Module: Physics for General Science 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Physics for General Science 1
Module Code	PHY1027 (ITS: PS132)
Faculty	Physical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the physics topics of mechanics, fluids, heat and temperature for general science and sport science students. The module aims to help students develop their understanding of concepts and applications of physics, their ability to confidently handle physics problems using algebra-based methods, and to develop transferable laboratory and communication skills.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and apply basic physical concepts as they relate to mechanics, fluids and heat and temperature
2. Solve numerical problems in mechanics, fluids, and heat and temperature
3. Describe, apply and explain in detail the concepts of speed and acceleration, force, work and energy, impulse and momentum; density, pressure, volume, and temperature
4. Explain the physical principles which underpin associated laboratory experiments

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Lecture attendance
Online activity	12	Pre-lecture reading
Assignment Completion	24	Homework assignments
Laboratory	36	Guided inquiry physics tasks
Online activity	6	Laboratory Pretests and Prelabs
Independent Study	76	Individual study time
Total Workload: 190

Section Breakdown
CRN	11358	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Paul Van Kampen	Module Teacher	Cezar Gaman, James Conway, Jens Ducree, Miles Turner, Timo Gans

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Laboratory Portfolio	Laboratory pretests, prelabs, and exam	35%	As required
Assignment	Online pre-lecture assignments and homework exercises	15%	Every Week
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Foundations
Nature of science; proportional reasoning; graphing; reasoning skills

Laboratory skills
Designing, implementing, critiquing experiments. Measurement and uncertainty. Graphing and tabulation. Reporting.

Motion
Distance, time, speed, acceleration; uniform and uniformly accelerated motion; 1-D and 2-D motion.

Interactions
Forces, Newton's laws of motion, free-body diagrams. Impulse and momentum. Work and energy.

Rotation
Statics, angular motion, torque.

Properties of matter
Fluid dynamics, elasticity in solids, viscosity and surface tension in fluids

Thermal Physics
Heat and temperature, kinetic theory of gases, laws of thermodynamics

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Giambattista: 2019, Physics, 5th Edition, McGrawHill, (online e-text),
OpenStax: 2021, College Physics, https://openstax.org/details/books/college-physics,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None