Hawaii Pacific University
PHYS 2030 College Physics I Section ____
Semester and year, meeting times
Instructor: Name, contact information and other relevant information about the instructor.
Course description: The first semester of an algebra-based study of mechanics, thermodynamics, and
wave phenomena with an emphasis on problem solving.
Course prerequisite: MATH 1140 or 1150
General Education Requirement: This course is classified under the Research and Epistemology Theme
and meets the requirement for a course in Research and Epistemology C: Research and Epistemology in
the Disciplines. The course has an accompanying lab, PHYS 2031, and the learning experiences provided
in that lab provide part of the justification for considering this course a Research and Epistemology in
the Disciplines course.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes and the Five Themes: HPU’s general education
curriculum is focused around five themes. This course emphasizes the Research and Epistemology
Theme and provides students with opportunities to achieve the following related general education
student learning outcomes.
Students understand the concept of epistemology, i.e., that there are various
systems of gathering /organizing /analyzing /evaluating in the process of
constructing knowledge as well as multiple ways to solve a given problem. Physics
lecture and lab explore different ways of exploring and questioning the physical
world – through direct observation, through experimentation, through modeling.
Students will utilize methods and technologies appropriate to the discipline to investigate
research questions, generate predictions, test hypotheses and/or solve problems. Students
learn to use direct observation / measurement, experimentation and modeling to
solve physics problems and research physics issues.
Students will understand the relationship between a discipline’s modes of inquiry and its
assumptions about how meaning is constructed. Through exploring the modes of inquiry
in physics (such as direct observation, experimentation, modeling, etc.) and
applying them students learn the limits of the meaning constructed from such
approaches.
Students will utilize various systems approaches or theories to comprehend global processes.
The concepts and methodologies of physics are global in scope, and used to
explore global processes such as motion, force, energy transfer, etc.
Note: Purple text shows places where specific course information must be filled in. Red text contains
explanatory notes to the instructor which should be deleted before using the syllabus. Blue explanations
above should be rephrased as needed by the individual instructor to reflect the specific approach in that
section of the course. Course specific outcomes below are an example and may also be rephrased or
modified by the instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes for PHYS 2030 College Physics I
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
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Describe the physics of basic mechanical systems mathematically. This is assessed by daily online
homework and a final. Specifically students should be able to explain the following concepts of basic
mechanics:
o Dimensional motion (Constant velocity models, position, velocity, acceleration, motion
maps and graphs)
o Motion and energy (Energy storage and transfer, energy conservation, energy pie charts,
system schema (all qualitative)
o Constant force models, force diagrams, Newton’s 2nd and 3rd laws
o Quantitative energy; solving problems with energy
o Frictional forces and energy transfers, force vs. displacement graphs
o Springs and universal gravitation, uniform circular motion
o Impulse and momentum: Force vs. time graphs, momentum vectors
o Momentum and energy, elastic and inelastic collisions, temperature & the ideal gas law
Solve basic mechanics problems using algebra. This is assessed by homework and exams.
Understand the scientific method and demonstrate scientific literacy. This is assessed by homework
and exams. Specifically students should be able to
o Ask scientific questions of their world and understand the limits of the scientific method
o Formulate and defend alternative explanations and models on the basis of evidence
o Understand the need for quantitative data and analysis in science [activities]
o Interpret quantitative data and graphs in the context of scientific articles
Understand the value of physics to a liberal arts education. This is assessed by the Semester
Inspiration.
For the rest of these required syllabus items see the details in the faculty handbook. Delete this note
once the syllabus is complete. For online courses there are some additional requirements given at this
link.
Texts List textbooks with ISBN’s and include this language as well
All textbook information (pricing, ISBN #, and e-books) for this course can be found on the HPU
Bookstore website: hpu.edu/bookstore.
If you have any questions regarding textbooks, please contact the HPU Bookstore at:
Phone:
808-544-9347
Or e-mail:
jyokota@hpu.edu
mmiyahira@hpu.edu
Assignments and mode of evaluation
Summary of important dates and deadlines (if the schedule is a separate document and due dates are
not given with the description of the assignments).
Class rules and policies (including regarding attendance, late work and academic dishonesty)
Schedule of events (may be attached separately)