Course Descriptions

PHY 121 - Physics for Non-Majors I

3 Credits

A non-mathematical course in classical and modern physics; intended for those seeking a natural science elective. Topics include gravitation, electricity and magnetism, the nature of light, Einstein's Theories of Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, blackholes, and the Big Bang. Students interested in taking a transferable laboratory science course should enroll in PHY 120 concurrently. Three class hours.

NOTE: This course meets SUNY General Education Natural Science (and Scientific Reasoning) SUNY-NSCI requirements when both PHY 120 and PHY 121 are successfully completed. PHY 120 may be taken concurrently or in a later semester, but the will not have satisfied the SUNY-NSCI requirement until both PHY 120 and PHY 121 are successfully completed.

New SUNY General Education: SUNY - Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)

Retiring SUNY General Education: SUNY-NS - Natural Sciences (SNSC)

*NOTE: This course only meets SUNY General Education requirements when both PHY 121 and PHY 120 are successfully completed.*

MCC General Education: MCC-CT - Critical Thinking (MCT), MCC-SCI - Scientific Reasoning (MSCI)

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the scientific method, its strengths, and its limitations.
2. Apply knowledge of science to determine whether a claim is scientific.
3. Summarize the history of science especially as it applies to how scientific knowledge is continuing to evolve.
4. State the concepts and relationships of classical physics.
5. Employ the utility of science in addressing social issues such as global warming or resource depletion.
6. Identify information on topics in modern physics, especially in areas such as: special relativity, general relativity, cosmology, or quantum mechanics.

Course Offered Fall, Spring

Use links below to see if this course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Spring Semester 2024
Summer Session 2024