Physics Courses and Programs

Course Offerings

- PHYS 1: Physics (Standalone course)
  Discovery of basic concepts of physics by working through guided activities in a workshop style. Topics include light and geometrical optics, electricity and DC circuits (with capacitors,) linear and rotational motion, forces, momentum, energy, harmonic motion and waves.
  - Prerequisite: MATH 71 or eligibility for MATH 110 (or higher)
  - Physics 1 Student Learning Outcomes
  - Typically offered in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms
- PHYS 2AG: General Physics (First course of a 2-semester sequence)
  The basic principles of physics. Includes theory, applications, laboratory, and problem solving in mechanics, heat, fluids, and wave motion.
  - Prerequisite: MATH 150 (Trigonometry) or eligibility for MATH 180 or higher
  - Physics 2AG Student Learning Outcomes
  - Typically offered in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms
- PHYS 2BG: General Physics (Second course of a 2-semester sequence)
  A continuation of Physics 2AG. Includes electricity and magnetism (including DC and AC circuits,) geometrical and physical optics, relativity, quantum physics, atomic and nuclear physics. Laboratory includes use of computers to analyze data and simulate electric circuits.
  - Prerequisite: PHYS 2AG
  - Physics 2BG Student Learning Outcomes
  - Typically offered in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms
- PHYS 4A: Engineering Physics (First course of a 3-semester sequence)
  Studies linear and rotational motion, forces, work, energy, oscillations, gravitation, properties of solids, and waves. Includes laboratory experience, with significant use of computers for data acquisition and analysis.
  - Prerequisite: PHYS 2AG
  - Corequisite: MATH 181 (may have taken previously)
  - Physics 4A Student Learning Outcomes
  - Only offered in Fall and Spring semesters
- PHYS 4B: Engineering Physics (Second course of a 3-semester sequence)
  Heat, kinetic theory of gases, thermodynamics, electromagnetism (including DC and AC circuits,) and Maxwell’s equations. Laboratory includes significant use of computers for data acquisition, analysis and simulation.
  - Prerequisite: PHYS 4A
  - Corequisite: MATH 280 (may have taken previously)
  - Physics 4B Student Learning Outcomes
  - Only offered in Fall and Spring semesters
- PHYS 4C: Engineering Physics (Third course of a 3-semester sequence)
  Fluids, sound, electromagnetic waves, optics, diffraction and interference of waves, relativity, quantum physics, atomic and nuclear structure, nuclear reactions and elementary particles. Laboratory includes significant use of computers for data analysis.
  - Prerequisite: PHYS 4B
  - Physics 4C Student Learning Outcomes
  - Only offered in Fall and Spring semesters
- PHYS 99: Special Projects in Physics
  In order to offer selected students recognition for their academic interests and ability, and the opportunity to explore their disciplines to greater depth, the various departments from time to time offer Special Projects courses. The content of each course and the methods of study vary from semester to semester and depend on the particular project under consideration. Student must have instructor’s authorization before enrolling in this class. Students who repeat this course will improve skills by further instruction and practice. Field trips may be required as part of this course.
  - Corequisite: PHYS 1 or PHYS 2AG or PHYS 4A (may have been taken previously)
  - Offered irregularly in Fall and/or Spring

Typical Sequences

Physics Transfer

These are the courses typically taken by a student intending to transfer to a four year university in their junior year as a physics major:

Summer/High School	Fall Year 1	Spring Year 1	Fall Year 2	Spring Year 2
	MATH 180 (Calculus I)	Math 181 (Calculus II)	Math 280 (Calculus III)	ENGR 285 or MATH 285 (Diff. Eq. and Lin. Alg.)
Math 150	PHYS 2AG	PHYS 4A	PHYS 4B	PHYS 4C
ENGL 68	ENGL 1A	ENGR 1C	CHEM 50	CSCI or CHEM or ENGR course
	HIST 7	SPCH 1A	PHYS 99 or ENGR course or Gen. Ed.	PHYS 99 or ENGR course or Gen. Ed.

AS Degree Programs

None