PHYSICS
Unless stated otherwise, the minimum grade acceptable in all course prerequisites is a C-.
PHYS 083 (Physics 11):
Preparatory College Physics I 4 credits
Prerequisites: Math 11 (or Principles of Math 11), or MATH 084 or MATH 085
Transferability: none
This is a college preparatory course equivalent to the Physics 11 course taught in B.C.’s high schools. Successful completion of this course provides the prerequisites to enrol in PHYS 101 at UCFV. No prior knowledge of physics is needed or supposed, but it would be advisable to have passed Math 11 (or Principles of Math 11) or MATH 085 before enrolling in PHYS 083.
This course covers the main concepts in mechanics and optics. In mechanics the topics studied are kinematics, vectors, Newton’s laws, translational motion with applied forces, centripetal force, energy, work, and momentum. In optics the topics covered are: properties of light, reflection, image formation from plane mirrors, and spherical mirrors, refraction, image formation from convex and concave lenses, diffraction, and models of light.
A large number of experiments will be assigned to provide correlation between the classroom theory and practical applications.
PHYS 093 (Physics 12):
Preparatory College Physics II 4 credits
Prerequisites: Math 11 (or Principles of Math 11), PHYS 083 (Physics 11), or PHYS 100
This is a college preparatory course equivalent to the Physics 12 course taught in B.C.’s high schools. Successful completion of this course gives the prerequisites to enrol in PHYS 111 at UCFV.
The concepts covered are mechanics, electricity, and magnetism. In mechanics the topics are kinematics with emphasis on 2D motion, vectors, Newton’s laws, Newton’s gravitational law, projectile motion, centripetal force, conservation of energy, work, conservation of momentum. In electricity and magnetism the topics are: Coulomb’s law, electric fields, potential and potential difference, Ohm’s law, circuits, resistances in series and parallel, Kirchhoff’s laws, magnetic fields and their sources, and forces produced by magnetic fields.
A large number of experiments will be assigned to provide correlation between the classroom theory and practical applications.
PHYS 100:
Introductory Physics 4 credits
Prerequisites: Math 11 (or Principles of Math 11), and either Math 12 or MATH 094
Corequisite: MATH 095 suggested
Transferability: SFU, OU
This course is designed for students who have not taken physics before, and either need Grade 11 physics equivalency for entry to a technical program, or are interested in continuing on in science. It may satisfy the Laboratory Science requirements of Arts students. The course material overlaps Physics 11, and includes such topics as: kinematics, energy, wave motion and geometric optics. Some discussion of relativity and nuclear energy is also included.
PHYS 101:
Introductory General Physics: Mechanics and Fluids 4 credits
Prerequisites: Physics 11 or PHYS 100 and Math 12. Students with Physics 12 or those enrolling in MATH 111 might wish to enrol in PHYS 111.
Transferability: UBC, SFU, UVic, OU, TWU
This is an introductory non-calculus course for students with only Physics 11 or equivalent. This course covers Newtonian mechanics, motion, momentum, and energy of particles, rigid rotating bodies, and fluids.The object of the course is to develop both an understanding of physical laws and to develop logical problem-solving skills. The course includes lectures, tutorials, and laboratory experiments. Physics 101 followed by Physics 105 will give the student a full year of algebra-based physics.
PHYS 103:
Astronomy: The Solar System 4 credits
Prerequisites: none
Transferability: UBC, SFU, UVic, OU, TWU
An introductory course in astronomy focusing on the solar system. Topics include a brief history of astronomy, Newton’s laws, gravity, orbits, eclipses, seasons. Includes discussion of the nature of light and other electromagnetic radiation, relativity and quantum theory, and description of modern astronomical instruments. The second half of the course describes the geology, geography, and climates of the nine planets in the solar system, along with their moons and the asteroids. Origin of the solar system is discussed.
PHYS 104:
Astronomy: The Cosmos 4 credits
Prerequisites: PHYS 103 suggested
Transferability: UBC, SFU, UVic, OU, TWU
An introductory course in astronomy focusing on the stars and universe. Topics include properties of stars, galaxies, life cycle of a star, modern theories in astronomy, and origin and evolution of the universe. Students will be given a number of laboratory exercises to supplement the material covered in class. The course will place emphasis on conceptual development rather than a rigorous mathematical treatment and is a suitable non-calculus-based laboratory science course for Arts students.
