Physics Courses Offered at Santa Monica College (2019)
| Course | Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics 6: General Physics 1 with Lab | ||||
| Physics 7: General Physics 2 with Lab | not offered Winter term | |||
| Physics 8: General Physics 1 with calculus | ||||
| Physics 9: General Physics 2 with Calculus | not offered Summer term | not offered Fall term | not offered Winter term | |
| Physics 12: Introductory Physics | not offered Summer term | |||
| Physics 14: Introductory Physics with Lab | ||||
| Physics 21: Mechanics with Lab | ||||
| Physics 22: Electricity and Magnetism | not offered Winter term | |||
| Physics 23: Waves, Optics, Thermodynamics | not offered Summer term | not offered Winter term | ||
| Physics 24: Modern Physics with Lab | not offered Summer term | not offered Fall term | not offered Winter term |
Physics 6: General Physics 1
Prerequisite: Math 2 with a grade of C or better.
This course is an algebra-based study of the mechanics of solids and liquids, elastic properties of matter, heat, and sound.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 6:
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When presented with a physical situation and asked to solve a particular problem in mechanics (i.e. two masses connected via a string passing over a pulley), the student will follow a logical process based on well-established physics principles (i. e. Newton’s laws) and demonstrate ability to use basic mathematical techniques, not including calculus.
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When conducting a laboratory experiment and writing a lab report, the student will demonstrate understanding of the basics of the scientific method by being able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, taking careful measurements, estimating uncertainties, and drawing appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and on sound scientific principles.
Physics 7: General Physics 2
Prerequisite: Physics 6 with a grade of C or better.
This course is an algebra-based study of electricity and magnetism, optics, special relativity, atomic and nuclear physics.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 7:
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When presented with a physical situation and asked to solve a particular problem in, for example, electricity and magnetism (i.e. the motion of a moving charged particle inside a magnetic field), the student will follow a logical process based on well-established physics principles (i.e. the Lorentz force) and demonstrate ability to use basic mathematical techniques, not including calculus.
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When conducting a laboratory experiment and writing a lab report, the student will demonstrate understanding of the basics of the scientific method by being able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, taking careful measurements, estimating uncertainties, and drawing appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and on sound scientific principles.
Physics 8: General Physics 1 with Calculus
Prerequisite: Math 7 with a grade of C or better.
This course is a calculus-based study of the mechanics of solids and liquids, elastic properties of matter, heat, and wave motion.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 8:
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When presented with a physical situation and asked to solve a particular problem in mechanics (i.e. two masses connected via a string passing over a pulley), the student will follow a logical process based on well-established physics principles (i. e. Newton’s laws) and demonstrate ability to use basic mathematical techniques, including calculus.
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When conducting a laboratory experiment and writing a lab report, the student will demonstrate understanding of the basics of the scientific method by being able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, taking careful measurements, estimating uncertainties, and drawing appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and on sound scientific principles.
Physics 9: General Physics 2 with Calculus
Prerequisite: Physics 8 with a grade of C or better.
This course is a calculus-based study of electricity and magnetism, geometrical and physical optics, special relativity, and atomic and nuclear physics.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 9:
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When presented with a physical situation and asked to solve a particular problem in, for example, electricity and magnetism (i.e. the creation of an electric current by a changing magnetic field), the student will follow a logical process based on well-established physics principles (i.e. Maxwell’s equations) and demonstrate ability to use basic mathematical techniques, including calculus.
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When conducting a laboratory experiment and writing a lab report, the student will demonstrate understanding of the basics of the scientific method by being able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, taking careful measurements, estimating uncertainties, and drawing appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and on sound scientific principles.
Physics 12: Introductory Physics
Prerequisite: None
Physics 12 is designed for the student who is interested in a more conceptual and less mathematical approach to physics. It is a survey course introducing the topics of mechanics, heat, sound, electricity magnetism, light and modern physics. The emphasis will be on developing conceptual understanding of the laws of nature through lectures, demonstrations, and class discussions.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 12:
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When presented with a variety of natural phenomena from everyday life, the student will be able to give qualitative explanations using basic physics principles (i.e. Newton’s laws).
