Physics - Courses
General Information | Faculty | Courses | current class schedules available at Lane

GS 104 - Physical Science
In the GS 104, GS 105, GS 106 course sequence for non-science majors, emphasis is placed on basic principles that tie the physical sciences together. GS104 topics are selected from the standard first year of physics, such as mechanics, heat, temperature and entropy, electricity and magnetism, waves, and some introduction to modern physics.

ASTR 107 - Survey of Astronomy (telecourse and classroom course)
This course provides a one-term, comprehensive introduction to the science of astronomy. The course introduces the science of the origin, characteristics and evolution of solar systems, stars, galaxies and the universe.

ASTR 121 - Astronomy of the Solar System
This course provides an introduction to astronomy as science and to fundamental physics concepts underlying stellar astronomy. Focus on our sun and its place in our galaxy begins a comprehensive exploration of the nature of stars, from their birth to multiple paths to maturity and death, including super novae and stellar black holes.

PH 091 - Principles of Technology 1
Principles of technology is an introduction to basic physics concepts that includes practical applications and calculations, and analogies among mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal systems, which increases a technician's ability to communicate with technician co-workers.

PH 101 - Fundamentals of Physics
The 'Fundamentals of Physics' courses provide an introduction to a broad range of fundamental physics concepts and is recommended for anyone seeking a good basic level of physics literacy. The sequence is designed for non-science majors, but also serves prospective science majors who want to gain a better conceptual grounding before taking General Physics. Emphasis is on everyday phenomena and conceptual understanding more than calculations.

General Physics

General Physics is the “bread and butter” introduction to physics primarily designed for all science majors. This introduction is well accomplished in an algebra-based framework, which is used in PH 201/202/203. However, because calculus more completely and precisely expresses physical phenomena, physics and engineering majors are generally required to take the calculus-based General Physics, which is PH 211/212/213. Mathematics majors are encouraged to take this course because of the mathematics it makes use of. As use of mathematics has increased in biology and chemistry, more majors in those fields are electing to take the calculus-based General Physics when it fits with their schedules.

PH 201 - General Physics (algebra-based)
This sequence introduces a wide range of physics concepts and is required for most health and all science majors. These three courses all focus on graphical representation, conceptual understanding and problem solving. The mathematical background in college-level algebra and trigonometry is needed and used throughout the sequence. PH 201 provides an introduction to the concepts of force, acceleration, work, energy and momentum. The emphasis is on mathematical/ graphical analysis of various kinds of motion of objects with mass.

PH 211 - General Physics with Calculus
This sequence of physics courses is required for engineering and physics majors, and also readily meets any General Physics requirements. These physics courses require an understanding and/or a concurrent study of calculus. These three courses all focus on graphical representation, conceptual understanding and problem solving. In addition, there is an emphasis on generating and evaluating mathematical models of physical systems. This first course of the sequence, PH 211, introduces mechanics, including accelerated motion, forces, energy, and momentum.

PH 213 - General Physics with Calculus
This sequence of physics courses is required for engineering and physics majors, and also readily meets any General Physics requirements. These physics courses require an understanding and/or a concurrent study of calculus. These three courses all focus on graphical representation, conceptual understanding and problem solving. In addition, there is an emphasis on generating and evaluating mathematical models of physical systems. PH 213 is the last term of the calculus-based General Physics sequence and focuses primarily on electricity and magnetism.