A discovery course in which student groups design experiments, collect and analyze data which will help them to understand the processes of science and the basic concepts and laws of Newtonian mechanics, properties of matter, electricity and magnetism and energy, and waves. Conceptual understanding is stressed; some simple algebra is used. Mainly for elementary and middle school teacher education students.
A study of the universe as a set of interacting, evolving systems: galaxies, stars, the solar system and the Earth with its rocks, oceans and atmosphere. Study includes investigations of the matter-energy cycles in these systems and the effects of natural and human interventions upon them. In-class investigations and discovery activities and field trips are part of this course. Mainly for elementary and middle school teacher education students.
Covers a broad introduction to astronomy including a study of the Earth-Moon system, the solar system, stars, and galaxies. The course is focused on topics required in the State of Minnesota space science standards for K-6 teachers.
This course provides the basic content and concepts required for elementary and middle school teachers as outlined in the Minnesota Teacher Licensure standards. It will cover the major principles of Physical Science, including motion, waves, light, electricity, magnetism, properties of matter, chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics. Tutorials and interactive activities, and discussion of concepts demonstrating basic principles of physical science will be presented to the student for analysis, thus allowing students to construct their own meaning of higher level concepts as presented in the text.
Explores a range of topics in astronomy including objects in our solar system, stars & stellar life cycles, galaxies, and cosmology. The course will present recent discoveries and observations, as well as discuss current issues in modern astronomy including cultural conflicts over how and where astronomy is practiced.
Selected topics from introductory physics for students who wish or need an understanding of physical concepts for their professional or personal enrichment. Some hands-on activities. Topics include force and motion, energy, waves, momentum, fluid mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism. Problem solving at the level of elementary algebra.
Covers algebra-based general physics including Newtonian mechanics (motion, force, energy, momentum), harmonic motion, fluids, and thermodynamics. Students must have ease and familiarity with basic algebraic and trigonometric techniques. Includes one 2-hour laboratory per week.
Continues the study of algebra-based general physics including content in electricity and magnetism, geometric optics, sound and light waves, and selected topics in modern physics. Includes one 2-hour laboratory per week.
This course and its continuation PSC 2012 serve as a two-semester introduction to classical and modern physics using calculus. Topics include principles of classical mechanics: descriptions of motion, force, torque, and rotational motion, energy, momentum, and their conservation: fluid mechanics, simple harmonic motion, wave motion, and sound.
Introduces the principles of electricity and magnetism, geometric optics, sound and light waves, and selected topics in modern physics. This is the second course in a two-course calculus-based general physics sequence. The physical principles and applications involved in these studies tend to be more abstract than the laws of mechanics that were studied in the first course in the sequence. In this course, many of the principles studied involve forces whose effects cannot be seen directly. Some of the forces studied only affect minute, invisible particles. Students will study models of unseen events and particles using graphs, sketches, analogies, mathematics, and descriptions. They will study the effects of the laws of physics using abstract models. Includes a 2-hour laboratory per week.
Occasional or special-purpose courses in physics, electronics, history or cultural aspects of science, on a level appropriate to the freshman or sophomore student.
Occasional or special-purpose courses in physics, electronics, history or cultural aspects of science, on a level appropriate to the junior or senior student.
Occasional or special-purpose courses in physics, electronics, history or cultural aspects of science, on a level appropriate to the junior or senior student.
Students desiring to improve knowledge or expertise in one of above categories may select projects for study in depth under guidance of a department member.