Physics Courses

Physics 100- Elementary Physics

This course is a general survey of the basic principles of physics. It includes mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics with emphasis on mechanics. It is designed primarily as a prerequisite to courses in Engineering Physics.

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC*
*UC credit limits may apply. No credit for PHYS 100 if taken after PHYS 101 or PHYS 201.

Prerequisite: MATH 140 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher or "Pass" or completion of the math placement process with a score eligible for MATH 155.  Entering students must attain a satisfactory score on the Calculus Readiness Test.

Physics 101- General Physics

This course is designed to give students an understanding and appreciation of the basic principles governing the everyday happenings in the physical environment. The subjects covered are mechanics, heat and sound.

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC*
*UC credit limits may apply. PHYS 101, PHYS 102 combined with PHYS 201, PHYS 202 and PHYS 203: maximum credit, one series, deduct credit for duplication of topics.

Prerequisite: MATH 140 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher or "Pass."  Entering students must attain a satisfactory score on the Calculus Readiness Test.

Physics 102- General Physics

This course is a continuation of Physics 101.  It includes electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics.

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC*
*UC credit limits may apply. PHYS 101, PHYS 102 combined with PHYS 201, PHYS 202 and PHYS 203: maximum credit, one series, deduct credit for duplication of topics.

Pre-Requisite: PHYS 101 or equivalent with a grade of Credit or "C" or higher.

Physics 201- Engineering Physics

This is the first course in a three-semester sequence designed to meet the requirements for engineering and related majors. Topics to be covered are mechanics, wave motion and sound.

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC*
*UC credit limits may apply. PHYS 101, PHYS 102 combined with PHYS 201, PHYS 202 and PHYS 203: maximum credit, one series, deduct credit for duplication of topics.

Prerequisite: PHYS 100 or PHYS 101 and MATH 170 or equivalents with grades of "C" or higher or "Pass."

Physics 202- Engineering Physics

This course emphasizes the physics of electricity and magnetism. The units of study under electricity include electrostatics, DC circuits and capacitance. Magnetism will cover magnetic fields, force on conductors, torque on coils, motional electromagnetic force and induction, self and mutual inductance, magnetic properties of matter and some basic AC theory.

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC*
*UC credit limits may apply. PHYS 101, PHYS 102 combined with PHYS 201, PHYS 202 and PHYS 203: maximum credit, one series, deduct credit for duplication of topics.

Prerequisite: PHYS 201 and MATH 170 or equivalents with grades of "C" or higher or "Pass."
Corequisite: MATH 190 or prior completion of MATH 190 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher or "Pass."

Physics 203- Engineering Physics

This course is a study of heat, light and modern physics. The unit on heat covers such topics as thermometry, calorimetry, the gas laws, thermodynamics and kinetic theory. Optics include geometric and physical optics. Modern physics touches on selected topics such as photoelectric effects, x-ray production and nuclear effects.

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC*
*UC credit limits may apply. PHYS 101, PHYS 102 combined with PHYS 201, PHYS 202 and PHYS 203: maximum credit, one series, deduct credit for duplication of topics.

Prerequisite: PHYS 201 and MATH 170 or equivalents with grades of "C" or higher or "Pass."
Corequisite: MATH 190 or prior completion of MATH 190 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher or "Pass."