2010-2011 CATALOG

This is an archived copy of the 2010-2011 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.miracosta.edu

Physics

Physics is the scientific study of the basic forces of nature, including such topics as mechanics, heat, electricity, magnetism, optics, quantum behavior, and atomic and nuclear structure. Students take courses to prepare for a physics major, to fulfill general education requirements, and to meet prerequisites for related courses and programs, including engineering, science, and computer science. Career options for those with a bachelor's degree in physics include teaching, engineering, and research in universities, government, and private industry.

Contact Information

Department Chair: Chris Metzler

Dean: Ric Matthews

www.miracosta.edu/PHYS

Department: Physical Sciences

Office: Building SAN 400, (760) 795-7879

Full-Time Faculty

Jonathan Cole
Erika Peters

Associate Degree

Associate in Arts Degree

Physics

The Physics Program offers lower-division preparation for students who plan on transferring to pursue a bachelor's degree in physics. Students planning to transfer and/or earn this associate degree may also need to complete additional requirements or electives required by the transfer institution, as many CSUs and UCs have unique admissions and preparation-for-the-major requirements. Students should meet with a MiraCosta College counselor to identify required courses and to develop a written plan for their targeted university.

Required courses:
MATH 150	Calculus and Analytic Geometry I	5
MATH 155	Calculus and Analytic Geometry II	4
MATH 260	Calculus and Analytic Geometry III	4
PHYS 151	Principles of Physics I	4
PHYS 152	Principles of Physics II	4
PHYS 253	Principles of Physics III	4
Total Units		25

Additional math, science, and computer science courses may be required, depending on the preparation for the major (biophysics, general or applied physics, etc.) at specific universities. Please consult a counselor and www.assist.org for further information.

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses listed in this catalog apply to the fall 2010, spring 2011, and summer 2011 terms. Courses are numbered numerically within alphabetically arranged subject areas.

The bolded first line indicates the official course number, a descriptive title, and the number of units. The next lines indicate prerequisites, corequisites, advisories, repeatability rules, enrollment limitations, UC/CSU credit acceptance, and lecture and lab hours followed by a Taxonomy of Program number in parentheses.

Prerequisites: This is a requirement that must be met before a student can enroll in the course.
Corequisites: This is a course the student must take in the same semester.
Advisories: This is recommended preparation the student is advised but not required to have before or in conjunction with the course.
Repeatability Rules: When a course belongs to a group of related courses, students can complete one course or a combination of courses within the group for a maximum of four completions.
Enrollment Limitations: Some courses place limitations on enrollment. These limitations prevent students from duplicating course work or from enrolling in two sections of the same course in any given semester.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU means the course is accepted for transfer at any California State University (CSU) campus; UC means it is accepted for transfer at any University of California (UC) campus. Some courses can be used to satisfy general education or major requirements while others transfer as elective credit. UC Credit Limitation means credit for the course may have UC transfer restrictions; these restrictions are identified at the end of the course description.
Lecture and Lab Hours: These are the number of hours the course meets for lecture and/or lab per week.
Taxonomy of Program (TOP) Number: The TOP number is identified in parentheses after the lecture and lab hours. This number serves an administrative purpose and is not intended for student use.

The course description summarizes the purpose and key topical areas of the course, and it includes special requirements if any exist. Some course descriptions end with information about whether the course was "formerly" another course, how many times the course may be repeated, if the course is offered pass/no pass, or what the UC credit limitation is.

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses

PHYS 111: Introductory Physics I

Units: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 135 or MATH 125 and MATH 130 with a grade of C or better in each course or qualification through the Math Competency Exam or approved equivalent.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in PHYS 151.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1902.00)

First of a two-semester sequence for students majoring in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-optometry, and similar areas. Includes study of the properties of matter, mechanics, heat, and sound. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for either series PHYS 111 and PHYS 112 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152 and PHYS 253.

PHYS 112: Introductory Physics II

Units: 4
Prerequisites: PHYS 111.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in PHYS 152 and PHYS 253.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1902.00)

Continuation of Physics 111. Areas of study include light, electricity, magnetism, and atomic physics. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for either series PHYS 111 and 112 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152 and PHYS 253.

PHYS 151: Principles of Physics I

Units: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 150 with a grade of C or better or approved equivalent.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1902.00)

This course is designed to give a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of physics in the area of mechanics and fluids. For engineering, physics, mathematics, and science majors. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for either series PHYS 111 and PHYS 112 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152 and PHYS 253.

PHYS 152: Principles of Physics II

Units: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 155 and PHYS 151.
Corequisite: MATH 155 if prerequisites not met.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1902.00)

This course is designed to give a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of physics in the areas of thermodynamics, electricity, electrical circuits, magnetism, and electromagnetic fields. For engineering, physics, mathematics, and science majors. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for either series PHYS 111 and PHYS 112 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152 and PHYS 253.

PHYS 253: Principles of Physics III

Units: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 155 and PHYS 152.
Corequisite: MATH 155 and PHYS 152 if prerequisites not met.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1902.00)

This course is designed to give a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of physics in the areas of vibrations, waves, sound, optics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. For engineering, physics, mathematics, and science majors. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for either series PHYS 111 and PHYS 112 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152 and PHYS 253.

PHYS 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: Complete 6 units at MCC prior to internship; permission of instructor and department chair required.
Corequisite: Must currently be enrolled in 3 units and complete 60 hours of non-paid or 75 hours of paid work per unit of credit.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
(1902.00)

Individualized study linking classroom learning to the workplace. Approval form must be signed by instructor and department chair before registration. (May be taken for a total of 12 units.)

PHYS 298: Directed Studies in Physics

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and department chair.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours.
Laboratory 6 hours.
Laboratory 9 hours. (1902.00)

Individualized study, project or research in area of particular interest to the student and not included in the regular courses of the college. Approval form must be signed by instructor and department chair before registration. (May be taken for a total of 3 units.)