Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Physics

Physics

Physics is the scientific study of fundamental and universal phenomena. It explores the natural relationships that help us understand and predict the motion, organization and interaction of the most basic and measurable constituents of our physical existence. Physics, like all sciences, requires careful and continual observation and testing of its ideas, working hand-in-hand with creativity, imagination and an open mind.

Physics courses include conceptual and general physics, mechanics of solids and fluids, electricity, magnetism, heat, waves, light, and related topics.

Dean Paula Cardwell
Department Chair Dr. Kathryn Stanton

Physics (PHYS) Courses

PHYS 310 Conceptual Physics

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Pre-algebra or equivalent with a grade of “C-” or better. Students needing a review of mathematical concepts covered in this course should enroll in MATHS 10.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L5; Cal-GETC Area 5A
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course presents the physical laws that tie together the diverse phenomena of nature. This course uses a descriptive approach, with limited use of basic algebra, to increase the students' understanding of the everyday physical world.

PHYS 350 General Physics

Units:4
Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:High School Trigonometry or a course with equivalent Trigonometry content or MATH 373 with a grade of "C" or better.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L5; Cal-GETC Area 5A; Cal-GETC Area 5C
C-ID:C-ID PHYS 105
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a non-calculus based survey of general physics. It is designed for biological science students, including those in pre-medical, pre-dental, optometry, agricultural, and forestry programs. Topics include kinematics, Newton's Laws, dynamics of rigid bodies, work and energy, momentum, rotational motion, fluids, thermodynamics, and oscillatory motion (including mechanical waves and sound).

PHYS 360 General Physics

Units:4
Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:PHYS 350 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L5; Cal-GETC Area 5A; Cal-GETC Area 5C
C-ID:C-ID PHYS 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a non-calculus based survey of general physics. It is designed for biological science students, including those in premedical, pre-dental, optometry, agricultural, and forestry programs. Topics include electric charge, electric fields, AC and DC circuit theory, electromagnetism, geometric and wave optics, special relativity, atomic structure, quantum physics, and nuclear physics.

PHYS 410 Mechanics of Solids and Fluids

Units:5
Hours:72 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:MATH 400 with a grade of "C" or better
Corequisite:MATH 401
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L5; Cal-GETC Area 5A; Cal-GETC Area 5C
C-ID:C-ID PHYS 205; Part of C-ID PHYS 200S
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

Topics covered in this class include linear and rotational motion, Newton's laws, dynamics of rigid bodies, harmonic motion, and fluid statics. This course is for physics, mathematics, chemistry, architecture, and engineering majors. Eighteen (18) hours of the lecture are devoted to discussion sessions.

PHYS 420 Electricity and Magnetism

Units:5
Hours:72 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:MATH 401 and PHYS 410 with grades of "C" or better
Advisory:MATH 402
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L5; Cal-GETC Area 5A; Cal-GETC Area 5C
C-ID:C-ID PHYS 210; Part of C-ID PHYS 200S
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course presents an in-depth treatment of electricity and magnetism and stresses problem-solving. Topics covered include charge and electric force, electric fields, electrical potential, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, and DC and AC circuit theory. This course is for physics, mathematics, chemistry, architecture, engineering, and computer science majors. Eighteen (18) hours of the lecture are devoted to discussion sessions.

PHYS 430 Heat, Waves, Light and Modern Physics

Units:5
Hours:72 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:MATH 401 and PHYS 410 with grades of "C" or better
Advisory:MATH 402
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L5; Cal-GETC Area 5A; Cal-GETC Area 5C
C-ID:C-ID PHYS 215; Part of C-ID PHYS 200S
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course examines thermodynamics, wave theory, light and sound, geometrical and physical optics (including lenses and mirrors), quantum physics, and high-energy physics. The treatment of topics would be most appropriate for physics, mathematics, chemistry, architecture, and engineering majors. Eighteen (18) hours of the lecture are devoted to discussion sessions.

PHYS 494 Topics in Physics

Units:0.5 - 4
Hours:9 - 72 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is designed to enable both science and non-science students to learn about recent developments in physics. Selected topics would not include those that are part of current course offerings. UC transfer credit will be awarded only after the course has been evaluated by the enrolling UC campus. The units completed for this course cannot be counted towards the minimum 60 units required for admissions.

PHYS 495 Independent Studies in Physics

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is designed to allow a student or group of students to study selected topics or areas of physics that go beyond the other courses offered by the Physics department. Topics or areas of study are chosen by mutual agreement between the students and the professor overseeing the course.
UC transfer credit will be awarded only after the course has been evaluated by the enrolling UC campus. The units completed for this course cannot be counted towards the minimum 60 units required for admission to UC.

PHYS 499 Experimental Offering in Physics

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.