Courses Information
Astronomy
AST-A 100 The Solar System (3 cr)
Celestial sphere and constellations, measurement of time, astronomical instruments, earth as a planet, moon, eclipses, planets and their satellites, comets, meteors, theories of origin of solar system. Offered fall semesters, evening only.
AST-A 105 Stellar Astronomy (3 cr)
The sun as a star, physical properties of stars, principles of spectroscopy as applied to astronomy, double stars, variable stars, star clusters, gaseous nebulae, stellar motions, and distribution. Milky Way system, external galaxies, expanding universe, cosmic time scale. Offered spring semesters, evening only.
- Suggested prerequisite: A100
Physics
PHYS-P 100 Physics in the Modern World (4 cr)
Designed to introduce students who have not previously taken a physics or chemistry course to the methods, principles, and language of physics. Includes classical physics and modern applications. Cannot be substituted for physics course explicitly designed in specified curricula. It includes both lecture and laboratory components. No credit will be given to students who have passed P201-P202. Lab fee required. (Replaced by Physics P104 below.).
- Prerequisite: Introductory Algebra
PHYS-P 104 Conceptual Physical Science (3 - 4 cr)
Introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of physical science (physics and chemistry), with limited use of algebra. Topics include motion, light, electricity, magnetism, states of matter, energy and chemical reactions. Intended for non-science majors and elementary education majors. Lab fee required. (Cross-lists with Physics Q202.) Offered fall and spring semesters. (This course replaces P100 above.) This course is equivalent to Q 202 but open to all non-science majors, as well as elementary education majors.
- Recommended pre- or co- requisite: Introductory Algebra, or
- Prerequisite: Education Q200.
PHYS-P 201 General Physics I (5 cr)
Newtonian mechanics, wave motion, heat, and thermodynamics. Application of physical principles to related scientific disciplines including life sciences. Lab fee required. Offered fall and spring semesters. (Honors option available)
- Prerequisite: M125, M126, or equivalent
PHYS-P 202 General Physics II (5 cr)
Electricity and magnetism, geometrical and physical optics, introduction to concepts of relativity, quantum theory, and atomic and nuclear physics. Application of physical principles to related scientific disciplines including life sciences. Lab fee required. Offered spring semesters. (Honors option available)
- Prerequisite: P201
PHYS-Q 202 Physical Science: Elementary Teachers (3 cr)
Part of an integrated sequence of science courses for elementary education majors. Introduction to physical science including such topics as motion, light, electricity, magnetism, states of matter, energy, and chemical reactions. Lab fee required. Not distribution satisfying. Offered fall and alternate summer semesters.
- Prerequisite: Q200
PHYS-P 300 General Physics III, (Modern Physics) (3 cr)
Covers relativity; quantum theory of light; matter waves; the Bohr atom; introductory quantum theory; (statistical and solid state physics); atomic physics; nuclear physics (fission, fusion & radioactivity); elementary particles and the standard model for forces; (quarks, color, charm, strangeness, strings). Course satisfies requirements for high school teacher physics certification. Credit may be earned only for either P300 or P301. Offered fall semesters.
- Prerequisite: P201-P202, or equivalent, with a grade of "C" or better.
- Pre- or co- requisite: An introductory course in calculus.
- Corequisite: Recommended P309 (Modern Physics Laboratory)
PHYS-P 301 Physics 3, (Modern Physics) (3 cr)
Third semester of a three-semester, calculus-based physics sequence. Students who have completed PHYS P202, and who have completed, or are now taking, MATH M216 are also eligible to enroll in this course. Special theory of relativity; introduction to quantum physics; atomic, nuclear, condensed matter, and elementary particle physics. (Similar in conceptual content to P300.) Intended for science, mathematics and engineering majors. Credit may be obtained only for either P300 or P301. Offered fall semesters.
- Prerequisite: P221-222, or equivalent, with a grade of "C" or better. (P201-202, or equivalent, with grade “C” or better, and consent of instructor.)
- Pre- or co- requisite: Math M216, or equivalent. (Math M222 with instructor consent.)
- Corequisite: Recommended P309 (Modern Physics Laboratory)
PHYS-P 309 Modern Physics Laboratory (2 cr)
Intended as the laboratory portion of Physics P300. Covers laboratory exercises in modern physics, which may include ; Special Relativity (STR), Michelson Interferometry, Photoelectric Effect (E=hf), Thomson Experiment (e/m), Millikan Oil Drop Experiment (e), Electron Diffraction, Frank-Hertz Experiment, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AA), Electron Spin Resonance (ESR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Quantum Dots, and applications in biology. Lab fee required. Offered fall semesters.
- Pre- or co- requisite: P300 (lecture portion)
