100 Introductory Physics -
3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 4 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Advisory: Mathematics 46 with a grade of "C" or better,
or equivalent, or Assessment Skill Level M40.
This course is designed for transfer-level students or
for those wanting to acquire basic knowledge in
physics with a minimum preparation in mathematics.
A comprehensive coverage of subject matter in
physics is presented, including mechanics, wave
motions, thermodynamics, optics, electromagnetism,
atomic and nuclear physics. Emphasis is on the
conceptual aspects, including explanation of natural
phenomena. The learning of concepts is reinforced
through laboratory work.
(FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: No credit for Physics (PHYS) 100 if taken after a college level course in Physics.
125 General Physics -
4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 5 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Prerequisite: Mathematics 104 or Mathematics 116,
with a grade of “C” or better, or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to
students with previous credit for Physics 120A, 181A,
124A, 125A, or 195.
This course is an introductory survey of the concepts and principles of physics. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the properties of matter, mechanics, heat and sound. This course is intended for students taking liberal arts and/or preprofessional courses that do not require physics with calculus.
(FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: Physics (PHYS) 120A-120B, 121A-121B, 124A-124B, 125-126, 180A-180B, 181A-181B, 195A-195B-195C and 195-196-197 combined: maximum credit, one series.
126 General Physics II -
4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 5 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Prerequisite: Physics 125 with a grade of “C” or better,
or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to
students with previous credit for Physics 120B, 181B,
124B, 125B, 195B or 196.
This second course in a two-part introductory survey
explores the concepts and principles of physics.
Topics include electricity, magnetism, light, and
modern physics. This course is intended for students
taking liberal arts and/or pre-professional courses that
do not require physics with calculus.
(FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: Physics (PHYS) 120A-120B, 121A-121B, 124A-124B, 125-126,180A-180B, 181A-181B,195A-195B-195C and 195-196-197, combined: maximum credit, one series.
180A General Physics I -
4 hours lecture, 4 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Prerequisite: Mathematics 116 with a grade of "C" or
better, or equivalent.
Corequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in
Mathematics 121 with a grade of "C" or better, or
equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to
students with previous credit for Physics 120A and
Physics 125A, or credit or concurrent enrollment in
Physics 124A.
This course is an introductory survey of the concepts
and principles of physics. Emphasis is placed on
developing an understanding of the properties of
matter, mechanics, heat and sound in order to make
calculations and solve fundamental physics problems. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: Physics (PHYS) 120A-120B, 121A-121B, 124A-124B, 125-126, 180A-180B, 181A-181B, 195A-195B-195C and 195-196-197 combined: maximum credit, one series.
180B General Physics II -
4 hours lecture, 4 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Prerequisite: Physics 180A with a grade of "C" or better,
or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to
students with previous credit for Physics 120B and
Physics 125B, or credit or concurrent enrollment in
Physics 124B.
This course is an introductory survey of the concepts
and principles of physics. Emphasis is placed on
developing an understanding of the properties of
electricity, magnetism, light and modern physics in
order to make calculations and solve fundamental
physics problems. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: Physics (PHYS) 120A-120B, 121A-121B, 124A-124B, 125-126, 180A-180B, 181A-181B, 195A, 195B, 195C and 195-196-197 combined: maximum credit, one series.
181A General Physics Laboratory I -
3 hours lab, 1 unit (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Corequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment
in: Physics 180A with a grade of "C" or better, or
equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to
students with previous credit for Physics 121A.
This laboratory course is a hands-on study of the
properties of matter, mechanics, heat and sound \par
through laboratory experiments. This course is
designed for students interested in the physical
sciences. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to
CSU and/or private colleges and universities. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: Physics (PHYS) 120A-120B, 121A-121B, 124A-124B, 125-126, 180A-180B, 181A-181B, 195A-195B-195C and 195-196-197 combined: maximum credit, one series.
181B General Physics Laboratory II -
3 hours lab, 1 unit (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Prerequisite: Physics 180A with a grade of "C" or better,
or equivalent.
Corequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment
in: Physics 180B with a grade of "C" or better, or
equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to
students with previous credit for Physics 121B.
This laboratory course is a hands-on study of the
principles of electricity, magnetism, light and modern
physics through laboratory experiments. This course is
designed for students interested in the physical
sciences. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: Physics (PHYS) 120A-120B, 121A-121B, 124A-124B, 125-126, 180A-180B, 181A-181B, 195A-195B-195C and 195-196-197 combined: maximum credit, one series.
195 Mechanics -
4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 5 units
(Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Prerequisite: Mathematics 150 with a grade of "C" or
better, or equivalent.
Corequisite: Mathematics 151
Advisory: English 48 and English 49, each with a grade
of "C" or better, or equivalent, or Assessment Skill
Levels R5 and W5.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to
students with previous credit for Physics 195A and
Physics 196A.
The Physics 195, 196, 197 sequence is designed to give
a foundation in calculus-based physics for engineering
and science majors. Physics 195 deals primarily with
the description of motion, Newton's Laws, energy,
momentum, rotation, gravity, oscillatory motion, and
thermodynamics. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: Physics (PHYS) 120A-120B, 121A-121B, 124A-124B, 125-126, 180A-180B, 181A-181B, 195A-195B-195C and 195-196-197 combined: maximum credit, one series.
196 Electricity and Magnetism -
4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 5 units
(Grade Only)
Prerequisite: Physics 195 with a grade of "C" or better,
or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to
students with previous credit for Physics 195B and
196B.
This is the second of a three-semester calculus-based
general physics sequence, intended to satisfy the
transfer requirements of students planning to major in
the physical sciences and in engineering. The topics of
study include the basic principles and applications of
electrostatics, magnetostatics, time-varying electric
and magnetic phenomena, direct and alternating
current circuits, elementary electronics and
electromagnetic waves. Emphasis is placed on the
mathematical analysis of physical problems.
Laboratory work on various aspects of electric and
magnetic phenomena emphasizing direct current and
alternating current circuits is included. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: Physics (PHYS) 120A-120B, 121A-121B, 124A-124B, 125-126, 180A-180B, 181A-181B, 195A-195B-195C and 195-196-197 combined: maximum credit, one series.
197 Waves, Optics and Modern Physics -
4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, 5 units (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option)
Prerequisite: Physics 195 with a grade of "C" or better,
or equivalent.
Advisory: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in
Physics 196 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to
students with previous credit for Physics 195C and
Physics 196C.
Physics 197 is the third semester of a three semester
calculus-based course designed for prospective
scientists and engineers. Topics include the
fundamental principles of physics of waves, the
behavior of light, and an introduction to relativity,
quantum physics and the atomic and nuclear
properties of matter. PHYS 196 and 197 may be taken
concurrently only if PHYS 195 was completed with a
grade of "B" or better or with approval of the
department. (FT) AA/AS; CSU; UC Transfer Limitation: Physics (PHYS) 120A-120B, 121A-121B, 124A-124B, 125-126, 180A-180B, 181A-181B, 195A-195B-195C and 195-196-197 combined: maximum credit, one series.
This discipline may offer specialized instruction in
one or more of the following areas: Supervised
Tutoring (044), Experimental Topics (265),
Independent Study (290), Individualized Instruction
(296), Service Learning (277), or Work Experience
(270). Detailed course descriptions are listed on
page page 120. Please refer to the class schedule
and/or see the dean or department chair for
availability.