Contents

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 7. Develop skills in the integration of physics/chemistry with Common Core math and reading
    content.
  8. 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. 9. Evaluate and explain the reasonableness of solutions identified in Objective 8.

Course Objectives

  1. 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.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  2. 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).

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  3. 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.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  4. 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. 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.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Final exam questions

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR1
  6. 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.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  7. 7. Develop skills in the integration of physics/chemistry with Common Core math and reading
    content.
  8. 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.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Final exam questions

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR2
  9. 9. Evaluate and explain the reasonableness of solutions identified in Objective 8.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Final exam questions

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

    Scientific Reasoning

    • SR3