Physics

This course covers the astronomy of our own solar system. The course is designed for the non-science major and incorporates laboratory exercises and field trips to observatories/planetariums. Topics include Newton's laws; astronomical instruments; radiation and spectra; earth and the earth-like planets; the Jupiter-like planets; moons, comets and asteroids; and the origin of the solar system and the sun. Laboratory work may involve exercises demonstrating Newton's laws; the construction of astronomical instruments, the analysis of spectra, orbit analysis and tides. No mathematical background is assumed.

Required lab for PCS 110 Astromonomy I: Solar.

This course covers the astronomy of the stars and galaxies. The course is designed for the non-science major and incorporates laboratory exercises and field trips to observatories. Topics include radiation and spectra, astronomical instruments, analysis and classification of stars, birth and death of stars, relativity theory, black holes, galaxies, quasars, interstellar matter and the big bang theory. Laboratory exercises may involve spectra analysis, construction of optical instruments, star classification, star chart analysis and radio astronomy. No mathematical background is assumed.

Required lab for PCS 112 Astronomy II: Stellar Astronomy.

This course begins with mechanics, including linear kinematics, Newton's laws, statics, work, power, conservation of energy, collisions, conservation of momentum, uniform circular motion and rotational dynamics. Mechanical properties of matter in the solid, liquid, and gaseous states are introduced. The study of wave motion includes transverse and longitudinal kinetic theory, thermal properties of matter and the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Laboratory exercises reinforce the concepts studied in class. Prerequisite: MAT 102 or placement.

Required lab for PCS 120 College Physics I.

This course is a continuation of College Physics I. It covers electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. The introduction to electricity and magnetism includes the Coulomb force, electric fields, electric potential, direct current circuits, the magnetic field and the magnetic force, ammeters and voltmeters, DC electric motors, electromagnetic induction, AC generators and transformers. The optics material begins with electromagnetic waves and proceeds through reflection, refraction, optical instruments, interference and diffraction. As time permits, special relativity and quantum physics are discussed. Laboratory exercises reinforce the concepts studied in class. Prerequisite: PCS 120.

Required lab for PCS 122 College Physics I.

This course covers mechanics, wave motion, sound, electricity, magnetism, light, astronomy and relativity for the middle school education major. Topics are chosen to meet the state educational requirements for science. Pre-requisite: MAT102.

Required lab for PCS 220 Physics for Life.

This course begins with mechanics, including linear kinematics, Newton's laws, statics, work, power, conservation of energy, collisions, conservation of momentum, uniform circular motion and rotational dynamics. Mechanical properties of matter in the solid, liquid and gaseous states are introduced. The study of wave motion includes transverse and longitudinal waves, sound and the Doppler effect. The course concludes with a study of heat, including kinetic theory, thermal properties of matter and the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Laboratory exercises reinforce the concepts studied in class. Problems will often use calculus. Prerequisite: MAT 191. Corequisite: MAT 192

Required lab for PCS 230Physics with Calculus I.

This course, which assumes knowledge of differential and integral calculus, covers electricity and magnetism, optics and modern physics. The introduction to electricity and magnetism includes the Coulomb force, electric fields, electric potential, direct current circuits, the magnetic field and the magnetic force, ammeters and voltmeters, DC electric motors, electromagnetic induction, AC generators and transformers. The optics material begins with electromagnetic waves and proceeds through reflection, refraction and optical instruments with a focus on the Lorentz transformations, the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom and atomic energy levels. Laboratory exercises reinforce the concepts studied in class. Prerequisites: MAT 192 and PCS 201. Corequisite: MAT 293.

Required lab for PCS 232 Physics with Calculus II.

This course, which explores a topic of contemporary interest to the study of physics, is offered to students with sophomore standing.

This course, which involves supervised research on a selected topic, is offered as needed to students with sophomore standing. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor