Module: Physics for Science Teachers 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Physics for Science Teachers 1
Module Code	PHY1038 (ITS: PS220)
Faculty	Physical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the physics topic of mechanics. 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
2. Solve numerical problems in mechanics
3. Describe, apply and explain in detail the concepts of speed and acceleration, force, work and energy, impulse and momentum
4. Explain the physical principles which underpin associated laboratory experiments

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	18	Lecture attendance
Online activity	6	Pre-lecture reading
Assignment Completion	12	Homework assignments
Laboratory	30	Guided inquiry physics tasks
Online activity	6	Laboratory Pretests and Prelabs
Independent Study	53	Individual study time
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11957	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		Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Laboratory Portfolio	Laboratory pretests, prelabs, and exam	30%	As required
Assignment	Online pre-lecture assignments and homework exercises	20%	n/a
Formal Examination	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.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Giambattista: 2019, Physics, 5th Edition, McGrawHill, (online e-text),
OpenStax: 0, College Physics, https://cnx.org/contents/Ax2o07Ul@16.17:HR_VN3f7@6/Introduction-to-Science-and-the-Realm-of-Physics-Physical-Quantities-and-Units,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None