Course Descriptions

PHY 100 - Preparatory Physics
This course is suggested for those who have not successfully completed high school physics or have an inadequate preparation in mathematics or physics. It is also a preparatory course for students intending to follow the Applied Physics sequence. Topics will include problem solving techniques, velocity, acceleration, force, Newton’s Laws of Motion, momentum, energy, and conservation laws. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite(s): Level 6 Math Placement (or higher) or MTH 098/104/150/152/165/higher with grade of C or higher. Concurrent enrollment in MTH 104 or 152 recommended, if not already completed.

PHY 110 - HVACR Physics
The objective of this course is to provide HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration) technicians with an understanding of the physical principles that apply to the HVACR systems that they must maintain and repair. Topics will include temperature, heat, material properties, ideal gas laws, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, and magnetism. Proper use of measurement equipment and data acquisition systems will be stressed. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the HVACR Program Coordinator

PHY 120 - Physics for Non-Majors Laboratory
A laboratory course to supplement class lectures in PHY 121. Exercises will cover motion, Newton's Laws, energy, electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics. Computers will be used extensively to collect and analyze data, process video images, and run simulations. 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. 1 Credit.

Prerequisites: PHY 121 may be taken concurrently or previously completed.

PHY 121 - Physics for Non-Majors I
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. 3 Credits.

PHY 131 - Applied Physics I
An introductory course in physics at an intermediate mathematical level. Appropriate for non-science majors and those in the engineering technologies. Topics to include statics, dynamics, mechanical work and energy, conservation of momentum, and rotational dynamics. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite(s): MTH 140 or MTH 165 taken concurrently or previously completed OR MTH 152 previously completed

PHY 132 - Applied Physics II
A continuation of PHY 131. Topics to include the properties of materials, temperature, heat and thermodynamics, vibrational motion, wave motion, sound, and geometrical and physical optics. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite(s): PHY 131 with a grade of C.

PHY 145 - College Physics I
An introductory course in classical mechanics at the mathematical level of intermediate algebra and trigonometry. Intended for transfer students seeking a laboratory science elective and for those in life science and pre-professional programs. Topics include vectors, translational and rotational kinematics and dynamics, work and energy, impulse and momentum, and simple harmonic motion. Also available summer. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite: Either MTH 140 or MTH 165 taken concurrently or previously completed.

PHY 146 - College Physics II
A continuation of PHY 145. Topics include electrostatics, electric potential and energy, DC circuits, magnetism and electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic waves and wave properties, optics, and modern physics. 4 Credits.

(Prerequisite(s):PHY 145 with grade of C or higher AND MTH 165/higher with grade of C or higher OR Level 9 Math Placement (or higher)

PHY 154 - General Physics I
An introductory course in classical mechanics and waves using calculus. The course is intended primarily for transfer students pursuing computer science and pre-professional programs that require the study of physics using calculus. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite: MTH 210 completed prior to beginning PHY 154.

PHY 155 - General Physics II
A continuation of PHY 154. Topics to include electricity and magnetism, DC and AC circuits, optics, and topics from modern physics. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite: PHY 154 with a grade of C or higher.

PHY 161 - University Physics I
An introductory course in classical mechanics using calculus; intended for those seeking a concentration in engineering, mathematics, or natural science. Topics include kinematics, Newton's Laws, work, energy, momentum, rotational motion of rigid bodies, harmonic motion, and mechanical waves. 4 Credits.

Prerequisites: MTH 211 taken concurrently or previously completed; high school Regents physics with a grade of 70 or higher or PHY 131 with a grade of C or higher, or PHY 145 with a grade of C or higher.

PHY 261 - University Physics II
An introduction to electric and magnetic fields. Topics include Coulomb's, Gauss's, Biot-Savart, Ampere's, Faraday's Laws, Maxwell's Equations, and general properties of light. 4 Credits.

Prerequisite(s): PHY 161 with a grade of C or higher and MTH 211 with a grade of C or higher.

PHY 262 - Modern Physics
An introductory course in modern physics for those who have completed two semesters of University Physics. Topics include relativity, quantum mechanics, and the application of quantum mechanics to atomic and nuclear structure. 4 Credits.

Prerequisites: PHY 261 with a grade of C or higher; MTH 212 or MTH 225 taken concurrently or previously completed.

PHY 290 - Independent Study
See the Department Chairperson. Variable Credit.