Course Title: Physical Science 

Course Prefix & Number: Phys1415                        

Section Number:  400

Semester: 162S

Semester Credit Hours: 4

Lecture Hours: 48

Lab Hours: 48

Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Course, designed for non-science majors, that surveys topics from physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, and meteorology. May or may not include a laboratory  

Course Prerequisite(s): Meet TSI college readiness standard for intermediate algebra

Required or Recommended Course Materials: An Introduction to Physical Science, 14th Edition, Shipman, Wilson, Higgins, and Torres (REQUIRED)

Calculator (TI30XIIS or equivalent). Cell-phone calculators are not allowed.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA

Name of Instructor:

Uma Choppali

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Campus room 331

Telephone Number:

XXX-XXX-XXXX

E-mail Address:

uchoppali@nctc.edu

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

20

Lab

20

4

Tests

60

1

Final Exam

20

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1

Use the principles of mechanics to solve problems involving motion, forces, energy, momentum, and repetitive motion.

2

Describe the basic principles of fluid mechanics.

3

Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of heat and thermodynamics.

4

Solve basic problems involving electricity.

5

Describe the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

6

Describe the characteristics of light and the electromagnetic spectrum.

7

Demonstrate an understanding of the atomic model and nuclear energy.

8

Demonstrate understanding of the basis of science using terms such as scientific method, hypothesis, law, theory, and pseudoscience.

9

Discuss energy resources.

10

Use the principles of mechanics to solve problems involving motion, forces, energy, momentum, and repetitive motion

Week

Date

Topic

Lab

1

1/18

Introduction 1: Metric System

1/20

1: Metric System, Significant Figures

2

1/23

1: Density

Graphing

1/25

2: Motion

1/27

2: Free Fall

3

1/30

2: Projectile Motion

Density I; Density II

2/01

2: Projectile Motion

2/03

3: Force; Friction

4

2/06

3: Momentum (Linear and Rotational)

Projectile Motion; Friction

2/08

3: Torque; Buoyancy

2/10

Test-I: 1, 2, 3

5

2/13

4: Work, Energy

Torque

2/15

4: Power

2/17

4: Alternative Energy

6

2/20

4: Alternative Energy

Archimedes Principle

2/22

5: Temperature, Heat

2/24

5: Heat

7

2/27

5: Latent Heat

Mixtures I; Mixtures II

3/01

5: Heat Transfer

3/03

Test-II: 4, 5

8

3/06

6: Waves

Simple Harmonic Motion; Resonance of Sound

3/08

6: Sound

3/10

6: Resonance

9

3/13

Spring Break

3/15

3/17

10

3/20

7: Reflection, Refraction

Refraction; Snell’s Law

3/22

7: Refraction

3/24

7: Diffraction; Interference; Polarization

11

3/27

Test-III: 6, 7

TBA

3/29

8: Current, Voltage

3/31

8: Power

12

4/03

8: Electric Circuits

Electrical Measurements

4/05

8: Magnets

4/07

8: Electromagnetism

13

4/10

9: Models of the Atom

Light Bulb Circuits

4/12

9: Models of the Atom

4/14

9: Models of the Atom

14

4/17

10: Nuclear Physics

Induced Voltages

4/19

10: Radioactivity

4/21

10: Nuclear Reactors

15

4/24

10: Hazardous Effects of Radiation

Spectrometer; Atomic Structure

4/26

Test-IV: 8, 9, 10

4/28

19: Composition of the Atmosphere

16

5/01

19: The Atmosphere

Global Warming; Nuclear Waste

5/03

20: Atmospheric Pollution

5/05

Review

17

5/08

Final Exam

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Keith Bailey

Office Location:

Cor335

Telephone Number:

940-498-6413

E-mail Address:

kbailey@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Sara Alford

Office Location:

Flower Mound 200C

Telephone Number:

972-899-8414

E-mail Address:

salford@nctc.edu