An Overview of First-Year Physics & Astronomy Courses
These courses build an understanding of the fundamental principles underlying physical phenomena and develop the ability to describe these phenomena both in words and through mathematics.
PHYS 1000H: Foundations of Physics
This course builds foundational tools for understanding the motion of matter, including the development of related mathematical skills. This course provides an entry point for students without high school physics experience.
Course format: Three lecture hours per week plus two hours of tutorial per week.
PHYS 1001H and PHYS 1002H: Introductory Physics I and II
These courses build foundational tools for understanding the motion of matter, including gravitational, electric, and magnetic forces, as well as properties of light and a taste of quantum physics. These courses are the launch point for degrees in physics, chemistry, and related fields.
Course format: Three lecture hours per week plus three additional hours per week devoted to laboratory or tutorial activities in alternating weeks.
PHYS 1060H: Physics for the Life Sciences
This course addresses the role physics plays in biological processes and is designed for students in the life sciences.
Course format: Three lecture hours per week plus two hours of tutorial per week.
PHYS 1510H and PHYS 1520H: Introductory Astronomy I and II
These courses discuss both established knowledge and recent developments in our understanding of the universe in which we live. These are science-credit courses suitable for both science and non-science majors with no required scientific background.
Course format: Two lecture hours per week plus weekly evening observing sessions.
For further details, please see the Academic Calendar and/or feel free to send questions to physics@trentu.ca.