Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course will be conducted in a format combining remote and in-person elements. Lectures will take place remotely over Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lectures will combine traditional discussions of the material with active-learning activities using online simulations, Zoom poll questions, and real-world case studies. 

Labs will take place in-person on Wednesdays. Labs will give students a chance to conduct experiments and learn physics from a "hands-on" perspective. Two midterm exams will be administered in-person on Wednesdays during week 4 and week 8 in place of lab.

The textbook for this course is Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Randall Knight. Since older editions of the textbook are often much cheaper, the course has been designed to accommodate all editions of the textbook, greatly reducing the cost for students. If students have another textbook from a previous physics class it also may work for this class. Please email the instructor before the term starts to check textbook compatibility. 

This course will prepare students to analyze and solve problems like a physicist, using relevant physical laws and theories as well as knowledge of algebra and calculus. PHY213 covers electricity and magnetism, the course will begin with a basic understanding of electric charge, then will explore electric fields and circuits, and finally will conclude with magnetism and study of modern electromagnetic innovations such as the electric motor, wireless charging, and induction cooktops.

This course will also give students practical experience conducting laboratory experiments and writing scientific lab reports, both of which are essential skills for any future career path they intend to follow.