2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

PHYS 203 Physics I (Lec/Lab)

A calculus-based introduction to physics including Newton's laws, energy, linear and angular momentum, conservation laws, simple harmonic motion, and thermodynamics.

Credits

4/1

Prerequisite

MATH 251

Offered

Spring

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Quantify motion using vectors.
  2. Identify properties of waves.
  3. Explain different fluid properties.
  4. Explain and apply the Archimedes' Principle of Buoyancy.
  5. Explain the first law of thermodynamics.
  6. Explain the Carnot Cycle.
  7. Characterize motion using kinematic equations.
  8. Draw free-body diagrams.
  9. Describe and compute different forces (friction, tension, gravitational, etc.) and net force.
  10. Explain and apply Newton's laws of motion.
  11. Describe and quantify momentum and its exchange in collisions.
  12. Understand conservation of energy principles as well as specific types of energy (linear kinetic, rotational kinetic, gravitational potential, spring potential).
  13. Compute quantities involving exchange of energy and momentum.
  14. Understand rotational motion and moment of inertia.