Physics (PHYS)

Students must complete 60% of the laboratories to receive course credit. Courses in this area may require additional hours outside of the scheduled class time.

PHYS 100 Introduction to Physics (A, W, SP, SU,–DL)

4 credits
This course is a survey of the basic concepts of physics with emphasis on energy and its various forms. Topics include mechanics, heat, electricity, and waves, with related laboratory and demonstrations. Students enrolled in distance versions of this course will be required to come to campus for an orientation meeting and completion of certain exams and laboratories. Laboratories are generally done on an every other week basis on campus.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 102 or equivalent and placement into ENGL 100. Not open to students with credit for PHYS 117, 118, 177, 178, 181, 182, 183, or 185.
Lab fee: $10.00

PHYS 106 Physics by Inquiry: Intro to Properties of Matter (On Demand)

5 credits
PHYS 106 is an introduction to experimental science and the properties of matter for undergraduates contemplating a teaching career. This course is intended for nonscience majors, especially for those pursuing degrees in education. The lab activities are designed to help students gain a better understanding of aspects of physical science.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab 3 hours
Prerequisites: Placement into MATH 102 and ENGL 101 or higher
Lab fee: $19.00

PHYS 117 College Physics (Mechanics and Heat) (A, W, SP, SU)

5 credits
This course is a study of classical mechanics, including statics and kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, linear and angular momentum, work and energy, and properties of solids and fluids. Elementary concepts of heat are introduced, including temperature and thermal expansion, the ideal gas law, calorimetry, and heat transfer. Related laboratory and demonstrations. This course and PHYS 118 provide a two-quarter sequence in physical science that will fulfill the elective requirement for the Associate of Science Degree.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 148 or MATH 111 or equivalent and placement into ENGL 101. Not open to students with credit for PHYS 177 or 178.
Lab fee: $11.00

PHYS 118 College Physics (Electricity, Magnetism and Light) (A, W, SP, SU)

5 credits
This course is a continuation of PHYS 117. Topics in classical electricity and magnetism include electric potential, current and resistance, DC circuits, magnetic forces and fields, and electromagnetic induction. The nature of light is introduced and the principles of geometrical and physical optics, including optical instruments, are treated. Related laboratory and demonstrations.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 117; not open to students with credit for PHYS 177, 178 or 179
Lab fee: $10.00

PHYS 119 College Physics (Modern Physics) (A, W, SP)

5 credits
PHYS 119 is a continuation of PHYS 118. Topics include alternating current, electromagnetic waves, kinetic theory of gases, thermodynamics, and modern physics. The major emphasis of the course is on topics in modern physics, including special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, nuclear radiation and nuclear energy. Related laboratory and demonstrations.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 118; not open to students with credit for PHYS 177, 178 or 179
Lab fee: $10.00

PHYS 177 General Physics I (A, W, SP, SU,–DL)

5 credits
This is a course in the fundamental principles of mechanics for physics majors and engineers. Topics treated include vectors, equilibrium, kinematics and dynamics of a particle, energy, momentum, rotation, elasticity, simple harmonic motion and the behavior of fluids. Related laboratory and demonstrations. This course and PHYS 178 provide a two-quarter sequence in physical science that will fulfill the elective requirement for the Associate of Science Degree. Students enrolled in distance versions of this course will be required to come to campus for an orientation meeting and completion of certain exams and laboratories. Laboratories are generally done on an every other week basis on campus.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 151, high school physics or PHYS 100 recommended, and placement into ENGL 101
Lab fee: $11.00

PHYS 178 General Physics II (A, W, SP, SU,–DL)

5 credits
PHYS 178 is a continuation of PHYS 177. Topics covered include Coulomb’s law; electric fields and potentials; capacitors and dielectrics; current and resistance; DC circuits; magnetic fields and forces; electromagnetic properties of matter; and AC circuits. Related laboratory and demonstrations. Students enrolled in distance versions of this course will be required to come to campus for an orientation meeting and completion of certain exams and laboratories. Laboratories are generally done on an every other week basis on campus.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 177 and MATH 152
Lab fee: $10.00

PHYS 179 General Physics III (A, W, SP, SU,–DL)

5 credits
This course is a continuation of PHYS 178. Topics include mechanical waves, sound, electromagnetic waves, light, mirrors, lenses, interference, diffraction, polarization, relativity, photons, structure of atoms, nuclei and solids. Related laboratory and demonstrations. Students enrolled in distance versions of this course will be required to come to campus for an orientation meeting and completion of certain exams and laboratories. Laboratories are generally done on an every other week basis on campus.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 178
Lab fee: $10.00.

PHYS 181 Technical Physics (Mechanics) (A, W, SP, SU)

4 credits
This course presents the basic principles of mechanics. Major topics include equilibrium or rigid bodies, particle motion, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, conservation principles and rotational motion. Related laboratory and demonstrations.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 111 or MATH 148 or equivalent and placement into ENGL 100. Not open to students with credit for PHYS 117 or 177.
Lab fee: $10.00

PHYS 183 Technical Physics (Properties of Matter) (W, SU)

4 credits
A course in the basic principles associated with the mechanical and thermal properties of matter. Major topics include elasticity, fluid mechanics, heat and temperature, energy transformations, heat transfer, ideal and real gases, thermodynamics, vibrations and wave motion. Related laboratory and demonstrations.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 111 or MATH 148 or equivalent and placement into ENGL 100, Not open to students with credit for PHYS 117 or 177.
Lab fee: $10.00

PHYS 185 Technical Physics (Heat, Light, Sound) (A, W, SP, SU)

4 credits
A course in the basic principles associated with heat, light, and acoustic phenomena. Major topics include temperature and heat, heat transfer, wave and particle nature of light, atomic theory, solid-state theory, electronics and acoustics. Related laboratory and demonstrations.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 112 or equivalent and placement into ENGL 100. Not open to students with credit for PHYS 117 or 177.
Lab fee: $12.00

PHYS 290 Capstone Experience in Physics (On Demand)

3 credits
This is an integrated science course blending elements of chemistry, physics and biology. Topics include the historical development of the sciences, ethical issues in science and how they affect the advancement of scientific thought, and the scientific method as it relates to experimental design and interpretation of scientific results. The laboratory utilizes an investigative approach taking students through the process of identifying a research problem, conducting a literature review, writing a research proposal, collecting and analyzing data, writing a scientific paper and presenting results. This course is required for all physics majors seeking either the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree.
Lecture: 2 hours – Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisite: 75 hours or more of course work completed with a minimum of 20 credit hours within the sciences.
Lab fee: $18.00

PHYS 293 Independent Study in Physics (On Demand)

1-5 credits
PHYS 293 presents an opportunity for a detailed examination of selected topics of interest in physics.
Lecture: 1 to 5 hours – Lab: 0 to 6 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Lab fee: Varies

PHYS 299 Special Topics in Physics (On Demand)

1-5 credits
Students examine, in detail, selected topics of interest in physics.
Lecture: 1 to 5 hours – Lab: 0 to 6 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
Lab fee: Varies