Physics Course Descriptions

Lower Division

PHYS 117 Introduction to Physics (4)
Emphasis on conceptual mechanics, fluids, sound, electricity, and optics. For students requiring general education science elective, and majors in nursing and elementary education. Three lectures, one two-hour laboratory per week. Does not apply toward a major in physics.

PHYS 118 Health Science Physics (4)
Problem solving and laboratory experiments in elementary physics. Topics covered will be those of particular interest to students in the various allied health fields. Attention given to developing problem-solving skills and laboratory techniques. Three lectures, one two-hour laboratory per week. Does not apply toward a major in physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 117 and MATH 007, or equivalent.

PHYS 184 Introduction to Physics and Engineering (1)
Freshman or sophomore students register for this seminar, which is devoted to exploring careers and opportunities for professional advancement in these fields.
Identical to: ENGR 184.

PHYS 185 Physics Seminar (1)
Informal seminars on physics and related topics of mutual interest to faculty and students. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of two units.

PHYS 231 General Physics I (4)
Kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, properties of matter, momentum, energy. (Recommended preparation for General Physics includes high school courses in algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry and physics.) Four lectures per week. Students with calculus background should enroll in the B section of the course. Students with only algebra and trigonometry background should enroll in the A section of the course. Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 231L.
Prerequisite: MATH 122, or equivalent.
Prerequisite B: MATH 132, or equivalent.

PHYS 231L General Physics I Laboratory (1)
One three-hour laboratory per week. Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 231.

PHYS 232 General Physics II (4)
Electric and magnetic forces and fields, DC and AC properties of circuits, electromagnetic induction. Four lectures per week. Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 232L.
Prerequisite: PHYS 231A.
Prerequisite B: PHYS 231B .

PHYS 232L General Physics II Laboratory (1)
One three-hour laboratory per week. Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 232.

PHYS 233 General Physics III (4)
Geometrical and physical optics, harmonic motion and wave phenomena, quantum physics of the atom and nucleus. Four lectures per week. Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 233L.
Prerequisite: PHYS 232A.
Corequisite B: PHYS 232B.

PHYS 233L General Physics III Laboratory (1)
One three-hour laboratory per week. Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 233.

PHYS 298 Directed Research (1-4)
Completion of a laboratory research project under the supervision of an on-campus faculty member or approved off-campus research supervisor. May be repeated for additional credit. Minimum three hours laboratory per week per unit of credit.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

PHYS 299 Directed Study (1-4)
Directed study of a problem suited to the background and experience of the student. May be repeated for additional credit. Minimum of 25 clock hours per unit required for a passing grade.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

Upper Division

PHYS 304 Astronomy (4)
Introduction to astronomy for the non-science student. Observational astronomy, the solar system, physics of stars and stellar systems. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Does not apply toward a physics major.

PHYS 307 Seminar in Acoustics (2)
Basic physics of sound; acoustics of rooms, human voice, and musical instruments; the relationship between humans and their sonic environment; development of critical listening skills. Individual project or paper. One-hour lecture/discussion and two-hour laboratory weekly.
Prerequisite: The university mathematics requirement must be met before enrolling in this course.

PHYS 308 Computer Methods in Science (2)
Methods of numerical solution to problems of intermediate engineering and physics, including radioactive decay, velocity dependent forces, diffusion, and chaotic behavior in oscillating systems; use of standard computer software tools and application packages; development of skills for solving problems by numerical simulation. Two lecture/laboratory sessions weekly.
Prerequisites: PHYS 233; MATH 132.

PHYS 315 Modern Physics (4)
The experimental foundations of quantum physics and an introduction to quantum concepts applied to atoms, nuclei, simple molecules, and to solids. Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
Identical to: CHEM 353 Physical Chemistry/Quantum Mechanics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 233; MATH 132.

PHYS 324 Dynamics (4)
Vector kinetics and kinematics of moving bodies in both moving and fixed reference frames, moments of inertia, work and energy, impulse and momentum. Keplerian motion, harmonic motion, conservative dynamic systems.
Identical to: ENGR 324.
Prerequisite: MATH 133; PHYS 231.

