Academic Courses

Physics

NOTE: The Physics Department offers three sequences in physics. All include an appropriate laboratory.

PHYS 101 is a non-mathematical college transfer or general elective science course open to all students. It is suitable for students in Liberal Arts, Communica-tions and Education or for those who want to take physics as a general elective.

PHYS 105 is a one-semester course using only elementary high school mathematics, intended for Business, Fire Science, Respiratory Therapy and Construction Technology students. This course is for students desiring a minimally mathematically based physics. This course is suggested for students in Chemical Technology. It is also suitable for Liberal Arts and Business students who need a laboratory science.

PHYS 109 is a one-semester course on fiber optics and optical waveguides using only precalculus-level mathematics. It is intended for students who want to develop skills working with fiber optics.

PHYS 111-112 is a two-semester college physics course for students with a good background in algebra and trigonometry. It is suitable for students in Pharmacy, Pre-Dental and Pre-Medical programs who do not need a calculus-based physics course, mathematically able technology students and Liberal Arts students who plan to teach mathematics and sciences.

The PHYS 140-241 sequence is a calculus-based classical physics sequence for students interested in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics or Physics, Pre-Dental or Pre-Medical programs.

PHYS 242 is a calculus-based course in modern physics for students in the Engineering Science and Associate in Science curricula. It is also suitable for students who wish to take additional physics beyond PHYS 140 and 241, such as those interested in biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics as well as some students in Pharmacy, Pre-Dental or Pre-Medical programs.

PHYS 101
Revolutionary Concepts in Physics
3-2-4
The study of scientific concepts which have had a revolutionary impact on Western civilization from early Greek ideas on planetary motion to the Newtonian Syntheses. By the selection of key topics from mechanics and astronomy, the student will gain an acquaintance with the historical develop-ment, methodology and philosophy of our understanding of the physical universe of classical physics. Treatment will be mostly non-mathematical. A two-hour laboratory per week is required. This is a general elective course suitable for students who have a laboratory science requirement, except for students in curricula which specify a different physics course. Additional course fee: $79.

PHYS 105
Survey of Physics
4-2-4
Mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light and optics. Suitable as a science elective for college-transfer students planning to major in fields outside the natural sciences or mathe-matics. Also suitable for some students in career programs. It may be regarded either as a one-semester course or as the first half of a one-year physical science course. A two-hour laboratory per week is required. Additional course fee: $79.

PHYS 106
Matter and Energy
3-2-4
An optional continuation of PHYS 105. The structure of matter, chemical energy, nuclear energy, energy conversions, energy resources of the world, relation-ships between pollution and energy utilization. A two-hour laboratory per week is required. Prerequisite: PHYS 105 or permission of the Department Head. Additional course fee: $79.

PHYS 107
Matter and Energy
3-0-3
The course content is the same as that of PHYS 106, but without the laboratory. A general elective course suitable for students who do not require a laboratory science.

PHYS 108
Descriptive Astronomy
3-0-3
Introduces students to discoveries of astronomy and physics, from ancient times to the present day. More specifically, the course focuses on the history of astronomy and science. Students learn about the birth of the universe, the stars, planets, galaxies, and constellations, the possibility of life on other heavenly bodies as well as radiation, magnetism, nuclear reactions, and other aspects of physics. Topics such as relativity, gravity, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, black holes, supernovas, gamma-ray bursters, quasars, neutron stars, spectroscopy, light, heat and heat transfer, dark energy and dark matter, string theory, and conceptual physics are also discussed.

PHYS 109
An Introduction to Fiber-Optics and Optical Waveguides
3-3-4
This course will introduce students to optical fibers and discuss advantages of choosing this unique transmission medium for communication systems. Students will be taught basic laws of geometrical and physical optics which are essential for the work in the field of fiber optics and learn how to build working fiber connections. Prerequisite: MATH 161/162. Additional course fee: $79.

PHYS 111
General Physics I
4-2-4
Introduction to mechanics, heat and sound. This is an algebra-trigonometry based course suitable for college-transfer students in Pharmacy, Pre-Dental and Pre-Medical programs who do not need a calculus-based physics course. It is also suitable for college-transfer students in arts, business, education, humanities and technology programs. Prerequisite: MATH 162 or permission of the Department Head. Additional course fee: $79.

PHYS 112
General Physics II
4-2-4
Continuation of PHYS 111. Introduces electricity, magnetism, light, optics, atomic and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 111 or permission of the Department Head. Additional course fee: $79.

PHYS 125
Musical Acoustics
2-2-3
Designed primarily for students concentrating in music; may be taken by others. The nature of sound, the hearing process, wave motion, architectural acoustics and their application to musical instruments and performance by musicians. Additional course fee: $79.

PHYS 140
Mechanics, Heat and Sound
5-2-5
Calculus-based introduction to mechanics, heat and sound suitable for college transfer students who plan to major in engineering, life sciences, mathematics or physical science. Prerequisite: MATH 171 or permission of the Department Head. (Students who have never had a physics course should take PHYS 105 or PHYS 111 before PHYS 140.) Additional course fee: $79.

PHYS 241
Electricity, Magnetism and Light
4-2-5
Continuation of PHYS 140. Includes electricity, magnetism, geometric and physical optics. Prerequisites: PHYS 140, MATH 172 or permission of the Department Head. Additional course fee: $79.

PHYS 242
Modern Physics
3-2-4
Includes a study of the atom, relativity, radiation, fission and fusion. A calculus-based physics course for the college transfer student who majors in chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics or other sciences. Prerequisite: PHYS 241. Additional course fee: $79.