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.
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 8.
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.This objective is a course Goal Only
- 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. 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. 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.
Learning Activity Artifact
- Other (please fill out box below)
- Final exam questions
Procedure for Assessing Student Learning
- Scientific Reasoning Rubric
- 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. 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.
Learning Activity Artifact
- Other (please fill out box below)
- Final exam questions
Procedure for Assessing Student Learning
- Scientific Reasoning Rubric
- 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