Physics major

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physics

Faculty Adviser

David Faust: 503-491-7358 | Room AC2563 | David.Faust@mhcc.edu

Physics is the study of the structure and organization of the universe. It encompasses the observation of forces and matter, of motion, of cause and effect, and of the intrinsic properties of space and time. Physics analyzes these concepts in detail and uses them to synthesize models of complex phenomena.

Curricular Outcomes

At the completion of this curriculum, students should be able to:

  • Retain and apply critical physics concepts while enrolled in the curriculum and upon transfer
  • Work cooperatively, use equipment and instruments properly and carefully analyze data in the laboratory setting
  • Demonstrate mastery of physics concepts
  • Transition conceptual material into accurate mathematical models
  • Utilize calculus-based mathematics to solve physics problems

Students interested in pursuing the Physics major can complete the following courses toward the Science requirement and/or electives on the AS (recommended), AAOT, ASOT-B, AGS or ASLA degrees. Students are highly encouraged to work with a university transfer adviser to ensure transferability of courses. Admitted students may also log on to Navigate to start the process of building an academic plan based on this major and can notify an adviser for review.

PH211General Physics with Calculus I5
PH212General Physics with Calculus II5
PH213General Physics with Calculus III5
 

Suggested electives include:

PH109CObservational Astronomy3
PH121General Astronomy3
PH122General Astronomy3
PH123General Astronomy3
MTH261Linear Algebra4
STAT243ZElementary Statistics I (Course offered online)4
STAT244Elementary Statistics II4

Transfer Schools

physics

Exploring physics as your major? Learn more with MHCC's Career Coach, which covers: skills needed for each career, wages, employment rates, and live job postings in the Greater Multnomah County Area.

Careers related to physics:

The following shows just one example of how students can complete an Associate of Science degree while also taking lower-division physics courses. Be sure to work with an MHCC adviser and the transfer institution you'd like to attend to ensure correct courses are being taken. Not all courses are offered every term. Click on a course number to see what term(s) the course is typically offered.

  • Full time = 12 or more credits per term; takes about 2 years to complete.
  • 3/4 time = 9 to 11 credits per term; takes about 3 years to complete.
  • Part time = 6 to 8 credits per term; takes about 4 years to complete.

Sample Plan ( full time)

Plan of Study Grid
First QuarterCredits
CH221 General Chemistry I 5
MTH251 Calculus I: Differential Calculus 5
WR121Z Composition I (Course offered online) 4
Arts & Letters 3-4
 Credits18
Second Quarter
CH222 General Chemistry II 5
MTH252 Calculus II: Integral Calculus 5
WR122Z
Composition II (Course offered online)
or Technical Writing (Course offered online)
4
Social Science 3-4
 Credits17
Third Quarter
CH223 General Chemistry III 5
MTH253 Calculus III 4
Elective / university requirement 3
 Credits12
Fourth Quarter
MTH254 Calculus IV: Multivariable/ Vector Calculus Part 1 5
PH211 General Physics with Calculus I 5
Arts & Letters 3-4
 Credits13
Fifth Quarter
MTH256 Differential Equations 5
PH212 General Physics with Calculus II 5
Social Science 3-4
Elective / university requirement 3
 Credits16-17
Sixth Quarter
PH213 General Physics with Calculus III 5
Oral Communication (COMM111 recommended) 3-4
Health & Physical Education 3
Elective / university requirement 3
 Credits14-15
 Total Credits90-92

PH104 Descriptive Astronomy

Credits 4Summer

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH020; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.

Descriptive treatment of the history of astronomy which includes planetary and lunar motion, moon phases, constellations, stars and galaxies. Topics include the origin of the solar system, asteroids, meteors, comets, stellar evolution, galaxies, black holes, quasars and cosmology. An accompanying laboratory is used for demonstrations, experiments and projects as well as outdoor observations.

This course fulfills: Lab Science

PH109C Observational Astronomy

Credits 3Summer

A course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of observing the night sky. Students learn to use telescopes, star charts and photographic equipment to investigate the moon, planets, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. Evening field trips away from the Portland light dome are required.

This course fulfills: Non-Lab Science

PH121 General Astronomy

Credits 3Fall

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH020; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.

Descriptive treatment of the history of astronomy including the contributions of Kepler, Galileo and Newton; telescopes, light and the spectrum; Earth as a planet and the moon. This course is intended primarily for the general college student who is not majoring in a physical science. The planetarium is used extensively and is supplemented by occasional viewing of celestial objects with a telescope.

This course fulfills: Non-Lab Science

PH122 General Astronomy

Credits 3Winter

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH020; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.

Descriptive treatment of the solar system including the terrestrial planets, the Jovian planets, comets, meteors, asteroids and meteorites. The planetarium star projector is used in conjunction with star charts to help students locate planets and other celestial objects in the night sky. Course may be taken out of sequence.

This course fulfills: Non-Lab Science

PH123 General Astronomy

Credits 3Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH020; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.

Descriptive treatment of stars and their evolution, the sun nebulae, star clusters, the Milky Way, galaxies, black holes, neutron stars, quasars and the expanding universe. Course may be taken out of sequence.

This course fulfills: Non-Lab Science

PH201 General Physics I

Credits 5Fall

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH112/MTH112Z; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.

Physical laws and theories are developed and discussed. This course is intended primarily for the general college student who is not majoring in a physical science. The following topics are developed: vectors, one- and two-dimensional kinematics, dynamics, uniform circular motion, work, energy, impulse and momentum, rotational kinematics and dynamics, static equilibrium, gravitation and fluid statics. A scientific calculator is required. A graphing calculator may be required.

This course fulfills: Lab Science

PH202 General Physics II

Credits 5Winter

Registration Requirement: PH201.

The following topics are developed: simple harmonic motion, temperature, thermal expansion, thermal energy and phase changes, gas laws and thermodynamics, waves, sound, interference, reflection, refraction and geometric optics. A scientific calculator is required. A graphing calculator may be required.

This course fulfills: Lab Science

PH203 General Physics III

Credits 5Spring

Registration Requirement: PH202.

The following topics are developed: electric forces and fields, potential and potential energy, electric circuits, magnetic forces and fields, electromagnetic induction and alternating current circuits. A scientific calculator is required. A graphing calculator may be required.

This course fulfills: Lab Science

PH211 General Physics with Calculus I

Credits 5Fall

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH251; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.

General Physics with Calculus includes the following topics: motion in one and two dimensions, particle dynamics, work, energy, momentum, conservation of energy and momentum, collision theory, rotational kinematics and dynamics, rigid body equilibrium, universal gravitation and fluid statics are treated using practical problems and examples. Emphasis is placed on logical reasoning, thorough understanding of the principles and the ability to successfully solve numerical problems. Vector notation is employed extensively. The theory and results of classical mechanics are used to predict the behavior of actual physical systems and explain phenomena commonly encountered in the real world.

This course fulfills: Lab Science

PH212 General Physics with Calculus II

Credits 5Winter

Registration Requirement: PH211.

Provides prospective science and engineering majors with a thorough basic knowledge of thermodynamics, geometrical and physical optics, simple harmonic motion and wave motion.

This course fulfills: Lab Science

PH213 General Physics with Calculus III

Credits 5Spring

Registration Requirement: PH212.

Provides engineering and science majors with those topics within the scope of electricity and magnetism.

This course fulfills: Lab Science

Course offered online

Cultural Literacy course