Standard Course Syllabus
Physics 2210/2220
Physics for Scientists and Engineers  

Date Approved: 7 March 2008

Offered: This two-semester sequence may be started in the Fall or Spring.

 Prerequisites for this Course: Math 1210 and 1220 are corequisites for the first and second semesters, respectively.  Calculus, Algebra, and Trigonometry are used extensively throughout the course

 This course is a prerequisite for: The sequence is a corequisite for 2219/2229 Laboratory Physics.   Physics 2220 is a prerequisite for Phsx 2740 and all 3000 and 4000 level physics courses.

 Credit Hours: Four (per semester).  Five hours of lecture/discussion per week.

 Example Texts: Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick and Walker, Physics for Scientist and Engineers by Serway

 Topics Covered: First semester: Measurement.  The SI system of units.  Vectors and Scalars  Kinematics in one and two dimensions. Newton's Laws. Center of mass.  Conservation laws of energy, momentum and angular momentum. Gravity. Fluid dynamics.  Wave motion.  Thermodynamics.  Second semester: Electricity and Magnetism. DC circuits. Alternating current. Gauss's Law.  Maxwell's equations.  Electromagnetic waves.  Light and optics.  Fundamentals of several topics from modern physics including: relativity, quantum, and nuclear physics.

 Skills Emphasized: General problem solving.  Using calculus, algebra, and trigonometry to describe physical situations.  Constructing force/free-body diagrams. Using vector notation correctly.  Differentiating between inertial and non-inertial reference frames.

 Notes: This sequence is primarily intended for students in science (including math), computer science, and pre-engineering programs.