Catalog - Physics

Associate in Arts and Sciences with a major in Physics (098)

Department Information

Lynn Thomson, Department Chair
Rodney Bain, Ted Erickson, Bud Johnson, Steve McNeil, Ellis Miller, Ryan Nielson, Brian Tonks, Jack Weyland
Departmental Office (208) 356-1913

Physics is a fascinating field of study where active progress is taking place in areas that affect all our lives.

The goals of the Physics Department include helping students gain an appreciation of nature’s basic physical concepts, improve problem solving skills and develop logical thought processes that they can use throughout their lives. Most professions make extensive application of the principles of Physics. Physics opens doors to astronomy, meteorology, chemistry, geology and all the other physical sciences. It will help one qualify to teach physical science. One will need physics to succeed in engineering and computer science, in pre-medical studies and any of the other life sciences. It opens the way to a broad array of professions and future employment.

Our students enjoy learning from experienced and skillful professors who make use of lively demonstrations enhanced with teaching aids from a complete array of up-to-date equipment and facilities. Outstanding among these facilities are recently remodeled, refur-bished and expanded classrooms and laboratories, a modern weather station, an ever-popular planetarium, and an astronomical observatory housing a 24-inch Cassegrainian telescope.

Physics courses at Ricks College are offered on four general levels.

General Education Courses
To fill General Education Physical Science requirements, most students take classes in Fundamentals of Physics (PH 101), Physical Science (PhS 100), Physical Science for Teachers (PhS 110), Astronomy (Ph 127), Weather and Climate (Ph 137) or Descriptive Acoustics of Music and Speech (Ph 167). Some of these courses include lab sessions each week. These courses require minimal preparation in mathematics and are each one semester in length.

Some institutions require four semester hours of Physical Science that include a lab component. This equates to one three-credit hour course and a one credit hour lab. Non-Physics majors can fill this requirement by taking Ph 112, Elementary Physics Lab, in conjunction with PhS 100, Ph 101, Ph 137 or Ph 167. In addition, Ph 128 or GS.NS 228 in conjunction with Astronomy (Ph 127 or GS.NS 227) also fulfills this requirement.
CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE ENROLLED IN THE CORRECT COURSE.

Technical/Industrial Science Majors
These majors take Introductory Applied Physics (Ph 105 and 106) and their associated lab’s (Ph 107 and 108). These courses require extensive use of Algebra and Trigonometry.
CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE ENROLLED IN THE CORRECT COURSE.

Life Science/Pre-Medicine, Architecture Majors
These majors take a two semester General Physics course (Ph 201, 202)which includes a lab component. This course utilizes elementary Calculus.
CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE ENROLLED IN THE CORRECT COURSE.

Physics/Chemistry/Engineering/Mathematic/Computer Science Majors
Leading to an Associates in Arts and Sciences for Physics majors, this level consists of four calculus based Principles of Physics courses and a one semester lab.
CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE ENROLLED IN THE CORRECT COURSE FOR YOUR SPECIFIC MAJOR.

Associate in Arts and Sciences with a major in Physics (098)

Recommended sequence of courses:

First Semester
Religion 2
General Education Basic Skills Op 2-4
General Education 6
Chemistry 105 4
Math 162 Plane Geo Cal 4
Total Credits 18-20

Second Semester
Religion 2
CS 144 Intro to Programming 3
Chemistry 106 4
Math 263 Ana Geom-Calc 4
Ph 121 Prin Physics 3
Total Credits 16

Third Semester
Religion 2
General Education 9
Math 264 Mult-Dim Calc 3
Ph 122 Prin of Physics 3
Total Credits 17

Fourth Semester
Religion 2
General Education 6
Ph 214 Prin of Ph Lab 1
Ph 221 Prin of Physics 3
Math 274 Diff Equations 3
Ph 222 Prin of Physics 3
Total Credits 18

General Education Requirements

Make sure to SEE YOUR ADVISOR to determine the General Education course that best meet your specific needs.

Course Descriptions

PhS 100* Physical Science 3
Three hours lecture and one hour lab per week
Recommendation: It is recommended that students complete the Mathematics Basic Skills Requirement before registering for this class.
An interdisciplinary course administered by the Physics Department. Topics in physics, astronomy, chemistry and geology. This course prepares students to pass GE Physical Science requirements and is also designed for those who are planning only a one year program in college.

PhS 110* Physical Science for Teachers 3
Three hours lecture
Recommendation: It is recommended that students complete the Mathematics Basic Skills Requirement before registering for this class
A first of a two part series helping to prepare Education majors for teaching Physical Science. A study of physics and chemistry appropriate for understanding typical physical science experiences. Geology 110, the second part of this series for Elementary Education students is a study of astronomy, meteorology and geology appropriate to the elementary education level. Students completing PhS 110 may not take PhS 100 for credit.
For Elementary Education majors only.

PhS 111* Physical Science Lab for Elementary Education Teachers 1
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in PhS 110
Lab Fee $10
Fills the General Education requirement for one of the needed lab’s for Natural Science.

Ph 101* Fundamentals of Physics 3
Three hours lecture per week
Recommendation: It is recommended that students complete the Mathematics Basic Skills Requirement before registering for this class
Principles of classical and modern physics as they relate to current concepts of the physical environment.

