Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division: Math and Science
Course Prefix and number: PHYS 172
Course Title: Electricity & Magnetism
DATE PREPARED:
February, 1997
DATE REVISED:
August, 2003
PCS/CIP/ID NO.: 1.1400801-01
IAI NO. (if available): EGR 912
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS:
CREDIT HOURS: 4
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS: 4
LABORATORY HOURS: 2
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite: PHYS 171 and credit or concurrent enrollment in MATH 163.
This is the second course in a calculus-based physics sequence for students in engineering,
mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Topics include Coulomb’s Law, electric fields, Gauss’s
Law, electric potential, capacitance, circuits, magnetic forces and fields, Amperes law, induction,
electromagnetic waves, polarization, and geometrical optics. Laboratory activities stress
development of measurement, observational, and analytical skills, and are based on lecture
topics. Students will not receive credit for both PHYS 172 and PHYS 162.
TEXTBOOK(S):
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Fifth Edition, Tipler.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
PHYS 172 fulfills 4 of the 7(A.A.) or 8(A.S.) semester hours of credit in the Life/Physical
Sciences required for the A.A. or A.S. degree. It also satisfies the laboratory requirement for the
A.A. degree. PHYS 172 should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities
participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer
information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at
www.itransfer.org
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes)
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
apply the following physics concepts to solve
problems based on physical situations and explain
theoretical concepts.
 Coulomb’s Law
 Electric Fields for Discrete and Continuous
Charge Distributions
 Electric Potential
 Electrostatic Energy and Capacitance
 Electric Current, Circuits, and Kirchoff’s Rules
 Magnetic Field
 Magnetic Induction
 Alternating-Current Circuits
 Properties of Light
 Interference and Diffraction
analyze physical data, integrate concepts, formulate a
method of solution, and clearly articulate the method
of solution and why it was chosen
PS3, CT3
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

Homework
Tests
Laboratory
assignments


Rubric
Student self/peer
assessment
Homework
Tests
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
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Coulomb’s Law & Electric Fields
Electric Potential
Capacitance
Circuits
Magnetic Fields & Forces
Induction & Faraday’s Law
Electromagnetic Waves
Polarization
Geometrical Optics
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Methods of evaluation will include homework problems (30%), laboratory reports (15%), exams
(30%), and a comprehensive final exam (25%).
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
There will be reading assignments from the textbook to be read prior to discussion in class. It is
essential that students be able to clearly describe not only how a solution was obtained, but also
what the solution means. Therefore, writing will be important in the homework assignments,
exams and particularly for the laboratory reports.