Physics and Astronomy Department Courses
PHYS 1104 Practical Physics (5 credits)
This course is intended for students who have not taken Physics previously or who have taken some secondary school Physics and want a review. It can serve as one of the prerequisites for the university transfer course, PHYS 1107. It is recommended that MATH 1110 or equivalent be taken concurrently. The areas to be covered are mechanics (one and two dimensional motions; vectors; rotational motion; simple machines; work, energy, and power; momentum; equilibrium; Hooke's law; collisions; circular motion; hydrostatics), heat (thermometry; heat transfer; thermal properties of matter), and electricity (electrostatics; direct current concepts and basic circuits).
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Math 11 OR Principles of Math 11 ("C" or higher) or successful completion of the Math 11 Exemption Test.
Lecture: 4; Laboratory: 3
Offered: Fall and Summer
PHYS 1107 Introductory General Physics I (5 credits)
This is a non-calculus-based course in mechanics. Topics covered include: vectors; particle kinematics and dynamics; work and energy and power; linear momentum, rotational motion; statics, vibratory motion; waves; simple harmonic motion and sound.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Math 12 OR Foundations of Math 12 OR Principles of Math 12 ("C" or better) and either Physics 11 ("C" or better) or PHYS 1104
Lecture: 4; Laboratory: 3
Offered: Fall, Winter
PHYS 1110 Mechanics and Heat (5 credits)
This is a calculus-based course in mechanics and heat. Topics include vectors; particle kinematics and dynamics; momentum; work and energy; motion of systems; rotational motion; statics; oscillatory motion; sound; temperature, thermal properties of matter, elements of thermodynamics; wave motion.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Math 12 OR Principles of Math 12 ("C" or better) and Physics 12 ("C" or better), MATH 1120 must precede or be taken concurrently
Lecture: 4; Laboratory: 3
Offered: Fall only
PHYS 1170 Mechanics of Applied Science (3 credits)
This course is intended for students proceeding to studies in Applied Science/Engineering. Topics include: statics of particles, rigid body forces and equilibrium, friction, particle kinematics and dynamics and systems of particles.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisites: Physics 12 ("C" or better) or PHYS 1107. MATH 1120 must precede or be taken concurrently
Lecture: 2; Problem: 2
Offered: Winter
PHYS 1207 Introductory General Physics II (5 credits)
This is a non-calculus-based course. Topics include: geometric optics; interference, diffraction and polarization of light; electrostatics; direct current circuits; magnetic force and field; electromagnetic introduction; temperature; thermal properties of matter, gas laws, laws of thermodynamics.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1107 or equivalent
Lecture: 4; Laboratory: 3
Offered: Winter
PHYS 1210 Electromagnetism, Optics, Modern Physics (5 credits)
This is a calculus-based course. Topics include electrostatics; capacitance; direct current circuits; magnetic force and field; electromagnetic induction; ac circuits; wave nature of light; geometric optics; elements of quantum, atomic and nuclear physics; wave optics.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1110 (or PHYS 1107 with at least "B-") and MATH 1120. MATH 1220 should be taken concurrently
Lecture: 4; Laboratory: 3
Offered: Winter
APSC 1110 Engineering Graphics (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the study of orthographic projections, technical sketching, engineering drawing, language of graphics, graphical solution of space problems and the presentation of engineering data. The student will be expected to develop an ability to visualize in three dimensions. This course provides an introduction to the AutoCAD software and is among a package of courses that can be used to transfer to Applied Science/Engineering.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisite: Math 12
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 2
ASTR 1105 Introduction to Astronomy (4 credits)
This course is designed primarily for students who do not intend to major in science. Topics covered are astronomy history; celestial sphere; stars and constellations in the night sky; movement of Earth, Moon and Sun; properties of light; telescopes; solar system; life and death of stars; Milky Way and galaxies; cosmology. The laboratory component will involve outdoor observations and indoor exercises and computer simulations.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Math 11 OR Principles of Math 11 ("C" or higher) or Math 1101 or successful completion of the Math 11 Exemption Test.
Lecture: 4; Laboratory: 2
Offered: Winter and Fall