion and wave phenomena and Electricity and Magnetism and elementary diagrammatic representations (e.g. ray and wave crest diagrams and circuit diagrams).

4. Have familiarity with, the use of, and an elementary understanding of precision in measurement, drawing conclusions from experimental data about possible explanations of the course phenomena.

5. Have familiarity with the use of scientific equipment to investigate the course phenomena.

6. Be able to formulate questions to move their thinking forward concerning the subject matter of the class.

7. Be familiar with elementary application of basic concepts Thermodynamics, wave motion and wave phenomena, and Electricity and Magnetism.

8. Be aware of possible uses and impacts of this physics knowledge.

9. Converse and write about the nature of science with increased sophistication and see physics as a science, rather than a body of knowledge.

10. Appreciate that the insights provided by the Classical understanding of Thermodynamics, wave motion and wave phenomena, and Electricity and Magnetism are valuable and useful, while appreciating that further understandings have been and are being developed.

11. Have a greater appreciation that energy and technology have profound implications for humanity, which involve choices by society generally and scientists as well.