PHYS 230 - Physical Reasoning

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-1B; Second Composition
Focus on the elements of sound physical reasoning as expressed through clear scientific writing. Students will write detailed solutions to challenging problems, summaries of research articles, and reviews of important topics of physics.

Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-1B - Lower Division Critical Thinking; Second Composition
Prerequisites: MATH 230; and PHYS 137 or PHYS 126.
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Course Typically Offered: Spring ONLY

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Write clear, grammatically correct, scientific papers explaining the solutions to complex problems and reviewing important discoveries in physics;
apply critical thinking to understand claims, evidence, and reasoning in scientific papers and express these clearly in their own writing;
solve complex, multi-step problems in physics and clearly express their scientific and mathematical reasoning through their writing;
carry out comprehensive literature searches and write clear, understandable reviews of new topics demonstrating the ability to independently learn physics.

GE-1B. Critical Thinking Learning Outcomes

Identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments.
Logically construct arguments to support and refute claims using evidence.
Reason inductively and deductively.
Distinguish matters of fact from judgments, opinions, and/or fallacies.

Second English Composition Learning Outcomes

Write for at least two different audiences (e.g. academic, general, and/or professional).
Engage in writing for specific purposes (e.g. critical thinking, analytical writing, informal writing, and/or research).
Apply critical thinking and logical reasoning in the development and organization of ideas in written texts.
Consider multiple perspectives using primary and/or secondary sources, and when appropriate, incorporate key disciplinary concepts when presenting ideas in writing.
Revise writing with critical feedback provided by the instructor at important junctures throughout the semester in order to improve development, clarity, coherence, and correctness.