Download Physical Science Degree

Physical Science
Associate in Science Degree
Purpose: To provide a background in physical science or to prepare students for transfer into chemistry, geology, physics, and engineering fouryear programs. These four-year programs require more courses than the minimum program given here. The major also provides valuable
background for physical science technicians and engineering aides.
Degree Outcomes:
1. Recognize and utilize correctly the terminology of math, statistics and/or science.
2. Analyze and interpret data using quantitative and qualitative methods.
Course
Course SLO
MATH
5A
C.Interpret and analyze information to develop strategies for solving
problems involving related rates, optimization, and approximation by
linear models including translating problems from the physical, life,
and social sciences into workable mathematical form.
A.Evaluate definite integrals using the fundamental theorem of
calculus and relate definite integrals to areas and Riemann sums
MATH
5B
B.Apply the use of integrals to problems involving volumes of solids,
arc length, surface area, and other applications from science and/or
engineering.
C.Find antiderivatives using a variety of techniques of integration.
D.Determine the convergence or divergence of infinite series by using
appropriate tests and use infinite series to find polynomial
representations of transcendental functions.
E.Analyze conic sections and mathematical relationships given in
Assessment
Assignments and/
or Instruments:
(direct/indirect,
tools used, etc.)
Assessment Results:
What did members of your
program learn from the
assessment of the
outcome? Did the
assessment work, and if
not, what needs to be
revised?
Action Plan:
Based on the
assessment results,
what changes, if any,
are planned to increase
student success? When
will they be
implemented?
Course
Course SLO
parametric and polar forms.
CHEM
1A
A.Collect and analyze data in the laboratory and have reasonable
conclusions.
B.Utilize the periodic table in calculations and analyses involving
molecules and compounds.
C.Apply math skills to solve chemical problems.
CHEM
3A
A.Use dimensional analysis to solve for an unknown parameter of
density, volume, mass, pressure, temperature, molar mass,
concentration, or an empirical formula.
B.Construct and balance a chemical reaction and use the reaction to
predict stoichiometric quantities.
C.Explain concepts from the periodic table and the use the periodic
table to solve chemical problems.
D.Describe acid-base reactions and how to calculate pH.
E.Name and draw Lewis diagrams of inorganic and molecular
compounds from the formula and vice versa.
F.Safely conduct laboratory experiments implementing concepts and
Assessment
Assignments and/
or Instruments:
(direct/indirect,
tools used, etc.)
Assessment Results:
What did members of your
program learn from the
assessment of the
outcome? Did the
assessment work, and if
not, what needs to be
revised?
Action Plan:
Based on the
assessment results,
what changes, if any,
are planned to increase
student success? When
will they be
implemented?
Course
Course SLO
principles learned in lecture
CHEM
1B
A.Solve and explain chemical kinetics and mechanisms problems;
B.Solve and explain chemical equilibrium questions including but not
limited to acid/base and pH concepts;
C.Solve and explain problems on thermodynamic concepts;
D.Solve and explain problems on electrochemical concepts;
E.Explain the fundamental concepts of nuclear chemistry;
F.Demonstrate general chemistry skills in the laboratory including
qualitative analysis.
CHEM
8
A.Solve and explain chemical kinetics and mechanisms problems;
B.Solve and explain chemical equilibrium questions including but not
limited to acid/base and pH concepts;
C.Solve and explain problems on thermodynamic concepts;
D.Solve and explain problems on electrochemical concepts;
Assessment
Assignments and/
or Instruments:
(direct/indirect,
tools used, etc.)
Assessment Results:
What did members of your
program learn from the
assessment of the
outcome? Did the
assessment work, and if
not, what needs to be
revised?
Action Plan:
Based on the
assessment results,
what changes, if any,
are planned to increase
student success? When
will they be
implemented?
Course
Course SLO
E.Explain the fundamental concepts of nuclear chemistry;
F.Demonstrate general chemistry skills in the laboratory including
qualitative analysis.
PHYS
2A
A.Apply algebra and trigonometry to solve physical problems in
topics such as:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Kinematics
Vector quantities
Newton’s Laws
Conservation of energy and momentum
Rotating bodies
Gravity
Oscillatory motion
Mechanical waves
Heat and Temperature
Thermodynamics
B.Apply knowledge in the areas of mechanics, properties of matter,
heat, sound and waves in other science related courses
PHYS
2B
A.Apply algebra and trigonometry to solve physical problems in the
following topics:
o
o
o
Electrostatics
Electric Fields
Electric Potential
Assessment
Assignments and/
or Instruments:
(direct/indirect,
tools used, etc.)
Assessment Results:
What did members of your
program learn from the
assessment of the
outcome? Did the
assessment work, and if
not, what needs to be
revised?
Action Plan:
Based on the
assessment results,
what changes, if any,
are planned to increase
student success? When
will they be
