PH 211 General Physics with Calculus

PH 211 is the first term of a calculus-based, three-term sequence providing an introduction to fundamental physics concepts, analysis, exploration, calculation and problem-solving that are required for engineering and physics majors, and also meets any General Physics requirements for other health, mathematics, computer science and science majors. This course focuses on conceptual understanding and exploration, visual and mathematical representation, calculation, and problem-solving. It introduces the nature of science, Classical Newtonian Mechanics, energy, and momentum. The class includes labs, demonstrations, discussion, and individual and group activities.

Credits

5

Prerequisite

MTH 251 with a C- or better (or may be taken as a corequisite)

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Think, converse and write with significant conceptual precision about translational mechanical motion, using applicable calculus concepts and creating multiple, appropriate visual and mathematical representations of the motion
2. Make appropriate decisions, converse and write with significant conceptual precision about measurement, the use of applicable scientific equipment to conduct experimental investigation of translational motion, and the design of experiments and evaluation of results of experiments, and draw conclusions about possible explanations of translational motion from experiment and calculation
3. Formulate questions to move their thinking forward concerning the subject matter of the class and monitor and evaluate their thinking for consistency and reasonableness in the course of study and problem-solving
4. Appropriately choose and apply the following frameworks of classical mechanics to systems exhibiting translational motion: Newton’s Laws, Work and the Work-Energy Relation, Conservation of Energy, Impulse and the Impulse-Momentum Relation, and Conservation of Momentum
5. Approach problem-solving in a manner appropriate to physics and to the level needed by beginning physics and engineering majors; they will be aware that this may be significantly different from working through exercises encountered in mathematics classes and perhaps previous science classes; and they will be aware of possible uses and impacts of this physics knowledge
6. Converse and write about the nature of science with some sophistication and approach the problem-solving in physics as aligned to physics as a science, rather than a body of knowledge
7. Appreciate that the insights provided by classical mechanics are valuable and useful even though physics has developed beyond Classical Mechanics and beyond mechanical theories - of which Classical Mechanics is a premier example - which are fundamentally limited