PHYS 105:
Non-Calculus Physics 4 credits
Prerequisites: Math 12, plus one of (Physics 12, PHYS 101, or 111)
Transferability: SFU, TWU, UBC, UVic, OU
Though suitable for all science students, this course is of particular interest to students taking biology and chemistry. Topics include thermodynamics, waves, geometric and wave optics, electricity and instrumentation, and an introduction to quantum phenomena. This course can be taken by students who only need one non-calculus physics course and already have Grade 12 physics, or in combination with Physics 101, or can be the second half of a full-year non-calculus program. The course can also be used in combination with Physics 111 as an entry into a UCFV physics major, although Physics 111 and 112 is the preferred route.
PHYS 111:
Mechanics 4 credits
Prerequisites: Physics 11 or PHYS 100; Physics 12 recommended
Corequisite: MATH 111 (Calculus) (may be taken as a prerequisite)
Transferability: UBC, SFU, UVic, OU, TWU
The course is intended for students who are planning to study engineering, science, or life sciences. Topics covered include: vectors, kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, collisions, rotational kinematics, rotational dynamics, simple harmonic motion, and gravitation. The object is to understand the fundamental laws of mechanics, to learn how to apply the theory to solve related problems, and to develop a feeling for the order of magnitude of physical quantities in real experiments.
PHYS 112:
Electricity and Magnetism 4 credits
Prerequisites: PHYS 111 or PHYS 101 (B+ or better)
Corequisites: MATH 112 (may be taken as a prerequisite)
Transferability: UBC, SFU, UVic, OU, TWU
The second half of PHYS 111 is designed for students who are planning to continue their studies in physics or any of the other sciences. Topics include electric fields, Gauss’s law, electric potential, circuits, Kirchhoff’s laws, magnetic fields, magnetic induction, and finally, a study of Maxwell’s equations. The laboratory portion of the course uses experiments to reinforce the theory covered in class.
PHYS 207:
Science for Elementary School Teachers 4 credits
Prerequisites: 45 university-level credits, or a B.C. teaching certificate or equivalent, or instructor’s permission
Corequisites: none
This course is designed for elementary school teachers desiring greater competence in science. The course consists of 40 short experiments, and discussion around the experiments. The areas covered include the life sciences, physical sciences, and earth and space science, and correspond to the provincially prescribed Learning Outcomes for Science K-7.
PHYS 221:
Intermediate Mechanics 4 credits
Prerequisites: PHYS 111/112 or 101/105 with a B+ average
Corequisites: MATH 211 (can also be taken as a prerequisite)
Transferability: UBC, SFU, UVic, OU, TWU
This course extends the topics covered in PHYS 111.
Topics covered include kinematics, motion in polar coordinates, Newton’s laws, momentum work, some mathematical aspects of physics and vector analysis (gradient, divergence, curl, Stokes’ theorem and Gauss’s law), angular momentum, forced and damped harmonic motion, central forces and Lagrangian mechanics. The laboratory portion of the course includes experiments designed to supplement the theory covered in class.
PHYS 222:
Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism 4 credits
Prerequisites: PHYS 221
Transferability: UBC, SFU, UVic, OU, TWU
This course extends the topics covered in PHYS 112. Topics include steady-state and time-varying electric and magnetic fields, elements of DC and AC circuits, complex vector representation of sinusoidal quantities, and electric and magnetic properties of solids. Experiments in voltage, current and impedance measurements, and RC, RL, and RLC circuits are used to reinforce the classroom theory. The course will be presented using lectures, tutorials, and laboratory experiments.
PHYS 231:
Introductory Thermodynamics 3 credits
Prerequisites: PHYS 111, MATH 111
Corequisite: MATH 112 (may be taken as a prerequisite)
Transferability: UBC, SFU, UVic, OU, TWU
This course is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in engineering or physical science. This is an introductory course designed to study the fundamentals of heat, energy, and thermodynamics. Topics include temperature, heat, the first and second law of thermodynamics, phase change, and the kinetic theory of gases.
To ensure a comprehensive treatment of the above topics the course will be presented using lectures, tutorials and computer simulations.
PHYS 252:
Relativity and Modern Physics 3 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 221 or MATH 152
Corequisites: MATH 112, PHYS 112 (both can also be taken as a prerequisite)
Transferability: UBC, SFU, UVic, OU, TWU
This course is intended for students who plan to complete a minor in physics and/or chemistry. The course is designed as the students’ first university course in Einstein’s theory of special relativity and quantum physics. The course will use qualitative discussions of the two theories along with the development of the more formal mathematics needed to acquire a deeper understanding of the theories.
