Catalog: 2011–2012 Catalog Year

Course Descriptions

Physics (PHYS)

Science, Mathematics & Engineering Division

PHYS 100: Introductory Physics

Units (Credits): 3; Prerequisites: MATH 120, MATH 126 or higher or consent of instructor

Introduces students to a broad range of concepts in physics from basic classical mechanics to modern physics. Students will conduct at least four experiments with many demonstrations performed throughout the course.

PHYS 151: General Physics I

Units (Credits): 4; Prerequisites: MATH 126 & MATH 127, MATH 128 or equivalent

Provides a course in physics for students in arts and science, medicine and dentistry, and agriculture. Emphasis is on mechanics, heat, and sound.

PHYS 152: General Physics II

Units (Credits): 4; Prerequisites: PHYS 151 or consent of instructor

Emphasizes light, electricity, magnetism and nuclear physics.

PHYS 180: Engineering Physics I

Units (Credits): 3; Prerequisites: MATH 181

Explores vectors, rectilinear motion, particle dynamics, work and energy, momentum, rotational mechanics, oscillations, gravitation, fluids, wave properties and sound. Students must co-enroll in both lecture and lab to receive credit.

PHYS 180L: Engineering Physics I Lab

Units (Credits): 1; Prerequisites or Corequisites: MATH 181 ; Corequisites: PHYS 180

Explores vectors, rectilinear motion, particle dynamics, work and energy, momentum, rotational mechanics, oscillations, gravitation, fluids, wave properties and sound. Students must co-enroll in both lecture and lab to receive credit.

PHYS 181: Engineering Physics II

Units (Credits): 3; Prerequisites: PHYS 180; Recommended: MATH 182

Explores electric fields, potential, current, dielectrics, circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetic oscillations, thermodynamics and kinetic theory of gases. Students must co-enroll in both lecture and lab to receive credit.

PHYS 181L: Engineering Physics II Lab

Units (Credits): 1; Prerequisites: MATH 182 & PHYS 180 ; Corequisites: PHYS 181

Explores electric fields, potential, current, dielectrics, circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetic oscillations, thermodynamics and kinetic theory of gases. Students must co-enroll in both lecture and lab to receive credit.

PHYS 182: Engineering Physics III

Units (Credits): 3; Prerequisites: MATH 182 & PHYS 181 or consent of instructor

Explores light, optical systems, relativity, wave aspects of particles, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, semiconductors, radioactivity, nuclear physics and particles. Students must co-enroll in both lecture and lab to receive credit.

PHYS 182L: Engineering Physics III Lab

Units (Credits): 1; Prerequisites: MATH 182 & PHYS 181 or consent of instructor; Corequisites: PHYS 182

Explores light, optical systems, relativity, wave aspects of particles, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, semiconductors, radioactivity, nuclear physics and particles. Students must co-enroll in both lecture and lab to receive credit.

PHYS 293: Directed Study

Units (Credits): 1–3; Prerequisites: PHYS 151, PHYS 180 or consent of instructor

Provides individual study conducted under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for up to six units.



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