implemented?
Course
Course SLO
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
PHYS
4A
Capacitance
Electric Circuits
Magnetism
Electromagnetic Induction
Electromagnetic waves
Optics
Modern Physics
A.Apply algebra, trigonometry, and first-year calculus to solve
physical problems such as:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Kinematic equations
Vector quantities
Newton’s Laws
Conservation of energy and momentum
Rotating bodies
Gravity
Oscillatory motion
Mechanical waves
B.Identify the complementary roles of experimental investigation and
theoretical explanation in science.
C.Apply dimensional analysis to determine the units for an unknown
quantity or to check the validity of equations.
D.Correctly report the units of an observable when it is measured or
calculated.
E.Distinguish between important physical observables, such as mass
and weight or speed and velocity
Assessment
Assignments and/
or Instruments:
(direct/indirect,
tools used, etc.)
Assessment Results:
What did members of your
program learn from the
assessment of the
outcome? Did the
assessment work, and if
not, what needs to be
revised?
Action Plan:
Based on the
assessment results,
what changes, if any,
are planned to increase
student success? When
will they be
implemented?
Course
PHYS
4B
Course SLO
A.apply basic concepts and fundamental laws in thermodynamics,
electricity, and magnetism.
B.solve problems in thermal expansion.
C.differentiate the heat transfer mechanisms of conduction,
convection, and radiation.
D.apply the First Law of Thermodynamics.
E.understand the relationship between temperature and molecular
kinetic energy.
F.apply basic concepts and fundamental laws in electricity and
magnetism.
G.calculate the electric potential of various charge configurations.
H.relate electric field and electric potential.
I.determine the capacitance of various electrical systems.
Jsolve basic problems involving electrical circuits
PHYS
4C
A.solve problems within these topics of classical physics:
o
basic concepts in the theory of electromagnetic
waves, optics, and modern physics.
Assessment
Assignments and/
or Instruments:
(direct/indirect,
tools used, etc.)
Assessment Results:
What did members of your
program learn from the
assessment of the
outcome? Did the
assessment work, and if
not, what needs to be
revised?
Action Plan:
Based on the
assessment results,
what changes, if any,
are planned to increase
student success? When
will they be
implemented?
Course
Course SLO
o
o
o
o
o
Assessment
Assignments and/
or Instruments:
(direct/indirect,
tools used, etc.)
Assessment Results:
What did members of your
program learn from the
assessment of the
outcome? Did the
assessment work, and if
not, what needs to be
revised?
Action Plan:
Based on the
assessment results,
what changes, if any,
are planned to increase
student success? When
will they be
implemented?
Maxwell’s Equations of electromagnetism.
the propagation of light.
the formation of images using lenses and mirrors.
interference in thin films.
the wavelength of light using a diffraction
grating.
B.Solve problems within these topics of modern physics:
o
o
o
basic concepts of relativity and quantum theory.
basic concepts of atomic and nuclear interactions
basic concepts of condensed matter physics
Faculty: Jim Gilmore, Doug Gong, Keith Hughes, Maria Kelly, Cindy Montgomery, Lina Obeid, Conrad Perez, Ron Reimer, Walid Tayar, Marvin
Watts, William Allen, Bill Blanken, Veronica Cornell, Derek Dormandy, Shawn Fleming Lauren Novatne, Tony Abbott, Jason Gardner, Roger
Hitchcock.
MATH 5A:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Determine limits and continuity using graphical, analytical, and tabular techniques.
Explain and apply the techniques of differential calculus to construct derivatives graphically, numerically, and analytically.
Interpret and analyze information to develop strategies for solving problems involving related rates, optimization, and approximation by linear models including
translating problems from the physical, life, and social sciences into workable mathematical form.
Compute anti-derivatives of functions, relate definite integrals to areas, and evaluate definite integrals using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
MATH 5B:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Evaluate definite integrals using the fundamental theorem of calculus and relate definite integrals to areas and Riemann sums
Apply the use of integrals to problems involving volumes of solids, arc length, surface area, and other applications from science and/or engineering.
Find antiderivatives using a variety of techniques of integration.
Determine the convergence or divergence of infinite series by using appropriate tests and use infinite series to find polynomial representations of transcendental
functions.
Analyze conic sections and mathematical relationships given in parametric and polar forms.
CHEM 1A:
A.
B.
C.
Collect and analyze data in the laboratory and have reasonable conclusions.
Utilize the periodic table in calculations and analyses involving molecules and compounds.
Apply math skills to solve chemical problems.
CHEM 3A:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Use dimensional analysis to solve for an unknown parameter of density, volume, mass, pressure, temperature, molar mass, concentration, or an empirical formula.
