Undergraduate Course: Problem Solving in Physics (PHYS08031)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course is designed for pre-honours physics students, primarily to develop their problem solving skills. A key element in understanding physics is to be able to apply elementary mathematics effectively in physical applications. For this, knowledge of mathematics is not enough, one also needs familiarity and practice. The aim of this course is to help students apply the mathematics they already know to the solution of typical physics problems, developing fluency and confidence through practical problem solving.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| King's Buildings | Lecture | JCMB 5326 | 2-11 | 10:00 - 10:50 | | | | | | King's Buildings | Tutorial | JCMB 2209 | 1-11 | | 14:00 - 17:00 | | | | | King's Buildings | Tutorial | JCMB 2209 | 1-11 | | | 10:00 - 12:00 | | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours:Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 3:00 | | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 3:00 | | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, it is intended that a student will be able to:
1) understand and apply elementary mathematics to physical problems
2) to acquire fluency and confidence in basic problem solving techniques
3) to acquire the ability to interpret unfamiliar equations and in particular to be able to sketch behaviour and interpret special cases.
4) to be able to provide clear, written extended solutions to problems.
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Assessment Information
Continually assessed work, 40%
Degree examination 60% |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
&· Basic algebra: manipulating algebraic expressions, completing squares, polynomials and factor theorem, quadratic and root equations.
&· Functions: inequalities, modulus functions, exponential and logarithms, curve sketching, series expansions, harmonic potentials.
&· Geometry and trigonometry: trigonometric functions, lines and circles, conic sections.
&· Complex numbers: algebra with i, argand diagram, Euler and de-Moivre, trigonometric functions revisited.
&· Vectors and matrices: basic vector and matrix algebra, determinants, inverses, statics, friction, systems of forces, moments, resolving forces into components, Coulomb electrostatics.
&· Derivatives: differentiate standard functions, differentiate composite functions, higher derivatives, applications to simple physical problems.
&· Integrals: standard integrals, integrating by parts, integrating by substitution, applications to simple physical problems.
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | PSiP |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Kristel Torokoff
Tel: (0131 6)50 5270
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Leanne O'Donnell
Tel: (0131 6)50 7218
Email: |
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