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When presented with simple physical situations, the student will be able to solve simple quantitative problems using basic physics principles (i.e. Newton’s laws).
Physics 14: Introductory Physics with Lab
Prerequisite: None
This course is similar to Physics 12 in content, and difficulty level, but with a laboratory session added to enhance the learning experience. Physics 14 is designed for the student who is interested in a more conceptual and less mathematical approach to physics. It is a survey course introducing the topics of mechanics, heat, sound, electricity magnetism, light and modern physics. The emphasis will be on developing conceptual understanding of the laws of nature through hands-on experiences, laboratory experiments, and computer interactions, in addition to lectures and demonstrations.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 14:
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When presented with a variety of natural phenomena from everyday life, the student will be able to give qualitative explanations and solve simple quantitative problems using basic physics principles (i.e. Newton’s laws).
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When doing a laboratory exercise and writing a report, the student will be able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, take careful measurements, estimate uncertainties, and draw appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and on sound scientific principles.
Physics 21: Mechanics with Lab
Prerequisite: Math 7 with a grade of C or better.
This course is a calculus-based study of the mechanics of rigid bodies, emphasizing Newton Laws and their applications. This course includes an introduction to fluids. It is designed for engineering, physical science, and computer science majors.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 21:
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When presented with a physical situation and asked to solve a particular problem in mechanics (i.e. two masses connected via a string passing over a pulley), the student will follow a logical process based on well-established physics principles (i. e. Newton’s laws) and demonstrate ability to use basic mathematical techniques including calculus.
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When conducting a laboratory experiment and writing a lab report, the student will demonstrate understanding of the basics of the scientific method by being able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, taking careful measurements, estimating uncertainties, and drawing appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and on sound scientific principles.
Physics 22: Electricity and Magnetism
Prerequisites: Physics 21 and Math 8 with a grade of C or better.
This course is a calculus-based study of the electricity and magnetism including the electric and magnetic properties of materials, direct and alternating current circuits, electromagnetic interactions and wave theory. In addition, this course introduces special relativity. It is designed for engineering, physical science, and computer science majors.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 22:
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When presented with a physical situation and asked to solve a particular problem in, for example, electricity and magnetism (i.e. the creation of an electric current by a changing magnetic field), the student will follow a logical process based on well-established physics principles (i.e. Maxwell’s equations) and demonstrate ability to use basic mathematical techniques, including calculus.
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When conducting a laboratory experiment and writing a lab report, the student will demonstrate understanding of the basics of the scientific method by being able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, taking careful measurements, estimating uncertainties, and drawing appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and on sound scientific principles.
Physics 23: Waves, Optics, Thermodynamics
Prerequisites: Physics 21 and Math 8 with a grade of C or better.
This course is a calculus-based study of the wave motion, heat, kinetic theory and optics. It is designed for engineering, physical science, and computer science majors.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 23:
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When presented with a physical situation and asked to solve a particular problem in thermodynamics, wave phenomena, or optics, the student will follow a logical process based on well-established physics principles (i.e. laws of thermodynamics) and demonstrate ability to use basic mathematical techniques, including calculus.
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When conducting a laboratory experiment and writing a lab report, the student will demonstrate understanding of the basics of the scientific method by being able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, taking careful measurements, estimating uncertainties, and drawing appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and on sound scientific principles.
Physics 24: Modern Physics with Lab
Prerequisites: Physics 21 and Math 8 with a grade of C or better.
Advisory: Physics 22 and Physics 23
This course is a calculus-based introduction to modern physics for science majors. Topics will be selected from the areas of relativity, quantum physics, and their applications.
Student Learning Outcomes for Physics 24:
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When presented with a physical situation and asked to solve a particular problem in modern physics, the student will follow a logical process based on well-established physics principles (i.e. laws of quantum mechanics) and demonstrate ability to use basic mathematical techniques, including calculus.
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When conducting a laboratory experiment and writing a lab report, the student will demonstrate understanding of the basics of the scientific method by being able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, taking careful measurements, estimating uncertainties, and drawing appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and on sound scientific principles.