PHYS 334 Introduction to Optics (4)
Geometric and physical optics, aberrations, optical instrumentation, interference and polarization. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: PHYS 233; MATH 133.

PHYS 351 Electronics for Scientists I (2)
A computer based electronics course emphasizing acquisition of signals, control of experiment parameters, and digital signal conditioning. Electronic concepts and devices are introduced as needed. One lecture and one laboratory or equivalent per week.
Prerequisite: PHYS 232.

PHYS 352 Electronics for Scientists II (2)
Continuation of PHYS 351 with emphasis on analog signal conditioning and processing. One lecture and one laboratory or equivalent per week.
Prerequisite: PHYS 351.

PHYS 384 Introduction to Physics and Engineering (1)
Juniors, seniors, or transfer students register for this seminar during the autumn term, which is devoted to exploring careers and opportunities for professional advancement in these fields. May be repeated with a maximum of one unit applying toward the major.

PHYS 385 Physics Seminar (1)
Informal seminars on physics and related topics of mutual interest to faculty and students. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of two units.

PHYS 404 Biophysics (4)
Physical phenomena associated with living systems. Topics selected from transport and diffusion phenomena, electrical properties of nerves and membranes, biofeedback and control, atomic and nuclear interactions with tissue, imaging, signal analysis. Four lectures per week with occasional lab assignments.
Prerequisite: PHYS 232, 233; MATH 133.

PHYS 415 Advanced Physics Laboratory (2)
Experimental methods and instrumentation chosen to synthesize concepts studied in advanced physics courses. May be repeated for additional credit.

PHYS 477 Nuclear Radiation Detection and Measurement (2)
Basic nuclear physics of radioisotopes, properties of ionizing radiation, nuclear instrumentation and counting statistics, dosimetry, biological applications. One-hour lecture and three-hour laboratory weekly.
Prerequisite: PHYS 233

PHYS 486 Topics in Physics (1-4)
Topics in physics selected by faculty and students to enrich and strengthen the physics curriculum. May not be used to replace a core or cognate requirement. May be repeated with new content for additional credit.

PHYS 494 Workshop in Physics (1-4)
Content selected to support the continuing education needs of secondary school science faculty. May be repeated with new content for additional credit. May not be applied toward a major or minor in physics.

PHYS 498 Directed Research (1-4)
Completion of a laboratory research project under the supervision of an on-campus faculty member or approved off-campus research supervisor. May be repeated for additional credit. Minimum three hours laboratory per week per unit of credit.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

PHYS 499 Directed Study (2-4)
Directed study of a problem suited to the background and experience of the student. May be repeated for credit. A minimum of 25 clock hours per unit required for a passing grade.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

Engineering Course Descriptions

Lower Division

ENGR 184 Introduction to Physics and Engineering (1)
Freshman or sophomore students register for this seminar during the autumn term, which is devoted to exploring careers and opportunities for professional advancement in these fields. May be repeated with a maximum of one unit applying toward the major.
Identical to: PHYS 184.

ENGR 185 Engineering Seminar (1)
Informal seminars on engineering and related topics of mutual interest to faculty and students. May be repeated for a maximum of two units.

ENGR 298 Directed Research (1-4)
Completion of a laboratory research project under the supervision of an on-campus research supervisor. May be repeated for additional credit. Minimum three hours laboratory per week per unit of credit.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

ENGR 299 Directed Study (1-4)
Directed study of a problem suited to the background and experience of the student. May be repeated for additional credit. Minimum of 25 clock hours per unit required for a passing grade.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

Upper Division

ENGR 324 Dynamics (4)
Vector kinetics and kinematics of moving bodies in both moving and fixed reference frames, moments of inertia, work and energy, impulse and momentum. Keplerian motion, harmonic motion, conservative dynamic systems.
Identical to: PHYS 324.
Prerequisite: MATH 133; PHYS 231.

Send mail to physics@lasierra.edu