2011-2012 CATALOG

This is an archived copy of the 2011-2012 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.miracosta.edu

Physical Science

Physical science, the study of the nature and properties of energy and nonliving matter, is an interdisciplinary field that includes astronomy, geology, physics, and chemistry. Students take physical science courses to explore the discipline and to satisfy general education requirements.

Contact Information

Department Chair: Chris Metzler

Dean: Carlos Lopez

www.miracosta.edu/PHSN

Department: Physical Sciences

Office: Building SAN 400, 760.795.7879

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses listed in this catalog apply to the fall 2011, spring 2012, and summer 2012 terms. Courses are numbered numerically within alphabetically arranged subject areas.

The bolded first line begins with a capitalized abbreviation that designates the subject area. This subject-area designator is followed by the official course number and a descriptive title. The next lines indicate the course's unit value, 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

PHSN 101: Fundamentals of Physical Science

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1901.00)

This physical science survey course includes astronomy, geology, physics, and chemistry. It emphasizes an understanding of the fundamental principles, procedures, and methods in science. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: No credit if taken after college course in Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics.

PHSN 106: Energy, Motion, and Matter: An Introduction to Physics and Chemistry

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours. (1901.00)

This course introduces the non-scientist to the fundamental concepts of physics and chemistry. Physics topics include motion, force, work, energy, gravity, electricity, magnetism, and light. Chemistry topics include chemical and physical properties of elements and compounds, the periodic table, atomic theory and structure, chemical bonding, and nuclear structure and processes. This course also teaches students how to analyze and solve problems using critical thinking and the scientific method. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: No credit if taken after college course in Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics.

PHSN 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 60 non-paid or 75 paid hours of work per unit.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.