Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
PHYS1240 Physics by inquiry (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Dr F K Chow, Physics < judychow@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr F K Chow,Physics)
Course Objectives This course aims at providing students a solid background and knowledge in physics as well as its connection with our daily life phenomena and activities. It is targeted to those with little physics background and is conducted with no descriptions in differential and integral calculus.  After completing this course, interested students may move on to take PHYS1150 or PHYS1250.
Course Contents & Topics The course has a general coverage in most physics topics and is conducted with no descriptions in differential and integral calculus. Emphasis will be stressed on the understanding of various physical phenomena in daily life through qualitative and simple quantitative analysis. The course contents cover: Mechanics, Heat, Optics, Waves, Electricity and Magnetism.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe and distinguish the concepts and principles in introductory study of physics
CLO 2 recognize the underlying physical principles behind various daily life phenomena
CLO 3 explain physical phenomena using proper physical laws and theories
CLO 4 apply simple mathematical techniques for quantitative analysis in solving physics problems
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 NIL
Not for students with level 3 or above in HKDSE Physics; and
Not for students who have passed in PHYS1050 or PHYS1150 or PHYS1250 or ENGG1300 or ENGG1310, or already enrolled in these courses; and
Not for students who have passed in any level 2 PHYS course or above.
Course to PLO Mapping
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 80.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments Including in-class quizzes (10%) 30.0 1,2,3,4
Examination 2-hour written exam 50.0 1,2,3,4
Test 20.0 1,2,3,4
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
John D. Cutnell, Shane Stadler, David Young, and Kenneth W. Johnson: Introduction to Physics (John Wiley & Sons, 2015, International Student Version, 10th Edition)
Paul G. Hewitt: Conceptual Physics (Pearson, 2022, 13th edition)
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille, and John Hughes: College Physics (Cengage Learning, 2024, 12th edition)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL


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