Construct and balance a chemical reaction and use the reaction to predict stoichiometric quantities.
Explain concepts from the periodic table and the use the periodic table to solve chemical problems.
Describe acid-base reactions and how to calculate pH.
Name and draw Lewis diagrams of inorganic and molecular compounds from the formula and vice versa.
Safely conduct laboratory experiments implementing concepts and principles learned in lecture
CHEM 1B:
A.
B.
Solve and explain chemical kinetics and mechanisms problems;
Solve and explain chemical equilibrium questions including but not limited to acid/base and pH concepts;
C.
D.
E.
F.
Solve and explain problems on thermodynamic concepts;
Solve and explain problems on electrochemical concepts;
Explain the fundamental concepts of nuclear chemistry;
Demonstrate general chemistry skills in the laboratory including qualitative analysis.
CHEM 8:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Draw a structural formula of an organic compound given the systematical name.
Analyze the structural formula of an organic compound, recognize its functional groups and name it properly.
Identify S and R stereoisomers.
Complete the reactions of simple aliphatic and aromatic molecules, showing the reaction mechanisms.
Analyze simple IR and NMR spectra to determine the structure of an unknown compound.
PHYS 2A:
B.
C.
Apply algebra and trigonometry to solve physical problems in topics such as:
o Kinematics
o Vector quantities
o Newton’s Laws
o Conservation of energy and momentum
o Rotating bodies
o Gravity
o Oscillatory motion
o Mechanical waves
o Heat and Temperature
o Thermodynamics
Apply knowledge in the areas of mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound and waves in other science related courses
PHYS 2B:
B.
Apply algebra and trigonometry to solve physical problems in the following topics:
o Electrostatics
o Electric Fields
o Electric Potential
o Capacitance
o Electric Circuits
o Magnetism
o Electromagnetic Induction
o Electromagnetic waves
o Optics
o Modern Physics
PHYS 4A:
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Apply algebra, trigonometry, and first-year calculus to solve physical problems such as:
o Kinematic equations
o Vector quantities
o Newton’s Laws
o Conservation of energy and momentum
o Rotating bodies
o Gravity
o Oscillatory motion
o Mechanical waves
Identify the complementary roles of experimental investigation and theoretical explanation in science.
Apply dimensional analysis to determine the units for an unknown quantity or to check the validity of equations.
Correctly report the units of an observable when it is measured or calculated.
Distinguish between important physical observables, such as mass and weight or speed and velocity
PHYS 4B:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
apply basic concepts and fundamental laws in thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism.
solve problems in thermal expansion.
differentiate the heat transfer mechanisms of conduction, convection, and radiation.
apply the First Law of Thermodynamics.
understand the relationship between temperature and molecular kinetic energy.
apply basic concepts and fundamental laws in electricity and magnetism.
calculate the electric potential of various charge configurations.
relate electric field and electric potential.
determine the capacitance of various electrical systems.
solve basic problems involving electrical circuits
PHYS 4C:
B.
C.
solve problems within these topics of classical physics:
o basic concepts in the theory of electromagnetic waves, optics, and modern physics.
o Maxwell’s Equations of electromagnetism.
o the propagation of light.
o the formation of images using lenses and mirrors.
o interference in thin films.
o the wavelength of light using a diffraction grating.
Solve problems within these topics of modern physics:
o basic concepts of relativity and quantum theory.
o basic concepts of atomic and nuclear interactions
o basic concepts of condensed matter physics
REEDLEY COLLEGE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students graduating with an associate degree from Reedley College will be able to meet the following student learning outcomes:
Communication Skills
 Interpret various types of written, visual, and verbal information.

Organize ideas and communicate precisely and clearly to express complex thoughts both orally and in writing.
Critical Thinking and Information Literacy
 Analyze quantitative information and apply scientific methodologies.

Employ critical and creative modes of inquiry to solve problems, explore alternatives, and make decisions.

Synthesize researched information obtained from accurate, credible, and relevant sources to support, advance, or rebut an opinion.
Global and Community Literacy
 Analyze the fine arts, humanities, and social sciences from cultural, historic, and aesthetic perspectives.

Apply historical and contemporary issues and events to civic and social responsibility.

Demonstrate sensitive and respectful treatment of a variety of ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Personal Development
 Assess current knowledge, skills, and abilities to further develop them and apply them to new situations.

Incorporate physical and emotional principles to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Make ethical personal and professional choices.