Physics Department
Physics Department
A-11 • (323) 265-8924
Physics is regarded as one of the most fundamental of the sciences.
Using the scientific method, a student of physics tries to understand
the properties of physical reality, such as space, time, motion, matter, energy, force, etc. The objective is to gain a working knowledge
and be able to make practical applications of the laws that govern
the universe.
Physics is a required Subject for most majors in scientific and technical fields such as Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, Medicine, Astronomy, Geology, Earth Sciences, etc.
Faculty
Kiledjian, Viken P, Chair, Professor, Astronomy, Physics
Papenkova, Marina, Assistant Professor, Astronomy, Physics
Ramirez, Jose, V., Professor, Astronomy, Physics
Adjunct Associate Professors
Bosco, Piermario, Physics
Ishimura, Michiaki, Astronomy, Physics
Lewis, Roy R., Astronomy
Shirvanian, Razmic, Physics
Vasquez, Carlos, Astronomy, Physics
Wang, Hsi-Ching, Astronomy, Physics
Xie, Yi, Astronomy, Physics
EDUCATIONAL PROGR AMS
SUBJECTS
• Astronomy
• Physics
5 Fundamentals of Astronomy Laboratory (1) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5C
Corequisite: Astronomy 1.
TRANSFER CURRICULUM
Information regarding lower division major preparation requirements required to transfer to a University of California (UC) or
California State University (CSU) campus may be obtained at www.
assist.org. For information about independent or out-of-state colleges/universities, please consult with a counselor.
SUBJECTS & COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Labor atory, 3 hours.
Various astronomical phenomena are investigated using a variety
of modes such as in-class laboratory expercises and experiments,
Internet-based investigations, and out-of-class sky observations.
Through these different means, students gain a thorough knowledge and experience of discovering the properties of moons, planets,
stars, constellations and galaxies.
15 Astrobiology (3) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A
Astronomy (ASTRON)
Lecture, 3 hours.
1 Elementary Astronomy (3) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A
This course explores the origins of life in the universe and the conditions for a planet to be habitable. It also examines the evidence of
life on Mars and other bodies in the solar system such as Europa
and Titan. It further investigates the methods of detecting exoplanets and ascertaining their properties and whether life could exist on
them. Finally, it examines the methods of searching and communicating with extraterrestrial intelligence.
Lecture, 3 hours.
This course is a general introduction and overview of Astronomy
and covers many topics including constellations, seasons, history
of Astronomy, the electromagnetic spectrum, telescopes, the Earth
and other planets of our solar system, the Sun, binary stars, the
Milky Way Galaxy, properties of galaxies and the Big Bang Theory.
Students are kept abreast of current developments in the field.
east los angeles college 2013-2015
GENERAL CATALOG
241
Physics Department
16 Cosmology (3) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A
4 Optics and Modern Physics (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C
Lecture, 3 hours.
Prerequisites: Physics 1 and Mathematics 262.
Advisory: Mathematics 263.
This is a survey course in the history and development of modern
Cosmology. Students examine the Theory of Relativity, Quantum
Physics and String Theory at a conceptual level and their impact
on the development of Cosmology. Then they study about the Big
Bang Theory, Inflationary Theory, Black Holes, Wormholes, Time
Travel and Parallel Universes. Students are kept abreast of new
developments in the field.
Physics (PHYSICS)
1 Mechanics of Solids (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C (C-ID PHYS 205)
(UC Credit Limit: 1 series from Physics 1, 2, 3, and 4, or Physics 6 and 7, or
Physics 21 and 22).
Prerequisites: Physics 11 and Mathematics 261.
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
In this course, students learn the kinematics of one- and two-dimensional motion, including linear, projectile, and circular motion.
They also study the physics of linear and rotational dynamics and
statics using Newton’s laws, work and energy, momentum, torque,
and moment of inertia. The course ends with a study of oscillatory
motion. Students use the tools of algebra, trigonometry, and calculus to solve a wide variety of problems.
2 Mechanics of Fluids, Heat and Sound (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C
Prerequisite: Physics 1.
Corequisite: Mathematics 262.
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
In this course, students learn Newton’s Law of Gravity and Kepler’s
Three laws of planetary motion. They study the field of fluid statics
and dynamics which include Archimedes’ Principle and Bernoulli’s
Equation. They delve into the field of Wave Dynamics and study
such things as wave propagation, wave resonance and the Doppler Effect. They explore the field of Thermodynamics including
properties of substances such as specific heat and the Three Laws
of Thermodynamics. They examine the field of Optics such as the
properties of mirrors and lenses and how images are formed. The
laboratory program includes qualitative and quantitative analysis
applied to environmentally related topics.
3 Electricity and Magnetism (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C (C-ID PHYS 210)
Prerequisites: Physics 1 and Mathematics 262.
Advisory: Mathematics 263.
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
In this course, students learn about electricity and magnetism,
including topics such as electric field, electric potential, capacitors,
resistors, RC circuits, magnetic force and torque, solenoids, Faraday’s Law, AC circuits involving resistors, capacitors and inductors.
