Physics FAQ

Q.  How important are the math and/or physics prerequisites for a physics course?

A.  Most important!  Physics courses are designed to be taken in sequence, with the earlier courses providing the necessary foundation and background.  One of the main reasons students have difficulty with physics is lack of satisfactory completion of course prerequisites.  Since physics requires extensive problem solving, it is equally important to have a sound background in basic math, algebra (MATH 1314), and trigonometry (MATH 1316).

Q.  Will physics satisfy the science requirement for my degree plan at HCC?

A.  Yes.  All physics classes can be used to meet the core curriculum requirement for science at HCC and most universities.

Q.  Will my physics class from HCC transfer to four-year universities or other colleges?

A.  In general there is no problem with transferring HCC physics courses to other universities, but you should always check the transfer policy of your university, particularly with reqard to the laboratory component of your course.

Q.  Is physics tutoring available?

A.  Yes, every semester day and evening tutoring is offered free of charge.  The tutoring schedule will be posted in the physics lab and classroom as well as on the department web site.

Q.  Where can I obtain a copy of the course outline and other material provided by my instructor?

A.  Instructors at Southwest College are required to post the course outline and syllabus on their Learning Web site.  You should see your physics instructor's name in the upper right margin of this page which you are viewing right now.

Q.  Can I ask the instructor to add me to his or her class roster since the class is already full?

A.  No, only the department chair can give you permission to enroll in a closed class.

Q.  Can I take more than one physics class at the same time?

A.  In general, not a good idea!  Certainly not if one class is the prerequisite for the other.  Occasionally a student will retake a physics course for a better grade while simultaneously taking a later class such as College Physics II.  But in general, one should not take more than two science courses with labs in one semester.

Q.  I already took the lab as a separate course at my university.  Do I have to do the lab in my class at HCC?

A.  For College Physics I and II (PHYS 1401 and 1402), yes, since the lab for these courses is part of the course and course grade, rather than being offerred separately.  You should not have to retake the lab if you are taking University Physics I or II (PHYS 2325 or 2326) since the lab for these courses is taught separately (PHYS 2125 or 2126).

Q.  I did not do well on my final exam.  Can I get a Withdrawal (W) for the course?

A.  No.  If you complete the course, you must receive a regular letter grade.  It is therefore very important to realistically assess your situation before the withdrawal date in order to make the best decision about withdrawing.  You should meet with your instructor to get his or her opinion, and if you decide to withdraw, remember to turn in a withdrawal form at the registration office.  While we always want the best outcome, circumstances sometimes make it best to withdraw to avoid getting a low grade in the course.

Q.  I am not doing well in my class.  Can I get a grade of Incomplete and finish it next semester?

A.  In this case a Withdrawal (W) would be given.  The Incomplete ("I") is a temporary grade given only under special circumstances with department chair approval.  If a grade of I is given, no exams or labs can be repeated for a better grade.  When the missed material is made up, your instructor will calculate your course grade accordingly.  A grade of I automatically changes to a grade of F ("I/F") if the material is not made up by the end of the next semester!

Q.  Where can I get advice about taking a particular physics class?

A.  Always feel free to contact the Southwest College Natural Sciences department at (713) 718-7771 if you have any questions about a class.  It is very important to know that you are registering for the correct course with regard to your major and to clearly understand the course prerequisites and content before registering.

Q.  Physics is my worst subject!  I just can't seem to be able to learn it!

A.  No doubt, physics requires more than the usual amount of study and practice!  As noted above, satisfactory completion of the course prerequisites is very important.  Following are a few more suggestions:

• Learning physics takes time.  A reasonable guide is to allow yourself two hours of study for each hour of lecture. Heavy work and/or class loads are not compatible with learning physics!

• Attend class regularly and take generous notes during class.  Ask questions.

• When beginning a new chapter, read through it quickly the first time, just to give yourself a good feel for what it is about.  If you are really on the job you will have done this before the lecture!  You will understand what's going on in class much better if you do this.

• Next, start tackling the end of chapter problems or problem sets provided by the instructor!  Working problems facilitates understanding much better than just reading and rereading the chapter itself.  Physics is a "hands on" course - working problems is essential.  However, do not spend an inordinate amount of time on a single problem - skip it for the time being and go on to another.  Try working some of the sample exercises which are worked out in the chapter.

• You should have a good, scientific calculator that has scientific notation ("EE" or "EXP" key), log, ln, sin, cos, tan, x², etc.  Business calculators usually do not have all of these features.

• Review basic math operations such as properties of logarithms and trig functions, if you are rusty.

• Study groups can be very helpful.  Keep the group small though, no more than three or four people.

• Finally, keep a positive outlook!  Physics can be hard, but with a good attitude and approach, you will succeed in mastering it!