PHYS 115 Concepts of Physics Page 1 of 6

School of Sciences and Technology

Department of Mathematics, Physics & Technology
P.O. Box 175, Port of Spain,
Trinidad, W.I.

PHYS 115 Concepts of Physics Course Outline

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
- PHYS115 Concepts of Physics
- 3 Credits

- Class Schedule, Semester Credits, Dates, Time and Location

- What the Course is about –

This course describes the physical nature in which we live. It is not intended to be too
mathematical but rather descriptive in achieving its objectives.
- This course meets the natural science elective course requirement. Students who have a
pass in ’O’ Level Physics are not required to do this course
-
INSTRUCTORS INFORMATION
- Section 01& 02
o Instructor: Ricardo Rodriguez, M.Sc., M.Phil. PhD.(Mech.Eng.) UWI
o Rank: Assistant Professor
o Contact num.: 662-2241 ext. 2701, 727-3145
o Email: RODRIGUEZR@usc.edu.tt
o Office hours: T/R 8am – 11am; F 9-10 am
o Communication Policy: By appointment. Please call or email.

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE/COURSE RATIONALE

- Concepts of Physics fulfils the General Education science requirement, and is designed for
non-science students. The course contains key characteristics ideally suited to raise the student’s
curiosity of observations in his physical environment and assert reasonable explanations for his
observations. In this regard, the course introduces a structured approach to explaining phenomena
through detailed observation and questioning which valuable skills are across disciplines

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GOALS/AIMS

The course is designed to:

• Recap elementary mathematical and analytical skills

• Enhance critical thinking and hence improve problem solving skills
• Understand and apply the concepts learned to real life situations
• Develop the leadership skills to work collaboratively with others
• Give an appreciation for the laws of nature and the models used to describe observations
• Engage the student in laboratory activities to verify the laws of physics
• Appreciate the input of God for us in providing wisdom and knowledge.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (Modules/Unit Learning Outcomes)

By the end of this course students will be able to express and apply the concepts clearly and confidently,
and to real life situations. Students will learn the following by the end of the second semester

Module 1- INTRODUCTION to PHYSICS and MEASUREMENT

By the end of this module students will be able to
1. explain the origin and nature of physics
2. relationship between God and science and that science is knowledge while God is wisdom-
discussions and feedback sessions
3. apply knowledge of instrumentation
4. define uncertainty, precision and accuracy
5. distinguish between vector and scalar quantities

MODULE 2- Physics of moving objects

By the end of this module students will be able to
1. Define speed, Velocity, acceleration, acceleration due to gravity, force
2. State Newton’s laws of motion
3. Identify different kinds of forces in nature
4. Distinguish between mass and weight
5. Apply the above mentioned concepts and laws to the given examples
6. Validate and evaluate the given examples with the concepts that you have learned.

MODULE 3- PHYSICS of WORK and ENERGY

1. Define work , power, energy, potential energy and kinetic energy
2. State the Law of conservation of energy
3. Light and wave energy concepts

MODULE 4- Physics of Heat and temperature

By the end of this module students will be able to
1. Define heat, temperature, conduction, convection, radiation, condensation, thermal
equilibrium, evaporation, cooling effect, conductors and insulators.
2. Distinguish between temperature and heat; conductors and insulators

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3. Know the working principle of thermometers

4. Apply the above mentioned concepts
5. Validate and evaluate the given examples with the concepts that you have learned.

MODULE 5: Physics of Static and Current Electricity

By the end of this module students will be able to
1. Explain the origin of positive and negative charges
2. Distinguish between static and current electricity
3. State coulomb’s law
4. Define electric field, electric current, electric potential, resistance, electric power, electrical
energy
5. State and apply Ohm’s law
6. Validate and evaluate the given examples with the concepts that you have learned

TEACHING STRATEGIES
• Power point presentation
• Projects
• Quiz
• Tutorials
• Laboratory work
• Demonstrations and illustrations
• Youtube illustration and support

RESOURCES
▪ Text book: Conceptual Physics; eleventh edition by Paul G Hewitt
▪ Online text: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class,

ASSIGNMENTS
▪ Tutorials are based on the application of concepts learned in each module. Two tutorials. The
total contributions from tutorials will be 20%.

▪ A Group project on one of the topics in this course will be given to each group of students
contributing 20% of final mark.

▪ Mid- Semester Quiz: 20%

▪ Laboratory exercises are compulsory and will contribute in total 20% of final mark. Labs not
done by the student will be given a mark of zero. There will be no make-up labs.
▪ Individual Project on a topic from the course: 20%

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COURSE OUTLINE

WEEK UNIT ACTIVITY

1 MODULE 1 – measurement, See assessment schedule in
mass, uncertainty aeorion for all assignments.
2 MODULE 1 – precision, This includes: tutorials, mid
accuracy semester quiz, labs, projects
3 MODULE 1 – vector and scalar and individual assignments
4 Newton’s laws
5 MODULE 2- mass, inertia,
forces
6 MODULE 2 – speed,
acceleration
7 MODULE 3- work, energy,
power, light and waves
8 Energy applications
9 MODULE 4 – temp, heat, joule,
specific heat capacity
10 MODULE 5 – static, charges
11 MODULE 5 - circuits
12 Ohm’s law
13 PRESENTATION
14 PRESENTATION

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Standard)

University Policies:
• Attendance Policy/Regulations (USC Bulletin 2010-2012, pg. 15)
• Grading Policy (USC Bulletin 2010-2012, pg. 16)
• Plagiarism (USC Student Handbook, pg. 47)
• Course Policies:
Attendance
Each student is to attend each class session since absence can affect the final grade.
According to the University’s regulations, “Absences exceeding 20% of the total class hours for
the semester can result in the award of an F grade”. A regular record of class attendance will be
taken.
If you miss any classes you need to bring an excuse the day you resume classes. Further to
this, it is your duty to get all information and announcements you missed on the day you were
late or absent.

Late submission of tutorials

1. All assignments are to be submitted on Elearn. Submissions to lecturer’s email will not be
acknowledged and will not be marked.
2. Late submission of tutorials may only be accepted on a case-by-case basis and points will
be deducted. In the case of missed work, the student will receive an F grade for that
particular tutorial work.

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Presentation of projects or tutorials

All work to be graded (including quizzes) must be neat, include the USC cover page and,
clearly legible and adequately titled. Marks will be deducted for untidiness and other evidence
of careless work.

Absences at examinations
An excused absence is one for which the student submits a documented excuse from a
reliable third party stating the reason for the absence. Missing a final examination is
inexcusable. There will be no special examination.

Makeups
There is no guarantee of make-up quizzes or makeup tutorials or makeup examination or
make-up labs if a student misses one.

Laboratory Exercises
Laboratory exercises are online and can be done at any time and submitted by the end
dates as seen in aeorion.

GRADING SYSTEM (Standard)

Letter Grade Percentage Letter Grade Percentage

A 90 – 100 C+ 65 – 69
A- 85 – 89 C 60 – 64
B+ 80 – 84 C- 55 – 59
B 75 – 79 D 50 – 54
B- 70 – 74 F 0 – 49

HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE

To get a good grade in this course

• You need to be on time to class

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• Revise each days portion on the very same day

• Be attentive in the class and ask questions if you don’t understand.
• Do all tutorial questions since they are a reflection of the format of the final exam
• Don’t miss the quizzes and the labs
• You should find an online study group.
• Keep in constant communication with your instructor/ lecturer as per your progress and
problems, do not wait until the end of the semester

Undergraduate Course Outline: Revised August 2021