California State University, San Marcos
Physics Courses
PHYS 101 - Introduction to Physics I (4)
An overview of the principles of mechanics, thermodynamics and waves. The areas covered include: Observation and measurement, kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, impulse and momentum, fluids, heat and temperature, oscillations, and waves in mechanical media.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra or equivalent, trigonometry, and completion of the Entry-Level Mathematics (ELM) requirement.
PHYS 102 - Introduction to Physics II (4)
An overview of the principles of electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and modern physics. The areas covered include: Electric charge, electric fields, electric potential, DC circuits, magnetism, magnetic fields, geometrical and physical optics, and atomic and nuclear physics.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: PHYS 101
PHYS 201 - Physics of Mechanics and Sound (4)
A broad coverage of the principles of mechanics and wave motion. The areas covered include: Observation and measurement, kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, impulse and momentum, equilibrium of rigid bodies, rotational motion, oscillations, and waves in mechanical media.
Required for students whose field of study is physics, chemistry, or computer science. Counts toward the fulfillment of the lower-division General Education requirement in Physical Universe and Its Life Forms.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Recommended: High school physics
Prerequisites: Completion of MATH 160 with a minimum grade of C. requirement.
PHYS 202 - Physics of Electromagnetism and Optics (4)
A broad coverage of classical electromagnetism and optics. The areas covered include: Electric charge, electric fields, electric potential, capacitors and dielectrics, DC circuits, magnetic fields, magnetic properties of matter, AC circuits, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, the nature and propagation of light, geometrical optics, and wave optics.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: Completion of PHYS 201 and Math 162 with a minimum grade of C in each.
Intended for students whose major field of study is physics and an elective course for students whose major field of study is chemistry or computer science.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: Completion of PHYS 202 with a minimum grade of C.
PHYS 205 - Physics for the Biological Sciences I (4)
A broad coverage of the principles of mechanics, properties of matter and wave motion. The topics covered include: Observation and measurement, kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, equilibrium, fluids and solids, thermodynamics, oscillations, and waves. Required for students whose field of study is biology.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Recommended: High school physics or an introductory college level physics course.
Prerequisites: Completion of MATH 160 with a minimum grade of C.
PHYS 206 - Physics for the Biological Sciences II (4)
A broad coverage of electromagnetism, optics, and nuclear physics. The areas covered include: Electrostatics, electric fields, magnetism, magnetic fields, elec tric circuits, geometrical optics, optical instruments, nuclear physics, radiation, and spectroscopy. Required for students whose field of study is biology.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: Completion of PHYS 201 or PHYS 205 with a minimum grade of C.
PHYS 301 - Digital Electronics (4)
Introduction to digital computer hardware design including: gates, flip-flops, registers, and memory to perform logical and arithmetic operations on numeric and other data represented in binary form. The laboratory uses digital logic integrated circuitry for experiments with combinational and sequential networks, and simple digital systems.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: PHYS 202 and CS 231 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C.
PHYS 302 - Computer Interfacing and Control(4)
Introduction to the design and use of digital computer interfaces, including serial, parallel, USB, synchronous and asynchronous interfaces. The laboratory provides hands on experience in computer interfacing through integrated circuits, sensors, and microcontrollers. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: Completion of PHYS 301 and CS 331 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C.
PHYS 303 - Introduction to Digital Signal Processing(4)
Introduction to signals and digital signal processing including: fundamentals of signals, signal processing, filter synthesis, discrete-time systems, discrete fourier transforms and FFT, Z-transforms, sampling, quantization, and image processing.
Three hours of lecture.
Prerequisites: PHYS 202, MATH 162 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C in each.
PHYS 321 - Electromagnetism (3)
An introduction to the applications of Maxwells equations and the propagation of EM waves in relation to matter. Topics to be covered include: dielectrics, conductors, plasmas, and waveguides, and selected topics in EM wave radiation, propagation, absorption, transmission, and diffraction.
Three hours of lecture.
Prerequisites: PHYS 202, PHYS 203, MATH 162 all with a grade of C or better.
PHYS 322 - Solid State Physics (3)
PHYS 322 provides an introduction to solid state physics. Topics to be covered include crystal structure, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids, elementary band theory, semiconductors, and solid state devices.
Three hours of lecture.
Prerequisites: PHYS 202, PHYS 203, MATH 162 all with a grade of C or better.
PHYS 323 - Quantum Mechanics (3)
This course provides an introduction to the concepts and theories of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Topics to be covered include early quantum theories, the Schroedinger equation, operators, angular momentum, and applications to simple quantum mechanical systems.
Three hours of lecture.
Prerequisites: PHYS 202, PHYS 203, MATH 162 all with a grade of C or better.
Recommended: Math 262.
PHYS 407/408 - Investigations in Physical Science for Teachers (2 or 3)
(See also Inquiry Oriented Physics (IOP).)
This is an interdisciplinary course in Chemistry and Physics designed to teach some of the basic principles in Physical Science. The content of this course will vary but will include one or more of the following: Properties of Matter, Heat and Temperature, Chemical Energy, Light and Optics, Electricity and Magnetism, Electric Circuits, Kinematics, Dynamics, Introductory Astronomy, Chemical Bonding, or Chemical Reactions.
The course is taught in a guided inquiry/discovery format and has a signigicant hands-on experimental component. This course can be repeated for credit with the consent of the instructor.
One or Two hours of lecture and two hours of acitivity.
Also listed as CHEM 407/408.
For more information please send email or call (760) 750-8034.