Courses
Natural Sciences
Physics (PHYS)
- PHYS-P 100 Physics in the Modern World (5 cr.) One year of high school algebra or equivalent is recommended. Ideas, language methods, impact, and cultural aspects of physics today. Four lectures and one two-hour laboratory period each week. Includes classical physics up to physical bases of radar, atomic-energy applications, etc. Beginning high school algebra used. Cannot be substituted for physics courses explicitly designated in specified curricula. Students successfully completing PHYS-P 201 or P 221 not given credit for PHYS-P 100.
- PHYS-P 105 Basic Physics of Sound (3 cr.) One year of high school algebra or equivalent is recommended. The physical principles involved in the description, generation, and reproduction of sound. Topics discussed include physics of vibrations and waves, Fourier decomposition of complex wave forms, harmonic spectra, propagation of sound waves in air, standing waves and resonance, sound loudness and decibels, room acoustics, and sound recording and reproduction, including digital sound. Intended for students majoring in the humanities, social sciences, business, music, and education. Little or no background in science is assumed. Mathematics at the level of one year of high school algebra is used.
- PHYS-P 120 Energy and Technology (3 cr.) One year of high school algebra or equivalent is recommended. Provides the physical basis for understanding interaction of technology and society, and for the solution of problems, such as energy use and the direction of technological change. Intended for students majoring in the humanities, social sciences, business, music and education. Little or no background in science is assumed. Mathematics at the level of one year of high school algebra is used.
- PHYS-P 201 General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, and Sound (5 cr.) Completion of MATH-M 122 or high school equivalent is recommended prior to enrollment. Newtonian mechanics, wave motion, heat, and thermodynamics. Application of physical principles to related scientific disciplines, especially life sciences. Intended for students preparing for careers in the life sciences and the health professions. Three lectures, one discussion section, and one two-hour laboratory period each week. Credit given only for either PHYS-P 201 or PHYS-P 221 or PHYS-P 100.
- PHYS-P 202 General Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, Light, and Nuclear Physics (5 cr.) P: PHYS-P 201 with a grade of C or better or consent of instructor. Electricity and magnetism; geometrical and physical optics; introduction to concepts of relativity, quantum theory, and atomic and nuclear physics. Credit given only for either PHYS-P 202 or PHYS-P 222.
- PHYS-P 219 General Physics II (4 cr.) P: PHYS-P 218 or equivalent. Electricity, light, and modern physics. Lecture and Lab.
- PHYS-P 221 Physics I (5 cr.) C: MATH-M 215. Newtonian mechanics, oscillations and waves, heat and thermodynamics. Credit given only for either PHYS-P 221 or PHYS-P 201 or PHYS-P 100.
- PHYS-P 222 Physics II (5 cr.) P: PHYS-P 221 with a grade of C or better or consent of instructor. Primarily electricity, magnetism, and geometrical and physical optics. Credit given only for either PHYS-P 222 or PHYS-P 202.
- PHYS-P 301 Physics III (3 cr.) P: PHYS-P 202 or PHYS-P 222 and MATH-M 215 with grade of C or better or consent of instructor or consent of instructor. Third semester of a three-semester sequence. The special theory of relativity; introduction to quantum physics; atomic, nuclear, condensed matter, and elementary particle physics. Intended for science and mathematics majors. Three lecture-discussion periods each week.
- PHYS-P 309 Intermediate Physics Laboratory (2 cr.) P: PHYS-P 202 or PHYS-P 222 and MATH-M 215 with grades of C or better or consent of instructor. Fundamental experiments in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics. Emphasis is placed upon developing basic laboratory skills and data analysis techniques, including computer reduction and analysis of the data.
- PHYS-P 310 Environmental Physics (3 cr.) P: PHYS-P 202 or PHYS-P 222 and MATH-M 215 with grades of C or better or consent of instructor. Relationships of physics to current environmental problems. Energy production, comparison of sources and byproducts; energy use, alternative sources, conservation methods; global warming, environmental effects.
- PHYS-P 331 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism I (3 cr.) P: PHYS-P 202 or PHYS-P 222 with grades of C or better or consent of instructor. Electrostatic fields and differential operators, Laplace and Poisson equations, dielectric materials, steady currents, power and energy, induction, magnetic fields, scalar and vector potentials, Maxwell's equations.
- PHYS-P 340 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (3 cr.) P: PHYS-P 301 with a grade of C or better or consent of instructor. Intermediate course, covering three laws of thermodynamics, classical and quantum statistical mechanics, and some applications.
- PHYS-P 441 Analytical Mechanics (3 cr.) P: PHYS-P 301 and MATH-M 313. Elementary mechanics of particles and rigid bodies, treated by methods of calculus and differential equations.
- PHYS-P 453 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3 cr.) P: PHYS-P 301 and PHYS-P 331. The Schroedinger equation with the applications to problems such as barrier transmission, harmonic oscillation, and the hydrogen atom. Discussion of orbital and spin angular momentum and identical particles. Introduction to perturbation theory.
- PHYS-S 405 Readings in Physics (1-3 cr.) C: Department consent required. Independent reading under the supervision of a faculty member. Study in depth of a topic of interest to the student, culminating in a research paper. Repeatable for credit.
- PHYS-S 406 Research Project (1-6 cr.) P: For a theoretical research project: PHYS-P 453 or consent of instructor. For experimental research project: PHYS-P 309, or consent of intructor. Research participation under faculty supervision in project of current interest. Repeatable for credit up to 6 units,