Physics for Engineers

The course is the second part of the first year engineering Physics sequence. It aims to provide a foundation in the concepts and mathematics of physical phenomena within the context of vibrations and waves, and electromagnetism, and features the topics of electric charge, electric field, Gauss' law, electric potential, capacitance, current, current density, emf, resistance, resistivity, networks, the magnetic field, Biot-Savart Law, Ampere's Law, electromagnetic induction, inductance, simple harmonic motion, damped osillations, resonance, travelling waves, phase velocity, superposition, standing waves, sound waves, sound intensity, Dopper effect, interference diffraction.

DP requirements: An average of at least 40% for class record, including 50% for laboratories.

Assessment: Class record (weekly problem sets, class tests and laboratory record) counts 50%; one 2-hour examination counts 50%. Although a supplementary examination is usually granted for a final grade in the range 45-49%, a supplementary examination may also be granted for certain key courses in the range 40-44% under conditions agreed to by the Deans of EBE and Science, normally involving a mandatory pre-supp tutoring and revision programme.

The University of Cape Town awards credits based on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to determine course and contact hour recommendations per course. 1 NQF credit represents roughly 10 notional hours of work which includes study time, assignments and examinations. Notional hours may very per courses depending on the course level and modality therefore, CEA recommends using NQF credits as a basis to determine U.S. equivalencies (1 NQF=.222 semester credits)