PHY203: General Physics III – Syllabus and Course Structure Overview

Course Overview

Introduction to General Physics III

This course, PHY203, is an algebra-based introduction to general physics for science majors, with a focus on applications in healthcare, biology, and sustainability. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving and the practical application of physics concepts relevant to electricity, magnetism, and optics.

• Course Code: PHY203

• Instructor: Dr. Dylan Kloster

• Credit Hours: 4

• Prerequisite: PH202

• Recommended Corequisite: PH226

Topics Covered

Weekly Topic Breakdown

The course covers the following major topics, each corresponding to foundational chapters in a college physics curriculum:

• Week 1: Review, Charges, Coulomb’s Law, the Electric Field

• Week 2: Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

• Week 3: Current, Resistance, and Ohm’s Law

• Week 4: Introduction to Circuits

• Week 5: Capacitors and RC Circuits

• Week 6: Midterm Exam

• Week 7: Introduction to Magnetism and Magnetic Forces

• Week 8: Electromagnetic Induction and Electromagnetic Waves

• Week 9: Intensity and Polarization of Light

• Week 10: Introduction to Optics and the Ray Model of Light

• Week 11: Final Exam

Course Learning Outcomes

• Quantitative Problem Solving: Develop and apply mathematical approaches to solve physics problems.

• Scientific and Qualitative Reasoning: Interpret and analyze physical phenomena using scientific reasoning.

• Experimental Design: Design experiments for testing and application of physics concepts.

• Modeling Principles: Apply modeling techniques and make justified assumptions in physics contexts.

• Technical Writing: Communicate scientific ideas and solutions effectively in written form.

• Data Collection and Analysis: Reinforce skills in collecting and analyzing experimental data.

Required Materials

• Textbook: Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics by Randall D. Knight (Pearson Mastering Physics with eText)

• ISBN (Single-term): 9780137319541

• ISBN (Multi-term): 9780136808473

Graded Assignments and Evaluation

Assignment Categories and Weights

Assignment Category	Weight
Problem Sets	40%
Midterm Exam	30%
Final Exam	30%

Grading Scale

Percentage	Grade
90% and above	A
80% ≤ x < 90%	B
70% ≤ x < 80%	C
60% ≤ x < 70%	D
Below 60%	F

Assignment Details

• Problem Sets: Weekly assignments using Mastering Physics, with 25 attempts per problem and no penalty for incorrect guesses. Late submissions are not accepted without prior approval.

• Exams: One midterm (week 6, 50 minutes) and one final exam (week 11, 120 minutes), both including multiple-choice and long-form questions.

• Variable-Form Exercises: Every other week, students solve a problem with variables instead of numbers, providing full explanations, definitions, and visual aids. These can replace a low exam score under certain conditions.

Key Physics Topics (with Academic Context)

Electric Charge and Coulomb’s Law

• Electric Charge: A fundamental property of matter responsible for electric forces and interactions. There are two types: positive and negative.

• Coulomb’s Law: Describes the force between two point charges: $F = k_e \frac{|q_1 q_2|}{r^2}$ where $F$ is the force, $q_1$ and $q_2$ are the charges, $r$ is the distance between them, and $k_e$ is Coulomb’s constant.

• Electric Field: The region around a charged object where other charges experience a force. Defined as: $\vec{E} = \frac{\vec{F}}{q}$

Electric Potential and Potential Energy

• Electric Potential Energy: The energy a charge has due to its position in an electric field.

• Electric Potential (Voltage): The potential energy per unit charge: $V = \frac{U}{q}$

Current, Resistance, and Ohm’s Law

• Electric Current ($I$): The rate of flow of electric charge: $I = \frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t}$

• Resistance ($R$): The opposition to current flow in a material.

• Ohm’s Law: Relates voltage, current, and resistance: $V = IR$

Circuits, Capacitors, and RC Circuits

• Circuits: Arrangements of electrical components connected to allow current flow.

• Capacitors: Devices that store electric charge and energy.

• RC Circuits: Circuits containing resistors and capacitors, important for understanding charging and discharging behavior.

Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

• Magnetic Forces and Fields: Moving charges produce magnetic fields, which exert forces on other moving charges.

• Electromagnetic Induction: A changing magnetic field induces an electric current (Faraday’s Law): $\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$

• Electromagnetic Waves: Oscillating electric and magnetic fields propagate as waves (light is an example).

Light, Optics, and Polarization

• Intensity of Light: Power per unit area carried by a wave.

• Polarization: Orientation of the oscillations of the electric field in a light wave.

• Ray Model of Light: Treats light as traveling in straight lines (rays), useful for understanding reflection and refraction.

Course Policies and Support

• Attendance: Strongly encouraged; required for labs and exams.

• Late Work: Not accepted without prior approval; extensions must be requested in writing.

• Workload: Minimum of 12 hours per week (including class and homework).

• Academic Honesty: All work must be original; plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration are prohibited.

• Support Services: Disability resources, health and wellness, and academic support are available to all students.

Example Application

• Healthcare Application: Understanding electric currents and circuits is essential for interpreting ECGs and operating medical devices.

• Biological Application: Concepts of electric potential and fields are fundamental to nerve signal transmission.

Additional info: The syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of the course structure, expectations, and support resources, aligning with standard topics in a college-level physics sequence covering electricity, magnetism, and optics.