Physics
Physics (PHYS) Courses
PHYS 310 Conceptual Physics
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Physics 310 requires some reading and also some algebraic skills.
- Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: PHYS 310 and 311 combined: maximum credit, one course. No credit for PHYS 310 or PHYS 311 if taken after PHYS 350, PHYS 360, PHYS 411, PHYS 421 or PHYS 431 No credit for PHYS 310 or 311 if taken after PHYS 350, 360, 411, 421 or 431)
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B1; IGETC Area 5A
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course provides a conceptual overview of Newtonian and modern physics for non-science students. The conceptual or non-mathematical approach to physics is tied to the student's personal experience in their everyday life. The student learns to see physics not as a classroom or laboratory activity, but as a part of his or her surroundings. The class is open to all students with no previous physics course.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- provide the non-science major with a coherent concept of physical reality by the introduction of the central ideas, principles, and relationships of physics and relating them to everyday experience.
- provide a stimulating intellectual experience which can promote interest and motivation for continued inquiry into science, its methods, and value to modern society.
- bolster scientific understanding using the scientific method, deduction and application to the physical world.
PHYS 311 Basic Physics
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:MATH 335 with a grade of "C" or better, or placement through the assessment process.; or a high school course in trigonometry with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: PHYS 310 and 311 combined: maximum credit, one course. No credit for PHYS 310 or PHYS 311 if taken after PHYS 350, PHYS 360, PHYS 411, PHYS 421 or PHYS 431 No credit for PHYS 310 or 311 if taken after PHYS 350, 360, 411, 421 or 431)
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B1; IGETC Area 5A
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is a survey course for science, engineering, mathematics, architecture, and computer science majors who have had no previous physics courses and plan to continue with PHYS 350 or 411. The course will develop the math and science background and the problem-solving skills necessary for success in Physics 350 or 411. Material covered will include math review, vectors, and basic mechanics (kinematics, Newton's Laws, and energy).
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- describe fundamental principles and basic definitions in classical mechanics.
- solve conceptual problems in classical mechanics.
- solve trigonometry and algebra-based problems in classical mechanics and clearly communicate steps taken in the solution.
- solve problems with vector decomposition and recombination.
- lay out the scientific method and its application to physics and physics problems.
PHYS 312 Conceptual Physics Laboratory
- Units:1
- Hours:54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:PHYS 310; Phys 310 needs to be taken concurrently with Phys 312, or have been completed with a grade "C" or better prior to taking Phys 312.
- Advisory:Physics 312 requires some reading and also some algebraic skills.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:CSU Area B3; IGETC Area 5C
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This laboratory course provides hands-on or at home or simulations observation activities and interpretation of data in a variety of experimental situations. Topics include motion, sound, light, heat, electricity, and magnetism.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- collect, analyze, and present experimental data.
- tabulate, graph, and interpret various experimental measurements and calculated results.
- apply dimensions and units correctly for various physical quantities.
- use instruments such as a protractor, mass balance, timer, ammeter, and voltmeter.
- write a well organized and complete lab report.
PHYS 350 General Physics
- Units:4
- Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:MATH 335 with a grade of "C" or better; or a high school course in trigonometry with a grade of "C" or better.
- Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: PHYS 350, 360 and 411, 421, 431 combined: maximum credit, one series )
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B1; CSU Area B3; IGETC Area 5A; IGETC Area 5C
- C-ID:C-ID PHYS 105; Part of C-ID PHYS 100S
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the first course of the trigonometry-based general physics sequence designed for life science majors. Topics will include classical mechanics, fluids, mechanical waves and thermodynamics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand and apply fundamental principles and basic definitions in classical mechanics, fluids, mechanical waves and thermodynamics.
- solve conceptual problems in classical mechanics, fluids, mechanical waves and thermodynamics.
- solve trigonometry and algebra based problems in classical mechanics, fluids, mechanical waves and thermodynamics and clearly communicate steps taken in the solution.
- analyze experimental data in classical mechanics, fluids, mechanical waves and thermodynamics.
PHYS 360 General Physics
- Units:4
- Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:PHYS 350 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: PHYS 350, 360 and 411, 421, 431 combined: maximum credit, one series )
- General Education:CSU Area B1; CSU Area B3; IGETC Area 5A; IGETC Area 5C
- C-ID:C-ID PHYS 110; Part of C-ID PHYS 100S
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the second course of the trigonometry-based general physics sequence designed for life science majors. Topics will include classical electricity and magnetism, AC and DC circuits, electromagnetism, optics, wave theory and modern physics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand and apply fundamental principles and basic definitions in classical electricity and magnetism, AC and DC circuits, electromagnetism, optics, wave theory and modern physics.
- solve conceptual problems in classical electricity and magnetism, AC and DC circuits, electromagnetism, optics, wave theory and modern physics.
- solve trigonometry- and algebra-based problems in classical electricity and magnetism, AC and DC circuits, electromagnetism, optics, wave theory and modern physics and clearly communicate steps taken in the solution.
- analyze experimental data in classical electricity and magnetism, AC and DC circuits, electromagnetism, optics, wave theory and modern physics.
PHYS 411 Mechanics of Solids and Fluids
- Units:4
- Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:MATH 400 with a grade of "C" or better; See Corequisite
- Corequisite:MATH 401. May be taken previously with a grade of "C" or better.
- Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: PHYS 350, 360 and 411, 421, 431 combined: maximum credit, one series )
- General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B1; CSU Area B3; IGETC Area 5A; IGETC Area 5C
- C-ID:C-ID PHYS 205; Part of C-ID PHYS 200S
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the first course of the calculus-based physics sequence designed for students studying engineering, physics, chemistry, architecture, and computer science. This course offers a detailed examination of topics from the mechanics of particles, rigid bodies and fluids.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand and apply fundamental principles and basic definitions from the mechanics of particles, rigid bodies and fluids.
- solve conceptual problems in the mechanics of particles, rigid bodies and fluids.
- solve calculus, trigonometry and algebra-based problems in the mechanics of particles, rigid bodies and fluids and clearly communicate steps taken in the solution.
- analyze experimental data in the mechanics of particles, rigid bodies and fluids.
PHYS 412 Mechanics of Solids and Fluids: Problem Solving
- Units:1
- Hours:18 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:PHYS 411
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This will be a one unit discussion and application class devised to accompany PHYS411. This class will meet one hour a week to specifically work on problems and problem solving methods for Mechanics of Solids and Fluids.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- test the validity of a hypothesis using the scientific method.
- identify the basic physical principles that apply in a particular situation (such as Newton’s laws, energy conservation and momentum conservation).
- identify the basic physical principles that apply in a particular situation (such as Newton’s laws, energy conservation and momentum conservation).
- solve problems requiring the application of physics and mathematics up through calculus.
- interpret the results of physics calculations.
- define common physics terms and physical laws.
PHYS 421 Electricity and Magnetism
- Units:4
- Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:MATH 401 and PHYS 411 with grades of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: PHYS 350, 360 and 411, 421, 431 combined: maximum credit, one series )
- General Education:CSU Area B1; CSU Area B3; IGETC Area 5A; IGETC Area 5C
- C-ID:C-ID PHYS 210; Part of C-ID PHYS 200S
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the second course of the calculus-based physics sequence designed for students studying engineering, physics, chemistry, architecture, and computer science. This course offers a detailed examination of topics from electricity and magnetism.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand and apply fundamental principles and basic definitions from electricity and magnetism.
- solve conceptual problems in electricity and magnetism.
- solve calculus, trigonometry- and algebra-based problems in electricity and magnetism and clearly communicate steps taken in the solution.
- analyze experimental data in electricity and magnetism.
PHYS 422 Electricity and Magnetism: Problem Solving
- Units:1
- Hours:18 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:PHYS 421
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is a discussion and applications class devised to accompany PHYS 421. This class will meet one hour a week to specifically work on problems and problem solving methods for PHYS 421: Electricity and Magnetism.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- apply fundamental principles and basic definitions from electricity and magnetism and solve problems in this area.
- solve conceptual problems in electricity and magnetism.
- solve calculus, trigonometry- and algebra-based problems in electricity and magnetism and clearly communicate steps taken in the solution.
PHYS 431 Heat, Waves, Light and Modern Physics
- Units:4
- Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:MATH 401 and PHYS 411 with grades of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: PHYS 350, 360 and 411, 421, 431 combined: maximum credit, one series )
- General Education:CSU Area B1; CSU Area B3; IGETC Area 5A; IGETC Area 5C
- C-ID:C-ID PHYS 215; Part of C-ID PHYS 200S
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the third course of the calculus-based physics sequence designed for students studying engineering, physics, chemistry, architecture, and computer science. This course offers a detailed examination of topics from thermodynamics, waves, optics, and modern physics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand and apply fundamental principles and basic definitions from thermodynamics, waves, optics, and modern physics.
- solve conceptual problems in thermodynamics, waves, optics, and modern physics.
- solve calculus, trigonometry and algebra-based problems in thermodynamics, waves, optics, and modern physics and clearly communicate steps taken in the solution.
- analyze experimental data in thermodynamics, waves, optics, and modern physics.
PHYS 432 Heat, Waves, Light and Modern Physics: Problem Solving
- Units:1
- Hours:18 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:PHYS 431
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is a discussion and application class devised to accompany PHYS 431. This class will meet one hour a week to specifically work on problems and problem solving methods for Heat, Waves, Light and Modern Physics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand and apply fundamental principles and basic definitions from thermodynamics, waves, optics, and modern physics.
- solve conceptual problems in thermodynamics, waves, optics, and modern physics.
- solve calculus, trigonometry and algebra-based problems in thermodynamics, waves, optics, and modern physics and clearly communicate steps taken in the solution.
PHYS 495 Independent Studies in Physics
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course offers a student or a small group of students the opportunity to study areas of physics that go beyond what is normally covered in physics department courses. It is meant to be an extension of a particular topic of a specific physics department course, and so to be eligible, students must have completed a physics course at Folsom Lake College. They must also gain approval from a department faculty member for the topic of study.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles and basic definitions in the area of study.
- demonstrate the ability to solve conceptual problems in the the area of study.
- demonstrate the ability to solve problems of the appropriate mathematical level in the area of study.
PHYS 499 Experimental Offering in Physics
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the experimental courses description.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
This program is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics meta-major.
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