NUAMES-Davis Physics

What physics class should I take?

NUAMES-Davis offers CE and AP physics

CE is Concurrent Enrollment in PHYS 1010 Elementary Physics thru Weber State University. It is designed for students who are not pursuing a career in science or engineering or for students who are not yet sure of their career path. AP is Advanced Placement® in one of four available College Physics equivalent-content courses thru the College Board. AP Physics 1 & 2 are designed for students pursuing a medical profession. AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism are designed for students pursuing a career in a physical science or engineering.

The physics department at Weber State University requires either MATH 1060 or 1080 to be completed before allowing students to take PHYS 2010, and they must at least take calculus Math 1210 concurrently to take PHYS 2210. Students at NUAMES can take AP® Physics to experience equivalent college physics content, to prepare for the college physics they will need in the future, and to receive some college credit - students should check with their universities of choice to determine the credits awarded for specific AP test scores.

CE 1010 - Elementary Physics

“A brief survey of physics at the introductory level. Topics covered include laws of motion, gravity, energy, light, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics, radioactivity, and relativity.” WSU course description.

A fun and interesting introduction to the field of physics designed for students who are not pursuing a STEM career or who are unsure of their career path.

Basic algebra will be used, but the course is primarily conceptual rather than numerical-based. No previous physics or math is required, but Math Secondary 1 skills will be useful. Since this is a one-semester course at WSU that is spread out over two semesters at NUAMES, students are typically able to complete all the assignments during class leaving them with little to no homework! One significant exception is the required science inquiry project - typically due in March - which requires nearly all work to be completed outside of class.

Fulfills three credit hours of Physical Sciences (PS) needed for WSU General Education studies for undergraduate degrees.

AP Physics 1 & 2

"AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, and conservation." (College Board course description) There are eight topic units including Kinematics; Forces and Translational Dynamics; Work, Energy, and Power; Linear Momentum, Torque and Rotational Dynamics; Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems; Oscillations; and Fluids. This content is similar to most university's first semester of general college physics (PHYS 2010) courses. AP Physics 1 is a full-year course at NUAMES allowing students to build their physics understanding at a more reasonable pace.

"AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, and conservation and waves." (College Board course description) There are seven topic units including Thermodynamics; Electric Force, Field, and Potential; Electric Circuits; Magnetism and Electromagnetism; Geometric Optics; Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics; and Modern Physics. This content is similar to most university's second semester of general college physics (PHYS 2020) courses. AP Physics 1 should be taken prior to taking AP Physics 2.

AP Physics 1 & 2 are designed for students who enjoy science and math, and who are preparing for a medical profession. The College Board states that they are "introductory" courses; however, most high school students find that the course work is rigorous and doesn't "feel" introductory. Students should be confident using algebra and trigonometry from Math Secondary 2, but all required mathematics will be taught concurrently to achieve both a conceptual and numerical understanding of the physics. Previous physics experience will be helpful, but it is not required. Students should commit to at least 5 hours of homework each week.

For the 2026-27 school year, AP Physics 2 course content will be available to students who wish to study primarily in small student groups and/or independently. Students should register for "AP Physics C," which will firstly focus on Mechanics, but resources and help - both online and in-person - will be available for the AP Physics 2 course.

AP Physics C

"AP Physics C: Mechanics is a calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in one of the physical sciences or engineering. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like change, force interactions, fields, and conservation." (College Board course description) There are seven topic units including Kinematics; Forces and Translational Dynamics; Work, Energy, and Power; Linear Momentum, Torque and Rotational Dynamics; Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems; and Oscillations. Content is similar to most university's first semester of Physics for Scientists and Engineers (PHYS 2210). AP Physics C: Mechanics is a full-year course at NUAMES allowing students to build their physics understanding at a more reasonable pace.

"AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism is a calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in one of the physical sciences or engineering. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like change, force interactions, fields, and conservation." (College Board course description) There are six topic units including Electric Charges, Fields, and Gauss's Law; Electric Potential; Conductors and Capacitors; Electric Circuits; Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism; and Electromagnetic Induction. Content is similar to most university's second semester of Physics for Scientists and Engineers (PHYS 2220). AP Physics C: Mechanics should be taken prior to taking AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, but some highly-motivated students successfully complete them both within the same school year.

Both AP Physics C courses are designed for students who really enjoy science and math, and who are preparing for a career in a physical science or engineering. Students should be confident using algebra and trigonometry from Math Secondary 3 and calculus from Math 1210, but all required mathematics will be taught concurrently. Previous physics and math experience is highly recommended, but it is not required. Students should commit to at least 5 hours of homework each week.

For the 2026-27 school year, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism course content will be available to students who wish to study primarily in small student groups and/or independently. Students should register for "AP Physics C," which will firstly focus on Mechanics, but resources and help - both online and in-person - will be available for the Electricity and Magnetism course.

"Why take AP when CE accomplishes the same thing?"

Ah, but it doesn't in physics! CE Physics 1010 is titled "Elementary Physics" at WSU. The title of "College Physics" is associated with PHYS 2010 and 2020 - AP Physics 1 & 2 equivalents - for which CE courses are not available. CE Physics 1010 is a significantly lower-level physics considered to be similar to an honors high school course - especially considering that it is a one-semester course at WSU (and many other universities) that is taught over a full year at NUAMES (and many other high schools). Regardless, it is a very valuable class to many students as it inspires them, helps them realize how cool physics is, and prepares them for the higher-level college physics courses.

Questions?

Please feel free to email me:

jesseanderegg@weber.edu