Physics

Classes

PHYS 122: Introduction to Science: Physical

Discipline
Physics
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3
Designation
DP
Characteristics of science, historical development of scientific concepts, and interactions with society illustrated by topics from physical sciences, with emphasis in physics and chemistry. Designed for non-science majors.
Prerequisites

Credit in Math 25, 26, 28, 29, 75X or higher or equivalent.

Corequisites

PHYS 122L.

Course Outcomes
  • Recognize the fundamental principles and philosophy upon which the scientific method is based.
  • Apply the basic concepts of physics and chemistry.
  • Apply the concept of conservation laws in problem solving.
  • Apply basic mathematics to problems in physics and chemistry.
  • Define the common terms used in the physical sciences.
  • Assess the limitations of the scientific method and apply error analysis.
  • Recognize the physical science principles as applied to everyday situations.

PHYS 122L: Introduction to Physical Science Lab

Discipline
Physics
Credits 1 Lab Hours 3
Designation
DY

Lab experiments illustrating topics and methods in the Physical Sciences with emphasis in Physics and Chemistry. Designed for nonscience majors.

Prerequisites

Credit for or registration in PHYS 122 or consent of instructor.

Course Outcomes
  • Apply the scientific method to a selected group of topics in physics and chemistry.
  • Collect, report and analyze data obtained in a laboratory setting in a manner exhibiting organization, proper documentation and critical thinking.
  • Manipulate data and apply quantitative techniques, such as graphing and statistical analysis.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the standard instruments used in physics and chemistry.
  • Identify environmental factors, which affect the outcome of an experiment or observation and apply basic error analyses techniques.

PHYS 151: College Physics I

Discipline
Physics
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3
Designation
DP
A noncalculus one semester course for preprofessionaI or nonengineering majors. Study of the basic concepts of physics, including the fundamental principles and theories in mechanics, energy, and waves.
Prerequisites

Credit for or registration in MATH 140 or higher, or consent of instructor

Corequisites

PHYS 151L.

Course Outcomes
  • Demonstrate a general understanding of the underlying philosophy of the physics, including the scientific method.
  • Apply the basic concepts of physics, including mechanics, energy, simple oscillatory systems, gas laws and fluid dynamics.
  • Apply the concept of conservation laws in problem solving.
  • Apply basic algebraic and graphical analysis techniques to physics problems.
  • Compare and contrast macroscopic and microscopic systems in physics.
  • Define quantitatively and qualitatively the common terms used in physics.
  • Assess the limitations of the scientific method and apply error analysis.
  • Determine when to apply physics principles to everyday situations.

PHYS 151L: College Physics I Lab

Discipline
Physics
Credits 1 Lab Hours 3
Designation
DY

Experiments in statics, mechanics, energy, waves, and friction.

Prerequisites

Credit for or registration in PHYS 151.

Course Outcomes
  • Apply the scientific method to physical science systems involving mechanics, energy, simple oscillatory systems, gas laws and fluid dynamics.
  • Collect, report and analyze data obtained in a laboratory setting in a manner exhibiting organization, proper documentation and critical thinking.
  • Manipulate data and apply quantitative techniques, such as graphing and statistical analysis.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the standard instruments used in physics.
  • Identify environmental factors, which affect the outcome of an experiment or observation and apply basic error analyses techniques.

PHYS 152: College Physics II

Discipline
Physics
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3
Designation
DP
A noncalculus, one-semester course for pre-professional or nonengineering majors. Study of the basic concepts of physics, including the fundamental principles and theories in electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics.
Prerequisites

Credit for PHYS 151 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Corequisites

PHYS 152L.

Course Outcomes
  • Demonstrate a general understanding of the underlying philosophy of the physics, including the scientific method.
  • Apply the basic concepts of physics, including thermodynamics, static and dynamic laws of electricity and magnetism, circuit analysis, electromagnetic radiation, optical systems, and the fundamentals of atomic and nuclear physics.
  • Apply the concept of conservation laws in problem solving.
  • Apply basic algebraic and graphical analysis techniques to physics problems.
  • Compare and contrast macroscopic and microscopic systems in physics.
  • Define quantitatively and qualitatively the common terms used in physics.
  • Assess the limitations of the scientific method and apply error analysis.
  • Recognize the physical science principles as applied to everyday situations.

PHYS 152L: College Physics II Lab

Discipline
Physics
Credits 1 Lab Hours 3
Designation
DY

Experiments in electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics.

