Non-science majors who are exploring their interests and want a survey of many topics in physics are one target population for Phys& 100. Also students who need a science course for general education requirements and students who need a physics course to prepare for diagnostic imaging take this course. This course provides some support for students who have avoided science by employing some nontraditional instruction methods and support for group learning. Running start students are good candidates if they do not plan a career in science. See a more detailed discussion below.
Both Phys& 100 and Phys 104 attract exploratory students. This course paints a broader canvas and is perhaps somewhat less rigorous as a result. You will see more topics in less detail but you will get a broader view of the field of physics. As in 104 students will discover that they can actually do science but in this course the number of occasions for this accomplishment is reduced .
Students preparing for the Diagnostic Ultrasound program will take Phys& 100 to get a preliminary exposure to scientific thinking and some specific knowledge about motion, physical reasoning and an introduction to wave phenomena. Students who are comfortable with their math skills and problem solving abilities will prefer this course for the specific treatment of waves. Others may want to take Phys 104 instead (see below).
Running start students who do not plan a science career but want a rounded education will find this a good course. However if science is in your future, your own high school physics course is better because it will give you more in depth practice. This latter group should not take P100 to replace their high school course.
Non-science majors who have avoided science enjoy this class because of the nontraditional class structure and group learning environment. This same feature demands regular attendance for success.
Physics 104 course is primarily for students who want are preparing for P114. Many students who have little exposure to science and are preparing for P121 also take this course. Be advised P104 by itself is not considered sufficient preparation for P121.
Students preparing for the Diagnostic Ultrasound program will take P104 to get solid exposure to scientific thinking and problem solving skills. The nontraditional class structure and group learning environment make this an excellent choice for students weak in science background or for students who have been away from school for a long time. Both the light and motion sections contain topics useful to these students but there is no specific instruction on wave phenomena.
Running start students who do not plan a science career but still have a strong interest in science will find this a good course. However if considerable science is in your future, your own high school physics course is better because it will introduce you to more concepts. This latter group should not take P104 to replace that class however it can supplement the high school course with hand-on and physical reasoning experience. A physics instructor will be happy to discuss your background and goals in detail to help you decide if this is a good choice for you.
Non-science majors who have avoided science enjoy this class because of the nontraditional class structure and group learning environment. This same feature demands regular attendance for success.
Physics 105 course is any student who wants to understand how light and human vision work. The content is especially useful for students in interior design, theater, visual arts, and photography. While acceptable, this course is not recommended for students who plan to gain admission to ultrasound or other medical imaging courses. Imaging concepts are treated, but the strong focus on light alone will leave these students unprepared in too many other areas.
Students will take P105 to learn about lighting, shadows, geometric optics, perspective, reflective surfaces, making images with mirrors and lenses, and the physics of color in light. The course connects the physics of light with human perception as well. Depth perception, the effects of shadow and shading, color vision, and color mixing theory are all addressed. The nontraditional class structure and group learning environment make this an excellent choice for students weak in science background or for students who have been away from school for a long time. While light is a wave there is no specific instruction on wave phenomena in P105.
Running start students who do not plan a science career but still have a strong interest in science will find this a good course. However if considerable science is in your future, your own high school physics course is better because it will introduce you to more concepts. This latter group should not take P105 to replace that class however it can supplement the high school course with hand-on and physical reasoning experience. A physics instructor will be happy to discuss your background and goals in detail to help you decide if this is a good choice for you.
This course is primarily focused on the needs of Information Technology students. Many general degree students also take this course because it satisfies a science credit and provides valuable insight into modern technology. “Now I really understand what my computer is doing” has been the pleased response of most students taking the course.
This may be the right course for you if you are preparing for careers in biology or health sciences. Some particular examples are: Biology, Wildlife Science, Physical therapy, Some nursing programs and naturopathic programs, etc.)
Pre-professional programs (pre-medical, Pre- Dental, Pre- Veterinary) require the whole sequence.
Some programs only require the first quarter of the sequence. Occupational therapy, Forestry, and Building and Construction Management.
The sequence is recommended (but not required) for Botany, Fisheries, and Medical Technology.
Non-science majors looking for a comprehensive survey of physics generally take this sequence. You will want the whole sequence to cover all the topics.
Students preparing for P121 often take P114 as there is no course that specifically serves this need. However this is only one of several ways to prepare for P121. See the comments following P121 Prerequisites for details.
See audience for Physics 114 (above)
See audience for Physics 114 (above)
The calculus based physics sequence (P121-P123) is required by all physics and Engineering programs and by most Computer Science programs.
You will also want this course if your major is one of the physical sciences (Chemistry, Oceanography, Geology, Atmospheric Sciences or Astronomy). Some programs will accept the algebra based sequence (P114-P116), but this is not common. Check with your expected transfer institution.
Strong Science students in other disciplines often take this course because it is more rigorous and detailed than the Algebra Based Sequence (P114-P116). Some disciplines that look favorably on this choice are: Zoology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and any pre-med program.
See above
See above
This course is for science majors who want an introduction to modern physics. The course examines the revolution in thought that occured during the twentieth century breaking from classical views. Any strong student of science will find a basis in this course for understanding the main ideas of modern science. Physics majors will want this course to prepare for upper division work in quantum mechanics and reletivity.
Last Updated November 25, 2014
