Concepts in Physical Science

Catalog description

This introductory course focuses on principles, laws, and concepts in physics, chemistry, and earth and space science. Students model scientific reasoning and experimentation processes: questioning, forming hypotheses, testing hypotheses experimentally, and performing analysis and additional questioning that lead to further experimentation. Lab activities are closely sequenced with the lecture topics, which include measurements and data analysis; fundamentals of classical mechanics; sources and transformations of energy; thermodynamics; waves; electricity and magnetism; light; atomic and nuclear theory; the periodic table; reactions; solutions; fundamentals of organic chemistry; geological processes, with a brief study of rocks and minerals; and the history and structure of the Earth, solar system, and universe. The course incorporates current knowledge of science teaching and concept development. It is aimed at current and prospective teachers, or anyone desiring to acquire basic literacy in physical science.