FYS100 Physics and Environment

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Gaute Tomas Einevoll

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:250 hours: 17 hours per week for 15 weeks.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in Spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Spring parallel.

About this course

Topic-based. Students work on physics topics (examples in parentheses) related to the topics: Biophysics (light, electrical fields, radioactivity), Climate (mechanics, gas laws, electromagnetic radiation), Bioenergy (the study of heat, induction, a. c.), Solar energy (atomic- and nuclear physics, electric circuits).

Contents:

  • movement (kinematics) and its cause (dynamics), with special emphasis on the idea of energy and the conservation laws of mechanics
  • the physical properties of fluids
  • the thermal properties of solids and gases and the main theorems in the study of heat
  • wave movement, light and optics
  • electricity, magnetism and electromagnetic radiation
  • simple atomic theory and radiation physics.

Learning outcome

To understand and be able to use basic ideas and laws of nature.

To acquire the scientific language and terms of the sciences.

To understand how simple principles can be used for describing complicated phenomena in nature.

To understand how physics can be applied and used for understanding biological systems, renewable energy production and climate changes.

To experience how closely interwoven the various science disciplines really are.

To become motivated to continue their studies working with a common toolbox from all disciplines of sciences.

Students are to be given an operative understanding of the most important physical ideas, the basic physical way of thinking and the ability to analyse and solve quantitative problems on:

  • movement (kinematics) and its cause (dynamics), with special emphasis on the idea of energy and the conservation laws of mechanics
  • the physical properties of fluids
  • the thermal properties of solids and gases and the main theorems in the study of heat
  • wave movement, light and optics
  • electricity, magnetism and electromagnetic radiation
  • simple atomic theory and radiation physics

The students should also be familiar with and understand central problems concerning biological physics, climate and climate change and renewable energy (solar energy and bioenergy).

Students are to be able to:

  • analyse a described problem by applying basic laws and principles of physics
  • solve calculation exercises by applying basic laws and principles of physics
  • explain how phenomena in biology and in environmental physics can be explained qualitatively on the basis of the fundamental laws and principles of physics
  • cooperate on learning and problem-solving
  • see the connection between physics and other natural sciences.

The students shall understand why an elementary knowledge of physics is necessary in order to understand and describe nature and be able to understand and analyse environmental problems.

The students are also to understand that physics and the natural sciences are man-made tools that we use to explore nature and that nature itself always is the key to an answer.

  • Working methods:

    LECTURES: going through central ideas, theory and examples. Physics demonstrations and auditorium activities.

    CALCULATION EXERCISES AND SUPERVISED COLLOQUIA: going through comprehension and calculation exercises. The assistant teacher takes part in discussion or other study work.

    LABORATORY EXERCISES: students investigate physics phenomena, study renewable energy technology and are taught how to use simple measurement equipment.

    INDEPENDENT STUDY: students work in colloquia and independently. They read and discuss theory, calculate and discuss exercises.

  • R1 eller S1+S2 from upper secondary school or MATH100.
  • Final assessment: Written examination (3.5 hours).
  • The external and internal examiner jointly prepare the exam questions and the correction manual. The external examiner reviews the internal examiner's examination results by correcting a random sample of candidates exams as a calibration according to the Department's guidelines for examination markings.
  • Laboratory assignments and assignments for submission.
  • The course is aimed at students with no previous physics knowledge who want a short and intensive introduction to physics and examples of the applications of the subject in biology and environmental topics. The course gives students, including those with no physics background, an opportunity to take certain physics courses on meteorology and climate, electronics, measurement technique and statics. The course also provides students who did not take physics in upper secondary school with the possibility of taking a course group in physics.
  • Lecture period: 13 weeks. Exam period: 2 weeks. During the lecture period, the following will take place: Lectures: 2 x 2 hours per week for 13 weeks = 52 hours, Seminars and guest lectures: 2 hours per week for 13 weeks = 26 hours, Assignment review: 2 hours per week for 14 weeks = 28 hours, Calculation and group work sessions: 2 hours x 14 weeks = 28 hours, Calculation and group work sessions for students with no background in physics: 4 hours x 14 weeks = 56 hours, Laboratory exercises: 2 x 5 hours = 10 hours (compulsory). Compulsory assignments for submission 12 x 4 hours = 48 hours.
  • Letter grades
  • Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)