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Schenectady County Community College
Course Descriptions - Physics
PHY 106(3-0-3)
Meteorology

This course covers the fundamental concepts of meteorology including meteorological instruments and observation, synoptic chart interpretation, air masses, fronts, fog formation and dissipation, and severe weather. Also covered are weather reporting and forecasting and the dissemination of meteorological information. Students will be required to access and untilize the World Wide Web to review and formulate web-based weather strategies.
PR: One year of high school science

PHY 120(3-0-3)
Physical Science I

This is one of a two-course sequence for the non-science major designed to provide an overview of the basic concepts of physics, chemistry, earth science and space science. It covers the fundamentals of physics and space science; topics include the concepts of force, motion, energy, electricity, light, formation of the solar system, lifecycle of stars and classification of galaxies. In addition, the course will focus on the development and application of the scientific method, the relationships among the various physical sciences and the role of physical science in interpreting the world around us. Knowledge of basic algrbra and mathematical skills is required. Conceptual understanding of physical principles will be stressed rather than their mathematical interpretations.
PR: Two years of high school math

PHY 121(3-0-3)
Physical Science II

This is one of a two-course sequence for the non-science major designed to provide an overview of the basic concepts of physics, chemistry, earth science and space science. It covers the fundamentals of chemistry and earth science; topics include the atomic nature of matter, states of matter, changes of state, chemical reactions, the rock cycle, how chemical elements are cycled, the atmosphere and hydrosphere. In addition, the course will focus on the development and application of the scientific method, the relationships among the various physical sciences and the role of physical sciences in interpreting the world around us. Knowledge of basic algebra is required. Conceptual understanding of physical principles will be stressed rather than their mathematical interpretations.
PR: Two years of high school math

PHY 153(3-3-4)
Physics I

This course uses algebra, trigonometry and geometry to describe forces, kinematics, dynamics, and conservation laws. The following topics are covered: translation motion, torque, friction, projectile motion, momentum, rotational motion, simple harmonic motion, sound and thermodynamics. Vector algebra will be used extensively. This course cannot be used toward the Math/Science or Computer Science degree.
PR: MAT 129
F


PHY 154(3-3-4)
Physics II

This course is the second part of a one-year sequence. It uses algebra, trigonometry and geometry to describe fluids, electricity, magnetism, and optics. The following topics are covered: fluids at rest, electric force and field, potential, capacitance, current, resistance, DC circuits, magnetic force and fields, AC currents reflection, refraction, mirror lenses and gratings. This course cannot be used toward the Math/Science or Computer Science degree.
PR: MAT 129 or equivalent
S


PHY 221(3-3-4)
College Physics I

The course uses a calculus-based problem solving approach to describe kinematics, dynamics, conservation laws and sound. The following topics are covered: force, friction, translational and rotational motion, torque, momenta, periodic motion and sound.
PR: MAT 180
F


PHY 222(3-3-4)
College Physics II

The course is the second part of a one-year sequence. It uses a calculus-based problem solving approach to describe electricity, magnetism, induction, and optics. The following topics are covered: electric force and field, Gauss's Law, electric potential, capacitance and dielectrics, current, resistance and EMF, DC circuits, magnetic force and field, electromagnetic induction, AC circuits, geometric optics and wave optics.
PR: MAT 181
S



Last Updated: 07/03/09 08:00pm ET
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