Academic Catalogs

Physics

Physics courses at OCC are transferable to CSU schools. General Physics courses offer background in areas like Mechanics, Waves, Thermodynamics, Electricity, Light, Magnetism, Electromagnetism, Relativity, and even Quantum Physics. With the exception of the descriptive introductory course (Conceptual Physics), all of these classes require prerequisites.

Department Contact Information

Stephen Drum 
sdrum@occ.cccd.edu 

Physics Department Website

Credit Courses

PHYS A1103 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Conceptual Physics  
Advisory: Successful completion of a course at the level of beginning algebra or Appropriate OCC math placement.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: No credit for PHYS A110, PHYS A111 if taken after PHYS A120, PHYS A130 or PHYS A185.
A brief, but complete presentation of the fundamental phenomena and laws in physics, with experimental illustrations, enhancing the development of conceptual scientific thinking.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A110

PHYS A1111 Unit (54 lab hours)  
Introductory Physics Laboratory  
Prerequisite(s): PHYS A110 or concurrent enrollment.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: No credit for PHYS A110, PHYS A111 if taken after PHYS A120, PHYS A130 or PHYS A185.
Introductory physics laboratory to complement PHYS A110. Not open to those who hold credit for any other physics laboratory course.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A111

PHYS A1124 Units (54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Survey of Chemistry and Physics with Lab  
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Formerly: NS A112, Survey of Chemistry and Physics. An investigation of the basic principles of physics and chemistry including matter, physical and chemical properties, energy, motion, light, atomic structure, bonding, solutions, and chemical reactions. The inter-dependence of chemistry and physics will be emphasized. This course is intended for non-science majors.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A112

PHYS A1153 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Physics of Music  
Advisory: Successful completion of a course at the level of elementary algebra or higher.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Formerly: NS A115, Science and Technology in Music. An introduction to the physics that shapes our natural world through an investigation of the creation, transmission, and perception of sound and music. Fundamentals of oscillations, waves, forces, energy, and electromagnetism are explored through scientific inquiry of musical tones, harmony, timbre, acoustics, and acoustic and electronic instruments.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A115

PHYS A1204 Units (54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Algebra-Based Physics 1: Mechanics with Lab  
Prerequisite(s): MATH A120, prior completion of a course covering Trigonometry.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: PHYS A120, PHYS A125, PHYS A130, PHYS A135 and PHYS A185, PHYS A280, PHYS A285 combined: maximum credit, 1 series.
The first semester of a two-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A120/A125) covering an algebra/trigonometry-based study of all topics in basic physics. Core topics for this first semester include: classical mechanics, including waves and fluids, and thermodynamics. Intended for CSU transfer biology majors as well as students needing a one-year sequence in algebra/trigonometry-based physics as a requirement for their major program. Students needing calculus-based physics (e.g. UC transfer biology majors) should enroll in the PHYS A130/A135 or PHYS A185/A280/A285 sequence. C-ID: PHYS 105.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A120

PHYS A1254 Units (54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Algebra-Based Physics 2: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab  
Prerequisite(s): PHYS A120.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: PHYS A120, PHYS A125, PHYS A130, PHYS A135 and PHYS A185, PHYS A280, PHYS A285 combined: maximum credit, 1 series.
The second semester of a two-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A120/A125) covering an algebra/trigonometry-based study of all topics in basic physics. Core topics for this second semester include: electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics. C-ID: PHYS 110.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A125

PHYS A1304 Units (54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
University Physics 1: Mechanics with Lab  
Prerequisite(s): MATH A180, MATH A180H, or MATH A182H.
Advisory: MATH A185, MATH A185H, or MATH A182H.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: PHYS A120, PHYS A125, PHYS A130, PHYS A135 and PHYS A185, PHYS A280, PHYS A285 combined: maximum credit, 1 series.
Formerly: University Physics 1 (non-majors). The first semester of a two-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A130/A135) covering a calculus-based study of all topics in basic physics. Core topics for this first semester include: classical mechanics, including waves and fluids, and thermodynamics. Intended for some UC transfer biology majors as well as students needing a one-year sequence in calculus-based physics as a requirement for their major program. Astronomy, chemistry, engineering, and physics majors should enroll in the PHYS A185/A280/A285 sequence.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A130

