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.

Please Note: Courses taught at a distance (DL) have higher student costs. Web sections of PHYS 1200 require the purchase of a home lab kit. Cost is approximately $189.00. Web sections of PHYS 1201 require the purchase of a home lab kit. Cost is approximately $169.00. Contact the Biological and Physical Sciences Department as soon as you have registered for exact pricing and ordering information for home lab kits.

PHYS 0100 Introduction to Physics (A, SP, SU) 4 credits

This course is a survey of the basic concepts of physics. Topics include mechanics, electrostatics, nuclear physics and electromagnetism.
Lecture: 3 hours - Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 1020 or higher and placement into ENGL 0190
Lab fee: $11.00

 

PHYS 1103 World of Energy: Forces, Electricity, Magnetism, Machines (A, SP, SU) 3 credits

This course explores the basic principles of physics in the context of energy use. It covers the topics of forces, electricity, magnetism and machines.
Lecture: 3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 1020 or higher and placement into ENGL 0190
Lab fee: $1.00

PHYS 1106 Physics by Inquiry: Introduction to Properties and Motion (A, SP, SU) 5 credits

This course is intended for non-science majors, especially for those pursuing degrees in education. The course is an introduction to experimental science emphasizing physical properties and motion. The lab activities are designed to help students gain a better understanding of aspects of physical science.
Lecture: 4 hours Lab: 3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 1020 or higher and placement into ENGL 1100
Lab fee: $20.00

PHYS 1200 Algebra-Based Physics I (A, SP, SU) 5 credits

This is a laboratory course in classical mechanics (kinematics, Newton's laws, gravitation, energy, momentum, rotational motion, and angular momentum) as well as fluids, harmonic motion, waves, and sound.
Lecture: 4 hours - Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 1148 or MATH 1113 or higher, and placement into ENGL 1100 Lab fee: $17.00 (Additional kit costs for Web sections)

PHYS 1201 Algebra-Based Physics II (A, SP, SU) 5 credits

This is a laboratory course in classical electromagnetism (electric charge, field, and potential, DC circuits, magnetic forces & fields, induction, and electromagnetic waves), geometric and physical optics, and topics in modern physics (special relativity and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics).
Lecture: 4 hours - Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 1200 or PHYS 119 Lab fee: $16.00 (Additional kit costs for Web sections)

PHYS 1250 Calculus-Based Physics I (A, SP, SU) 5 credits

This is a laboratory course in classical mechanics (kinematics, energy, momentum, rotation, simple harmonic motion, etc.) as well as mechanical waves and sound.
Lecture: 4 hours - Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 1151 or higher, high school physics or PHYS 0100, placement into ENGL 1100 or higher Lab fee: $17.00

PHYS 1251 Calculus-Based Physics II (A, SP, SU) 5 credits

This is a laboratory course in classical electromagnetism (electric charge, field, and potential, DC circuits, magnetic forces & fields, induction, and electromagnetic waves), geometric and physical optics, and topics in modern physics (special relativity and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics).
Lecture: 4 hours - Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 1250 or PHYS 179 and MATH 1152 or higher
Lab fee: $16.00

PHYS 2293 Independent Study: Physics (A, SP, SU) 1-3 credits

This course is an individual, student-structured course that examines a selected topic in physics through intensive reading or research. The independent study elective permits a student to pursue his/her interests within the context of a faculty-guided program.
Instructor permission required
Lecture and Lab: Varies with subject matter Lab fee: $1.00

PHYS 2294 Special Topics: Physics (A, SP, SU) 1-3 credits

This course provides an opportunity to explore selected topics of interest in physics.
Instructor permission required
Lecture and Lab: Varies with subject matter
Lab fee: $1.00

PHYS 2300 Dynamics of Particles & Waves I (A) 4 credits

This course covers vectors and kinematics; the foundations of Newtonian mechanics; momentum, work, and energy; conservative and nonconservative forces; potentials; angular momentum; and rotations about a fixed axis.
Lecture: 4 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 1251 or PHYS 179
Corequisite: MATH 2153
Lab fee: $1.00

PHYS 2301 Dynamics: Particles & Waves II (SP) 4 credits

This course covers rigid body motion; noninertial systems and fictitious forces; central force motion; the special theory of relativity; relativistic kinematics; and relativistic momentum and energy.
Lecture: 4 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 2300 and MATH 2153 or MATH 254
Lab fee: $1.00

A, Autumn
W, Winter
SP, Spring
SU, Summer

DL, Distance Learning