PHYS 011. Scientific Problem Solving: Quantitative Skills, Basic Statistics, and Model Building

Cross-listed with BIOL 007
This Quantitative Skills course provides the essential mathematical and analytical tools required for scientific problem-solving. Through practical examples from molecular and cellular biology, introductory chemistry and physics, you’ll learn to think quantitatively, make reasonable estimates, apply dimensional analysis, practice unit conversions, interpret and create graphs, and use algebra to solve problems. The course integrates spreadsheet skills with graphing and introduces fundamental biological, biochemical, and biophysical modeling. This course gives you hands-on experience in simulating and analyzing living systems. It thus lays the foundation for success for students who want to major in biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or neuroscience but may not have had strong high school preparation in those areas.

This course may satisfy one of the mathematics requirements for a Biology major or minor. This course will count as a Biology elective if mathematics requirements are satisfied elsewhere.
Not eligible for NSEP credit
Corequisite: BIOL 001 ; and/or CHEM 010 ; and/or PHYS 003 or PHYS 003L ; or permission of the instructor.
Natural Sciences and Engineering
1 credit.
Fall 2025. Collins and Geller.
Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy

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