Montgomery County Community College

Physics Courses

• PHY 120 Introduction to Astronomy
• PHY 121 General Physics I
• PHY 122 General Physics II
• PHY 151 Principles of Physics I
• PHY 152 Principles of Physics II
• PHY 153 Modern Physics
• PHY 199 Independent Study in Physics

PHY 120 Introduction to Astronomy

Introduction to astronomy is a one-semester college-level course in basic descriptive astronomy. The course may be used as a laboratory science elective with the mathematical applications limited to basic algebra. The course explores a broad range of topics in astronomy, as well as concepts and principles in eleven major areas: understanding the sky, apparent motions of the planets, light and atoms, the sun, the planets, telescopes, individual stars, the ecology of stars, galaxies, cosmology, and life in the universe. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on recurring scientific principles and the evidence that astronomers use to support their conclusions the course also focuses on the importance of astronomy and shows how astronomers have come to know what they know about the universe and how they seek answers to new questions. (Field trips to local planetarium and observatory are required) also see AST 120 and GLG 121. Prerequisites: High school Algebra and English or MAT 011 and ENG 011 with a minimum grade of "C" or better. This course meets General Education Core Goal 2: Analytic Skills; Core Goal 5: Information Literacy; and Core Goal 8: Physical and Life Sciences

PHY 121 General Physics I

This course, designed for liberal arts and life science majors, is an algebra-based approach to the experimental and analytical study of Newtonian mechanics and thermal physics, emphasizing one-and two-dimensional kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, energy, momentum, conservation theorems, center of mass, rotational dynamics, static equilibrium, thermal properties of materials, calorimetry, the laws of thermodynamics, and heat engines. PREREQUISITE(S): Students must have successfully completed or tested out of: High school algebra or MAT 011 Beginning Algebra. This course meets General Education Core Goal 2: Analytic Skills; Core Goal 5: Information Literacy; and Core Goal 8: Physical and Life Sciences

PHY 122 General Physics II

This course, designed for liberal arts and life science majors, is an algebra-based approach to the experimental and analytical study of oscillations, wave motion, acoustics, electrostatics, electric fields, basic direct-current circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, light, and optics. The course also introduces students to the basic concepts of modern physics. PREREQUISITE(S): Students must have successfully completed or tested out of: High School algebra or MAT 011 Beginning Algebra. PHY 121 General Physics I (Algebra-based), is strongly recommended, but not required.

PHY 151 Principles of Physics I

This calculus-based course, designed for physical science majors, presents in depth an experimental and analytical study of Newtonian mechanics and thermal physics, emphasizing one- and two-dimensional kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, conservation theorems, linear and angular momentum, collisions, rotational dynamics, statics, fluid mechanics, thermal properties of materials, laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of ideal gases, calorimetry, Carnot cycle, heat engines, and heat pumps. PREREQUISITE(S): High school physics or PHY 121 General Physics I and PHY 122 General Physics II CO-REQUISITE(S): MAT 189 Calculus With a Review of Functions II or MAT 190 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I. This course meets General Education Core Goal 2: Analytic Skills; Core Goal 5: Information Literacy; and Core Goal 8: Physical and Life Sciences

PHY 152 Principles of Physics II

This calculus-based course, designed for physical science majors, presents in depth an experimental and analytical study of mechanical oscillators, simple harmonic motion, waves, acoustics, resonance, electrostatics, electric fields, DC and AC circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic waves, including the laws of Coulomb, Faraday, Gauss, Ampere, and Kirchhoff. The course will also cover the nature of light, and geometrical and physical optics, as applied to reflection, refraction, polarization, interference, and diffraction. PREREQUISITE(S): PHY 151 Principles of Physics I, MAT 189 Calculus With a Review of Functions II or MAT 190 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I CO-REQUISITE(S): MAT 201 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II

PHY 153 Modern Physics

A one semester course covering an introduction to the basic concepts underlying modern physics. Topics include the theories Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics with emphasis on the physical phenomena and experiments that led up to the origin of these theories. The course continues through a study of the applications of quantum mechanical theories to specialized areas of solids and nuclear physics. In addition to lectures and problem solving the course will make use of computer facilities and soft- ware to permit the student to observe and experience simulations of realistic numerical problems in the field of modern physics. Prerequisites: MAT 201 and PHY 152

PHY 199 Independent Study in Physics

This course will be employed to cover a situation involving a student request to pursue the lecture content of any of the listed physics courses (PHY 115 through PHY 153) on an independent study basis. This course identification would be employed very rarely, usually in the situation involving a student who has obtained the laboratory aspect of a physics program at another institution, and required only the lecture content from a specific physics course offered at Montgomery County Community College. Prerequisites: Prerequisites will be the same as the particular physics course being replaced by the Independent Study approach.

Last Updated: 02-23-2011