2013-2014 CATALOG

This is an archived copy of the 2013-2014 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: Carlos Lopez

www.miracosta.edu/PHYS

Department: Physical Sciences

Office: Building OC3600, 760.795.6844

Full-Time Faculty

Jonathan Cole
Erika Peters

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses listed in this catalog apply to the fall 2013, spring 2014, and summer 2014 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, and limitations on enrollment if they exist; CSU/UC 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.
Enrollment Limitations: Some courses place restrictions on enrollment. Most of these restrictions prevent students from duplicating course work. Others specify something the student must do prior to enrolling in a course, such as audition or obtain special approval. Some enrollment limitations restrict the number of units a student can earn within a group of similar courses.
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.

Some course descriptions are followed by a C-ID number. The purpose of C-ID numbers is to identify comparable courses within the California community college system. When a course has a C-ID number, students can be assured the course will be accepted in lieu of a course bearing the same C-ID designation at another community college.

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses

PHYS 111: Introductory Physics I

Units: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 130.
Advisory: MATH 125 or MATH 135 strongly recommended.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in PHYS 151.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1902.00)

This first course of a two-semester physics sequence covers the properties of matter, mechanics, heat, and waves, including sound. It is intended for students majoring in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-optometry, and similar areas. 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)

This second of a two-course physics sequence covers light, electricity, magnetism, and atomic physics. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for either series PHYS 111 and PHYS 112 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152, and PHYS 253.

PHYS 151: Principles of Physics I

Units: 4
Prerequisites: MATH 150 or MATH 150H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. (1902.00)

This course provides a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of physics in the area of mechanics and fluids. It is intended primarily 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: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
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.

PHYS 298: Directed Study in Physics

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor and department chair approval and successful completion of 12 units of college work with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Repeatability Rule: May be taken for a total of 3 units.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours
Laboratory 6 hours
Laboratory 9 hours. (1902.00)

This course allows students to pursue a special area of interest in order to achieve specific goals beyond the scope of existing courses within the discipline. Students work independently and interact directly with an instructor on an individual basis and as prescribed by the Directed Study Agreement.