Nancy L. Donaldson, PhD

Rockhurst University

Physics Concepts and Connections I—with Lab

Physics Concepts and Connections I (PH 1700/1710) is a first semester college physics course for pre-therapy majors (PT, OT, CSD).  We learn physics principles in a deeply conceptual way using inquiry, computer interface equipment and constructivist activities.  Students are encouraged to relate physics principles learned to their area of career interest through a final project. 

Physics Concepts and Connections II (PH 1750/1760) is primarily populated by Pre-PT students planning to enter a Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduate Program.  As such, all physics principles—both mathematical and conceptual—are related to the physics of the body.

Physics Concepts and Connections II—with Lab

MY COURSES

Phascination of Physics

Phascination of Physics (PH 2300/2310) is a one semester physics course designed for non-science majors.  The course is taught with a hands-on, inquiry-based pedagogy studying principles of waves & sound, light and color and current electricity.  The course culmination is the development of a Haunted Physics Laboratory (see pictures on Haunted Physics webpage.)

Optics

PH 4400:  This course covers both the geometric and physical properties of optical principles including optics of the eye, lasers, fiber optics, and use of endoscopy in medicine.  Students will complete a final optics research project in which they relate content learned to an area of optics research.

General Physics I

PH 2800:  Principles of Newtonian mechanics and introduction to fluids employing calculus as needed and emphasizing the scientific methods and physical reasoning.  As this course if most often populated by pre-med students, biomedical applications are applied to physics concepts and problem solving.

General Physics II

PH 2900: Principles of thermodynamics, classical electricity, magnetism, waves and geometric optics, emphasizing the scientific methods and physical reasoning.  As this course if most often populated by pre-med students, biomedical applications are applied to physics concepts and problem solving.

Physics of the Body I

PH 3200: This course expands on the physics principles developed in introductory physics courses through an in-depth study of mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics as they are applied to the human body.  Areas of study include the following:  biomechanics (torque, force, motion and lever systems of the body; application of vector analysis of human movement to video), thermodynamics and heat transfer (food intake and mechanical efficiency) and the pulmonary system (pressure, volume and compliance relationships). Guest speakers from the medical community will be invited.

Physics of the Body II

PH 3210:  This course is a continuation of Physics of the Body I with a concentration on the cardiovascular system, electricity and wave motion.  Areas of study include the following:  cardiovascular system (heart as a force pump, blood flow and pressure), electricity in the body (action potentials, resistance-capacitance circuit of nerve impulse propagation, EEG, EKG, EMG), and sound (hearing, voice production, sound transfer and impedance, ultrasound – transmission and reflection). In addition, students complete a guided, in-depth, individual investigation on a topic pertinent to Physics of the Body.  Guest speakers from the medical community will be invited.

Physics of Health Care Instrumentation

PH 3240:  This course focuses on an introduction to areas of modern physics required for an understanding of contemporary medical diagnostic and treatment procedures.  Topics include a focus on the physics underlying modern medical imaging instruments:  the EM Spectrum, X-Ray, CT, Gamma Camera, SPECT, PET, MRI and hybrid instrumentation.   In this course, students learn about the physics involved in how these diagnostic and therapeutic instruments work as well as the numerous physics and patient factors that contribute to the choice of instrument for diagnosis.  There will be field trips to local hospitals and medical imaging facilities and invited guest speakers.