Students use the tools of algebra, trigonometry and calculus and the
knowledge acquired in Physics 1 to solve a wide variety of problems.
This course provides students with the tools to quantatively understand energy efficiency and conservation.
242
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
In this course, students learn the essentials of Wave Optics such as
the diffraction, interference and polarization of light as well as the
nature of light such as its wavelength, frequency, momentum and
pressure. Then they delve into the topics of Modern Physics such
as Relativity, Quantum Physics, Atomic and Nuclear Physics and
Particle Physics. Students use the tools of algebra, trigonometry and
calculus to solve a wide variety of problems.
6 General Physics I (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C (C-ID PHYS 105)
(UC Credit Limit:1 series from Physics 1, 2, 3, and 4, or Physics 6 and 7, or
Physics 21 and 22).
Prerequisites: Physics 11 and Mathematics 241.
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
In this course, students learn the kinematics of one- and two-dimensional motion, including linear, projectile, and circular motion. They
study the physics of linear and rotational dynamics using Newton’s
laws, work and energy, momentum and torque. The course also
delves into the field of fluid statics and dynamics, wave dynamics,
wave resonance and the Doppler Effect. They explore the field of
Thermodynamics including properties of substances such as specific
heat and the Three Laws of Thermodynamics. Students use the tools
of algebra and trigonometry to solve a wide variety of problems.
7 General Physics II (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C
Prerequisite: Physics 6.
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
In this course, students learn the essentials of electricity and magnetism, including topics such as electric field, electric potential, capacitors, resistors, RC circuits, magnetic force and torque. They examine the field of Optics such as the properties of mirrors and lenses
and how images are formed. They delve into the topics of Modern
Physics such as Relativity, Quantum Physics, Atomic and Nuclear
Physics and Particle Physics. Students use the tools of algebra and
trigonometry and the knowledge acquired in Physics 6 to solve a
wide variety of problems.
11 Introductory Physics (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C
(UC Credit Limit: No credit is given if taken after 1, 6, or 21).
Prerequisite: Mathematics 115.
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
In this an introductory course that covers the wide range of topics
included in a basic Physics course such as kinematics of one- and
two-dimensional motion, circular motion, Newton’s laws, work
and energy, thermodynamics, wave motion, oscillation, optics, electricity and magnetism, and nuclear and atomic Physics. Students
analyze conceptual questions as well as solve quantitative problems
using Algebra.
east los angeles college 2013-2015
GENERAL CATALOG
Physics Department
17 Energy and the Environment (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C
21 General Physics I with Calculus (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C
Advisory: Mathematics 125.
(UC Credit Limit: 1 series from Physics 1, 2, 3, and 4, or Physics 6 and 7, or
Physics 21 and 22).
Prerequisites: Physics 11 and Mathematics 261.
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
This course teaches about the many different sources of energy such
as fossil fuels, wind, water, solar, biomass, nuclear and geothermal.
It examines the advantages and disadvantages of each source and
investigates the past and present examples of their use and future
plans for new technology to utilize these sources.
20 Physics Bootcamp (2)
Prerequisite: Mathematics 241.
Lecture, 1.5 hours; Labor atory, 2.5 hours.
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the Physics 11 prerequisite challenge test to get into either Physics 1, 6 or
21. The course also prepares students for the higher level physics
sequence and provides students with some basic laboratory experience; as such, it is intended to bridge the gap between Physics 11 and
the higher level courses and is therefore more rigorous than Physics
11. Students are introduced to Kinematics, Dynamics, Fluid Statics and Dynamics, wave resonance and the Doppler Effect as well
as the fields of Thermodynamics, Electricity and Optics. Students
use the tools of algebra and trigonometry to analyze a wide variety
of content and gain a firm foundation in physics concepts as well
as problem solving. Some time is afforded to work out problems in
class and ask questions from the homework. On the last day of class,
students are given the opportunity of taking the Physics 11 prerequisite challenge test.
east los angeles college 2013-2015
GENERAL CATALOG
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
In this course, students learn the kinematics of one- and twodimensional motion, including linear, projectile, and circular
motion. They study the physics of linear and rotational dynamics
using Newton’s laws, work and energy, momentum and torque. The
course also delves into the field of fluid statics and dynamics, wave
dynamics, wave resonance and the Doppler Effect. They explore the
field of Thermodynamics including properties of substances such as
specific heat and the Three Laws of Thermodynamics. Students use
the tools of algebra, trigonometry, and calculus to solve a wide variety of problems.
22 General Physics II with Calculus (4) UC:CSU IGETC Area 5A, 5C
Prerequisite: Physics 21.
Lecture, 3 hours; Labor atory, 3 hours.
In this course, students learn the essentials of electricity and magnetism, including topics such as electric field, electric potential, capacitors, resistors, RC circuits, magnetic force and torque. They examine the field of Optics such as the properties of mirrors and lenses
and how images are formed. They delve into the topics of Modern
Physics such as Relativity, Quantum Physics, Atomic and Nuclear
Physics and Particle Physics. Students use the tools of algebra, trigonometry and calculus and the knowledge acquired in Physics 21 to
solve a wide variety of problems.
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