PHYS A1354 Units (54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
University Physics 2: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab  
Prerequisite(s): PHYS A130; and MATH A182H, MATH A185, or MATH A185H.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: PHYS A120, PHYS A125, PHYS A130, PHYS A135 and PHYS A185, PHYS A280, PHYS A285 combined: maximum credit, 1 series.
Formerly: University Physics 2 (non-majors). The second semester of a two-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A130/A135) covering a calculus-based study of all topics in basic physics. Core topics for this second semester include: electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A135

PHYS A1855 Units (72 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Calculus-Based Physics: Mechanics with Lab  
Prerequisite(s): MATH A180, MATH A180H, or appropriate placement; and Completion of or concurrent enrollment in MATH A185, MATH A185H, or MATH A182H.
Advisory: One year of high school physics or a semester of college physics.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: PHYS A120, PHYS A125, PHYS A130, PHYS A135 and PHYS A185, PHYS A280, PHYS A285 combined: maximum credit, 1 series.
Formerly: Calculus Based Physics: Mechanics. The first semester of a three-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A185/PHYS A280/PHYS A285) covering a calculus-based study of all topics in fundamental physics. Topics for this first semester include kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, momentum, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, mechanical waves, and fluids. Intended for astronomy, chemistry, engineering, and physics majors, as well as students needing an extended sequence in calculus-based physics as a requirement for their major program. Enrollment Limitation: PHYS A185H; students who complete PHYS A185 may not enroll in or receive credit for PHYS A185H. C-ID: PHYS 205.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A185

PHYS A185H5 Units (72 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Calculus-Based Physics: Mechanics with Lab Honors  
Prerequisite(s): MATH A180, MATH A180H, or appropriate placement; and Completion of or concurrent enrollment in MATH A185, MATH A185H, or MATH A182H.
Advisory: One year of high school physics or a semester of college physics.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: PHYS A120, PHYS A125, PHYS A130, PHYS A135 and PHYS A185, PHYS A280, PHYS A285 combined: maximum credit, 1 series.
Formerly: Calculus-Based Physics: Mechanics Honors. The first semester of a three-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A185/PHYS A280/PHYS A285) covering a calculus-based study of all topics in fundamental physics. Topics for this first semester include kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, momentum, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, mechanical waves, and fluids. Intended for astronomy, chemistry, engineering, and physics majors, as well as students needing an extended sequence in calculus-based physics as a requirement for their major program. Enrollment Limitation: PHYS A185; students who complete PHYS A185H may not enroll in or receive credit for PHYS A185. C-ID: PHYS 205.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A185H

PHYS A2805 Units (72 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Calculus-Based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab  
Prerequisite(s): PHYS A185 or PHYS A185H; and MATH A182H, or MATH A180/MATH A180H and MATH A185/MATH A185H, or appropriate OCC placement.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: PHYS A120, PHYS A125, PHYS A130, PHYS A135 and PHYS A185, PHYS A280, PHYS A285 combined: maximum credit, 1 series.
Formerly: Calculus-Based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism. Continuation of PHYS A185. Coulomb’s law, electrostatics fields, conductors and insulators. Gauss’s law and electromagnetic fields. Magnetic fields and Ampere’s law. Faraday’s law of induction and Maxwell's equations of electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic energy transfer by means of cables, transmission lines and transparent media. C-ID: PHYS 210.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A280

PHYS A2855 Units (72 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Calculus-Based Physics: Modern with Lab  
Prerequisite(s): PHYS A185 or PHYS A185.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: PHYS A120, PHYS A125, PHYS A130, PHYS A135 and PHYS A185, PHYS A280, PHYS A285 combined: maximum credit, 1 series.
Formerly: Calculus Based Physics: Modern. Part of a three-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A185/A280/A285) covering a calculus-based study of all topics in fundamental physics. Core topics for this semester include thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics. C-ID: PHYS 215.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing PHYS A285