The course will be presented using problem sessions, small group activities, practical demonstrations and online activities. When the nature of the experiment permits, laboratory experiments will be integrated with online discussions for analysis of the results. More formal lab sessions will be conducted for those experiments having safety implications. Projects and homework will be assigned to be done individually or in small groups and may require the use of the student computer labs.
Specific course content will be selected from the following topics:
The scientific method. Organization of science, describing the physical world, measurements, direct and inverse relationships, graphical analysis, SI system of units, scientific notation.
Kinetics. Speed and velocity, acceleration, forces and motion, inertia; Newton’s Laws of Motion; friction, momentum, conservation laws, work, kinetic energy, power, simple machines; gravitation, projectile motion, circular motion.
Heat and Thermodynamics. Heat and temperature, changes of phase, heat transfer, greenhouse effect and consequences for power generation and thermal pollution.
Atoms, elements and compounds. Early experiments, fundamental particles, isotopes, Bohr model, lasers, compounds and mixtures, states of matter, properties of gases, liquids, solids and liquid crystals. Periodic table, metals and non-metals, types of bonding, equations, ionic compounds, covalent compounds.
Principles and Applications of Chemistry. Acids and bases, acid rain, air pollution, batteries, soaps and detergents.
Electricity and Magnetism. Static electricity, Coulomb’s Law, electric fields, electric circuits, resistance, Ohm’s Law, power. Magnetism, magnetic fields, connection between electricity and magnetism, induction, electric motors and generators.
Properties and Nature of Light. Speed of light, reflection, mirrors, refraction, lenses, telescopes. Nature of light: wave or particle? Diffraction grating, spectral analysis, electromagnetic spectrum, polarized light.
The Nucleus. Structure of the nucleus, isotopes, radioactivity, radioactive decay, radiometric dating, nuclear fission, fusion, nuclear reactors, environmental issues.
The laboratory component of the course will investigate phenomena discussed in classes.
This course is taught from a pedagogical perspective with the overarching aim of improving experienced teachers’ ability to teach sciences at the elementary and middle school levels. Students will be able to:
- Outline how scientific knowledge is acquired, organized and retrieved.
- Understand the major paradigm shifts of the last two millennia (energy, matter, atomic structure, electromagnetic waves and modern quantum physics).
- Explain how energy is generated.
- Discuss relevance of understanding of energy to current environmental issues.
- Describe and understand the progression of physics and chemistry content through BC K-9 curriculum.
- Use knowledge of common misconceptions and stumbling blocks in children's learning of physics and chemistry concepts to assess curricular materials and design appropriate lessons and activities.
Specific course evaluation procedures will be provided to participants in the first week of classes. Such procedures will be consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy and will be formative in nature, consisting of some or all of the following:
| Weekly online postings/responses | 20-30% |
| Assignments | 20-30% |
| Presentations | 20-30% |
| Laboratory sessions | 20-30% |
| 100% |
One or more of:
- Hewitt, L. A., Hewitt, P. G., Suchocki, J. Conceptual Physical Science. (ISBN-13: 978-0-321-75334-2)
- Di Giuseppe, M. Ed. Science Education. (ISBN-13: 978-0-17-634014-8)
- Muller, Richard. Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines. (ISBN-10: 0393066274, ISBN-13: 978-0-393-06627-2)
Alternate texts may be selected by the instructor.
Acceptance to program