Prerequisites

Credit for or registration in PHYS 152.

Course Outcomes
  • Apply the scientific method to physical science systems involving thermodynamics, static and dynamic laws of electricity and magnetism, electrical and electronic circuit analysis, electromagnetic radiation, optical systems, and the fundamentals of atomic and nuclear physics.
  • Collect, report and analyze data obtained in a laboratory setting in a manner exhibiting organization, proper documentation and critical thinking.
  • Manipulate data and apply quantitative techniques, such as graphing and statistical analysis.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the standard instruments used in physics.
  • Identify environmental factors, which affect the outcome of an experiment or observation and apply basic error analyses techniques.

PHYS 170: General Physics I

Discipline
Physics
Credits 4 Lecture Hours 4
Designation
DP
This is the first of a rigorous, calculus-based course in physics for the professional or engineering majors. The study of the concepts of physics including the fundamental principles and theories of mechanics, energy, waves and thermodynamics.
Prerequisites

Credit for MATH 241 (formerly MATH 205) or higher or equivalent or consent of instructor

Corequisites

PHYS 170L and credit for or registration in MATH 242 (formerly MATH 206) or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Course Outcomes
  • Demonstrate a solid conceptual understanding of kinematics, dynamics, wave phenomena, and thermodynamics.
  • Solve applicable problems using differential calculus and vector analysis.
  • Apply the laws of physics to computational problems in kinematics, dynamics, wave phenomena, and thermodynamics.

PHYS 170L: General Physics I Lab

Discipline
Physics
Credits 1 Lab Hours 3
Designation
DY

This laboratory course is a rigorous, calculus-based study for professional or engineering majors. Laboratory exercises are designed to reinforce the fundamental concepts of kinematics, mechanics, energy, waves and thermodynamics. (3hourslaboratory)

Corequisites

Credit for or registration in PHYS 170.

Course Outcomes
  • Demonstrate an experimental understanding of some basic physical concepts and theories.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with various instruments and their use in making reliable and precise measurements.
  • Calculate a result with the appropriate number of significant figures.
  • Analyze data using calculation and graphical methods.
  • Organize an accurate and complete laboratory notebook.

PHYS 272: General Physics II

Discipline
Physics
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3
Designation
DP
This is the second in a rigorous, calculus-based physics course for the professional or engineering major. The study of the concepts of physics including the fundamental principles and theories of electricity, magnetism, light, and optical theory.
Prerequisites

Credit for MATH 242 (formerly MATH 206) or higher or equivalent and a grade of “C” or better in PHYS 170 or consent of instructor

Corequisites

PHYS 272L.

Course Outcomes
  • Demonstrate a solid conceptual understanding of electricity, magnetism, light, and optical theory.
  • Solve applicable problems using calculus and vector analysis.
  • Apply the laws of physics to computational problems in electricity, magnetism, and wave phenomena.

PHYS 272L: General Physics II Lab

Discipline
Physics
Credits 1 Lab Hours 3
Designation
DY

This laboratory course is a rigorous, calculus-based study for professional or engineering majors. Laboratory exercises are designed to reinforce the fundamental concepts of electricity, magnetism, light and optical theory.

Prerequisites

Credit for or registration in PHYS 272.

Course Outcomes
  • Demonstrate experimental understanding of some basic physical concepts and theories.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with various instruments and learn to make reliable measurements.
  • Calculate a result with the appropriate number of significant figures.
  • Analyze data using calculation and graphical methods.
  • Organize an accurate and complete laboratory notebook.

PHYS 274: General Physics III

Discipline
Physics
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3
Designation
DP
This course focuses on the study of physical optics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, solid state physics, atomic and nuclear physics, and elementary particle physics.
Prerequisites

Credit for PHYS 272 and PHYS 272L, and credit for or registration in MATH 243 (formerly MATH 231), or consent of instructor.

Course Outcomes
  • Describe the theory of special relativity and its effects: time dilation and space contraction.
  • Describe the particle like properties of electromagnetic radiation as demonstrated in the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering.
  • Analyze the wavelike properties of matter known as quantum theory.
  • Identify and Describe knowledge of the different properties of solids such as crystal structure, thermal and magnetic properties, and superconductivity.
  • Describe nuclear structure, radioactive decay, nuclear interactions, and their applications.
  • Identify the different elementary particles and describe their role in the forces that hold matter together.