Ph 105* Introductory Applied Physics 3
Three hours lecture per week
Prerequisite: Completion of Math 110 and Math 111 or Math 115-116
Concurrent registration in Ph 107 is recommended
An applied physics course not requiring calculus. Topics include mechanics, heat, wave motion and sound.

Ph 106* Introductory AppliedPhysics 3
Prerequisite: Physics 105
Three lectures per week
A continuation of Ph 105. Topics include electricity and magnetism, optics, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics. Recommended concurrent registration in Ph 108.

Ph 107* Introductory Applied Physics Lab 1
One 3-hour lab per week
Prerequisite: Ph 105 must be taken concurrently

Ph 108* Introductory Applied Physics Lab 1
One 3-hour lab per week
Prerequisite: Ph 106 must be taken concurrently

Ph 112* Elementary Physics Lab 1
Prerequisite: Concurrent registration or completion of one of the following: PhS 100, Ph 101, Ph 137, or Ph 167
One 3-hour lab per week
Lab Fee: $5
An elementary laboratory designed to give students experience in measurement and data analysis at a beginning level in all areas of physics.

Ph 121* Principles of Physics 3
Prerequisite: Completion of Math 162 or permission of the instructor
Three hours lecture and two hours problem recitation per week
General Mechanics. For students majoring in physics, engineering, chemistry, or math.

Ph 122* Principles of Physics 3
Prerequisite: Physics 121 and concurrent registration in Math 263
Three hours lecture and two hours problem recitation per week
Electricity and magnetism.

Ph 127* Descriptive Astronomy 3
Three hours lecture per week
Recommendation: It is recommended that students complete the Mathematics Basic Skills Requirement before registering for this class
Solar system and stellar astronomy. Topics in historical and modern astronomy. Frequent use is made of the planetarium and observatory.

Ph 128* Elementary Astronomy Lab 1
Prerequisite: Concurrent registration or completion of Physics 127
One 3-hour lab per week
Observational astronomy designed to give the student experience in observing and analyzing basic astronomical phenomena.

Ph 137* Weather and Climate 3
Three hours of lecture per week
Recommendation: It is recommended that students complete the Mathematics Basic Skills Requirement before registering for this class
An introductory study of the atmosphere including weather, climate, methods of weather forecasting, and the environmental impact of man.

Ph 167* Descriptive Acoustics of Music and Speech 3
Three hours lecture per week
Recommendation: It is recommended that students complete the Mathematics Basic Skills Requirement before registering for this class
An introductory acoustics course emphasizing the physical principles underlying the production and perception of sound, speech, and music.

Ph 201* General Physics 5
Prerequisite: Math 209 or Math 162
Four lectures per week and one 3-hour lab per week
A general course for pre-medical, architecture, biology, and general education students. Topics include mechanics, fluids, thermodynamics, wave motion, and sound. (Fall semester only)

Ph 202 General Physics 5
Prerequisite: Physics 201
Four lectures per week plus one 3-hour lab per week
A continuation of Physics 201. Topics include electricity and magnetism, optics, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics. (Winter semester)

Ph 214 Principles of Physics Laboratory 1
Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent registration in Ph 221 or consent of instructor (Winter semester only)

Ph 221 Principles of Physics 3
Prerequisite: Physics 121 and concurrent registration in Math 263
Three hours lecture and two hours problem recitation per week.
Thermal physics, wave motion, sound, and optics.

Ph 222 Principles of Physics 3
Prerequisite: Physics 121 and Physics122, Physics 221, and concurrent registration in Math 263
Physics 221 can be taken concurrently with 222
Three hours lecture and two hours problem recitation per week
Quantum physics, atomic and nuclear physics, and special relativity. (Winter semester only)

Ph 298 Cooperative Work Experience 1-3
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Work experience to be arranged
Applied principles of physics, weather, or astronomy in a practical work setting under the direction of teachers on campus or in approved laboratories.

Other courses taught by the Physics faculty:

GS.NS 227* Astronomy and the Scientific Tradition 3
Three class hours per week
Sophomore standing/Math Basic Skills
Modern planetary and stellar astronomy presented in its historical context. Emphasis is placed on the philosophy and application of the scientific method, including its strengths and limitations. Concurrent registration in GS.NS 228 is recommended.

GS.NS 228* Astronomy and the Scientific Tradition Lab 1
Sophomore standing/Math Basic Skills
Concurrent enrollment in GS.NS 227
Observational astronomy designed to give students experience with observing and analyzing astronomical phenomena.

GS.NS 248* Science in Cinema 3
Three class hours per week
Scientific fiction movie are used as a springboard to investigate scientific methods and principles, to discuss societal attitudes toward science, and to investigate the relationships between science, technology and society (Winter).

PhS 100H* Physical Science Honors 3
Three hours lecture and one hour lab per week
It is recommended that students complete the Mathematics Basic Skills Requirement before registering for this class. An interdisciplinary course with topics in physics, astronomy, chemistry and geology. This course is also designed for those who are planning only a one year program in college.

*Gives G.E. credit in the Physical Science area of the Natural Science requirement.

divNaturalScience@ricks.edu