Instructor
TBD
(703) 714-5475

Marshall Academy's Engineering Physics (EP) program offers a two-year college-preparatory Physics sequence for serious, enthusiastic students who have an interest in careers in the physical sciences, engineering, technology, medicine, and other disciplines requiring research and experimentation.

Engineering Physics I (EP 1) is a first-year Physics course that may be taken in lieu of Physics I or Physics I Honors, and satisfies the laboratory science credit requirement for Physics. Prerequisites for the course are prior completion of Algebra I and one year of high school laboratory science. This allows sophomores to take the course, as well as juniors and seniors. The curriculum includes a systematic review of SAT mathematics, provides a rigorous Physics curriculum, stresses inquiry and experimentation, and includes participation in the national Team America Rocketry Challenge competition. The curriculum units stress the unity of Physics and build upon the fundamental laws of Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Waves, Electricity and Magnetism, and Modern Physics. In-class laboratory and project hours exceed those required for IB 1 and AP-B Physics.

Engineering Physics II (EP 2) is an elective second-year Physics course. It is available to students who have completed EP 1 or one year of another algebra-based Physics course. EP 2 offers a laboratory-based, system-oriented curriculum that includes both algebra-based (Algebra 2 is a co-requisite) and calculus-based (Calculus is a co-requisite) options. The course provides a thorough Physics SAT Subject Test review to prepare students who are interested in that examination, and to assure that students from all schools are brought to a common level of Physics. The EP 2 curriculum begins with the study of waves and oscillations, and strongly emphasizes areas of Physics beyond first-year classical mechanics, and includes participation in the CanSat regional space system competition. Student CanSat competitors design and construct an operational can-sized satellite module and the rocket needed to carry it aloft. In-class laboratory experimentation and prototype development hours exceed those for IB 2 Physics and AP-C Physics.

Each course (EP 1 and EP 2) includes curriculum-related field trips and periodic career, college, and curriculum-oriented information seminars. As a condition of enrollment, students must agree to participate in their course competition activities. A $30 Materials fee is required for each course. Junior and senior Engineering Physics students are eligible to enroll concurrently in the Engineering Systems program.