Advanced Physics Programs
This short introduction describes the advanced physics classes that are offered at HCCS: AP
Physics 1&2, AP Physics C, and Olympiad Physics.
AP Physics 1&2 (物理 AP 1&2)
This two hour program is an accelerated physics course. The objective of this course is to teach
students high school advanced-level physics to help them prepare for the AP Physics 1 and 2 –
Mechanics and Electromagnetism exams. The target students are those who are at least 13 or in
grade 8 with no physics background required. After taking this course, they can go to their high
school to register for the AP Physics 1 and 2. They can continue their physics study at HCCS by
taking AP Physics C or “Olympiad Physics”, or pursue other subjects to study at their high
school. The student must be self-motivated and have a strong interest in learning physics.
Age requirement: At least 13 years old or in grade 8
Limit of enrollments: 20
AP Physics C (物理 AP C)
This one and a half hour program is an accelerated physics course. The objective of this course is
to teach students high school advanced-level physics to help them prepare for the AP Physics C
exam. The target students are those who are at least 13 or in grade 8 with no physics background
required. After taking this course, they can go to their high school to register for the AP Physics
C exam (AP Physics C Mechanics and Electromagnetism exams can be taken separately). They
can continue their physics study at HCCS by taking “Olympiad Physics” or pursue other subjects
to study at their high school. The student must be self-motivated and have a strong interest in
learning physics.
Age requirement: At least 13 years old or in grade 8
Limit of enrollments: 20
Olympiad Physics – (物理竞赛)
This one hour course presents subject material, study guidance, and problem-solving techniques
with illustrative problems seen on Olympiad exams. The objective of this course is to offer
students unique opportunities to expand their physics background and enhance their problemsolving skills in preparation for the F=ma exam and USA Physics Olympiad exam. The target
students are those who are at least 13 or in grade 8 and are planning to take the F=ma exam and
USA Physics Olympiad exam. Students must have a minimum physics background at the level
of AP Physics 1 and 2 and know basic differentiation and integration. The student must be selfmotivated and have a strong interest in learning physics.
Age requirement: At least 13 years old or in grade 8
Limit of enrollments: 20
Road Map
Here is a typical road map for students who participate in the advanced physics program:
Month
/Grades
8-10
8-11
9-12
Sep
Oct
Nov
AP Physics
1&2
AP Physics C
Olympiad
Physics
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
F=ma
contest
F=ma
contest
USA Physics
Olympiad Exam
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
AP 1,2
Test
AP
Mechanics
C Test
AP
Electricity
and
Magnetism
Test
Syllabus
Week
AP Physics 1 &2
AP Physics C
Olympiad Physics
1
Kinematics
Vectors
Introduction
Introductory differential and
integral calculus
Classical Mechanics
Kinematics 1D
Classical Mechanics
2
3
Dynamics
4
Classical Mechanics
5
Circular Motion
Kinematics 2D
Classical Mechanics
6
Gravitation
Dynamics
Classical Mechanics
7
Energy
Classical Mechanics
Aug
8
Momentum
Work & Energy
9
Electricity and Magnetism
Electricity and Magnetism
10
Simple Harmonic Motion Momentum
Electricity and Magnetism
11
Waves
Electricity and Magnetism
12
Sound
13
Mechanics Review
14
Mechanics Exam
Gravitation
Relativity
15
E- Force & Field
Simple Harmonic Motion
Relativity
16
E- Potential & Energy
Mechanics Review
F=ma exam Review
Mechanics Exam
F=ma exam Review
Coulomb’s Law; E- Charge &
Force
Thermodynamics and Fluids
17
Rotational Motion
Electricity and Magnetism
Electricity and Magnetism
18
Circuits
19
Magnetism
20
E-M Induction
Gauss’ Law
Thermodynamics and Fluids
21
E-M Waves
Electric Potential
Thermodynamics and Fluids
22
Quantum Mechanics
Electric Current & Circuits
Thermodynamics and Fluids
23
Atomic & Nuclear
Physics
24
Optics
Magnetic Field & Force
USAPhO Review
25
Fluids Mechanics
Sources of Magnetic Force
Waves and Optics
26
Thermodynamics
Electromagnetic Induction
Waves and Optics
Inductance
Waves and Optics
27
Thermodynamics and Fluids
USAPhO Review
28
E&M Review
E&M Review
Nuclear and Atomic Physics
29
E&M Exams
E&M Exam
Nuclear and Atomic Physics
30
AP Test
AP Test
Nuclear and Atomic Physics
31
Teaching Staff
Teacher: Dr. Guowei Zhang obtained his bachelor’s degree in Physics from Peking University
and PhD from the University of Ottawa. Dr. Zhang has been working as a medical physicist
since 2003 in Radiation Oncology at the University of Maryland Medical Center and
Georgetown University Hospital. He has taught physics as a full-time staff member for four
years at high school level, five years at undergraduate and graduate levels, and has been a
physics laboratory instructor for five years in Canada on a part-time basis. He has kept tutoring
activities with high school students active for many years.
Teaching Assistant: Kevin Huang is currently a junior student at Centennial High School. He has
self-studied physics since 8th grade, and passed both AP Physics C exams with a score of 5. He
has competed in the U.S. Physics Olympiad where he placed as a Silver Medalist which ranks
him in the top 100 physics students in the nation. He is in the top 6 physics students in Maryland,
being the only student from Howard County. He is preparing for another attempt for an even
better ranking.