• PHYS 1010

    The Physical Universe
     Rating

    3.92

     Difficulty

    2.62

     GPA

    3.23

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    In this class you will get a chance to explore the scientific wonders of the universe. Topics vary each semester but generally include: motion, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, sound, light, relativity, atomic structure, molecules, quantum physics, the nucleus, chemistry, meteorology, geophysics, the solar system, stars, and cosmology. PHYS 1010 requires limited math, but has wide applications like electronics, wifi, rockets, satellites, nuclear reactors, lasers, climate change, earthquakes, the tides, eclipses, plate tectonics, fossil fuels, telescopes, solar energy, and the origin of universe. PHYS 1010 is for non-science majors. Premedical and pre-dental students should take PHYS 2010, 2020.

  • PHYS 1050

    How Things Work
     Rating

    4.28

     Difficulty

    3.03

     GPA

    3.12

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    For non-science majors. Introduces physics and science in everyday life, considering objects from our daily environment and focusing on their principles of operation, histories, and relationships to one another. 1050 is concerned primarily with mechanical and thermal objects, while 1060 emphasizes objects involving electromagnetism, light, special materials, and nuclear energy. They may be taken in either order.

  • PHYS 1060

    How Things Work
     Rating

    4.05

     Difficulty

    3.09

     GPA

    3.14

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    For non-science majors. Introduces physics and science in everyday life, considering objects from our daily environment and focusing on their principles of operation, histories, and relationships to one another. 1050 is concerned primarily with mechanical and thermal objects, while 1060 emphasizes objects involving electromagnetism, light, special materials, and nuclear energy. They may be taken in either order.

  • PHYS 1110

    Energy, Science and Society
     Rating

    3.78

     Difficulty

    2.44

     GPA

    3.21

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Energy is of paramount importance to civilization and has been for centuries, although never more than the present day. Much of the things we value and rely on ¿ food, automobiles, air travel, heating and air conditioning ¿all depend on access to inexpensive sources of energy. Wars have been fought over sources of energy. But what is energy? Is it inexhaustible, or will inexpensive sources of energy disappear in our lifetimes? Will our thirst for energy inevitably lead to climate change and global warming? Physics 1110 intended to address these issues. Structured to be accessible to non-science majors, this course includes such topics as the physical nature of energy, the ways in which we produce and consume energy in our society, and how the opportunities energy provides, and the threats that may occur, will play into our future. Prerequisite: high-school algebra.

  • PHYS 1130

    Physics of Sports
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.76

    Last Taught

    Summer 2025

    A study of the physics concepts behind the motion of spinning and curving projectiles in worldwide sports such as soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball, football, etc. and rolling and sliding balls/diska along a flat surface. Basic explanations include utilizing kinematics, gravity, friction, air flow, and Newton's Laws. Learn about hang time, topspin, dimples,drag crisis, sideways forces, least energy launch angle, jumping, and crouching.

  • PHYS 1420

    Introductory Physics 1: Classical Mechanics, Waves, and Thermodynamics
     Rating

    3.67

     Difficulty

    4.67

     GPA

    3.12

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    First semester of the introductory physics sequence recommended for prospective physics majors. Topics include particle kinematics and dynamics, energy and momentum conservation, rotational motion, fluids, oscillatory motion, waves, sound, and thermodynamics. Emphasis is on building foundations for future studies in physics. Three lecture hours. Prerequisite: MATH 1310; Co-requisite: MATH 1320; or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 1425

    Introductory Physics 1 for Engineers
     Rating

    2.41

     Difficulty

    3.75

     GPA

    3.16

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    First semester of introductory physics sequence recommended for engineers. Topics include particle kinematics and dynamics, energy and momentum conservation, rotational motion, fluids, oscillatory motion, waves, sound, and thermodynamics. Emphasis is on development of skills for practical applications. Three lecture hours. Co-requisite: MATH 1320 or equivalent.

  • PHYS 1429

    Introductory Physics 1 Workshop
     Rating

    1.97

     Difficulty

    3.43

     GPA

    3.41

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Group problem solving, data acquisition and analysis, and application of physics to real life scenarios in the framework of classical mechanics and thermodynamics. The course is geared towards STEM majors and required for engineering and physics majors. Co-requisites: PHYS 1425 or 1420.

  • PHYS 1655

    Introduction to Python for Scientists and Engineers
     Rating

    4.08

     Difficulty

    4.25

     GPA

    3.55

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    This course provides an introduction to the Python programming language with applications to common problems in the science and engineering fields. It emphasizes three core skills: analyzing data, simulating data, and visualizing data. No previous programming or computer experience is required. Prerequisite: MATH 1210 or equivalent, or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 1660

    Practical Computing for the Physical Sciences
     Rating

    4.30

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.75

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    This course teaches how to use the computer to solve quantitative problems. This involves learning the skills to write computer programs dedicated to certain tasks, to visualize data graphically, to use scientific software, and to learn other practical skills that are important for a future career in the sciences.