PHYS 302:
Optics 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisites: PHYS 222 or (PHYS 105, 112 and 221)
This introductory optics course surveys both geometrical and wave optics. Topics will include: laws of reflection and refraction; interference and diffraction; Fourier methods; and holography.
PHYS 311:
Statistical Physics 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisites: PHYS 231
This course introduces students to the advanced methods of statistical physics. Connections with thermodynamics are emphasized. Topics include canonical ensembles, partition functions, and quantum statistics.
PHYS 321:
Advanced Mechanics 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisite: PHYS 221
The object of this course is to extend the concepts studied in PHYS 221. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, oscillations, gravitation, central forces, motion in noninertial reference frames, Hamilton’s principle and Lagrange’s equations, systems of particles, and dynamics of rigid bodies. Although this course has no lab component, the emphasis will be shared equally between the theoretical and the applied aspects of the physics being studied.
PHYS 322:
Advanced Electricity and Magnetism 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisite: PHYS 222
This course reviews and deepens the concepts discussed in PHYS 112 and 222. Maxwell’s equations are examined from several perspectives and the link between them and special relativity is explored. The propagation, reflection, transmission, refraction and polarization of electromagnetic waves is explored.
PHYS 325:
Fluid Mechanics 3 credits
Prerequisites: PHYS 231
Fluid mechanics is undergoing a renaissance with the advent of personal computers. In this course we will examine the fundamental laws of fluid motion and use accompanying software to solve realistic problems.
PHYS 332:
Electronics 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisite: PHYS 222
Corequisite: PHYS 342 (may be taken as a prerequisite)
PHYS 332 is an introductory electronic principles and circuit analysis course. Topics will include analysis of DC and AC circuits, diodes, bipolar transistors, field effect transistors, transistor amplifiers, operational amplifiers, power supplies, digital logic. Students enrolling in this course must also take PHYS 342, the accompanying lab course, in the same semester. Major emphasis will be on using a computer SPICE program to model and simulate the operation of the circuits and circuit devices being studied.
PHYS 342:
Electronic Laboratory 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisite: PHYS 222
Corequisite: PHYS 332 (may be taken as a prerequisite)
PHYS 342 is the laboratory portion of PHYS 332. Accordingly, students taking PHYS 342 must also be enrolled in PHYS 332. This course is designed to introduce and provide students with experience and practice in wiring and analyzing analog and digital circuits; understanding how passive and active circuit devices are used in circuits; understanding how to check a circuit’s operation by employing the measuring and the test equipment found in modern electronic laboratories; using a computer SPICE program to help understand, simulate, and compare how well the computer predicts the behaviour of the functioning circuit.
PHYS 351:
Quantum Mechanics 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisite: PHYS 252; PHYS 381 (may be taken as a corequisite)
This fundamental course on quantum mechanics is the gateway to modern physics. Schrödinger equation and basic postulates of the theory will be examined. Topics will include angular momentum, hydrogen atom, and perturbation theory.
PHYS 381:
Mathematical Physics 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisites: (PHYS 112, MATH 211, MATH 255) or (PHYS 112, PHYS 221, MATH 211, and corequisite: MATH 255)
The object of this course is to give students a wide arsenal of mathematical techniques, tools and tricks to increase their ability in setting up and solving problems from scratch. The solution of partial differential equations with applications to many areas of physics is the biggest single theme of the course. Also included will be special functions, calculus of variations and integral equations.
Note: Credit cannot be obtained for more than one of MATH 381, PHYS 381, or ENGR 257.
PHYS 382:
Modern Physics Lab 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisites: PHYS 221/222,252
This course allows students to develop skills with extended experiments and projects. Students will have the opportunity to use their own creativity in investigating a variety of modern physics topics.
PHYS 451:
Advanced Quantum Mechanics 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisites: Physics 351
This course is a continuation from PHYS 351, the intermediate quantum mechanics course. The course focuses on the application of quantum mechanics. Topics include one-electron atoms, perturbation theory, variational method, time-dependent perturbation theory, spin, and multi-electron atoms.
PHYS 462:
Digital Electronics and Comp. Interfacing 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisites: PHYS 332
Corequisites: PHYS 472 (may be taken as a prerequisite)
PHYS 462 is an introductory digital electronic course with emphasis on understanding how digital electronics is used in personal computers. Topics include gates and Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, flip flops, registers, counters and memories, digital components, microprocessor functions and architecture, instruction sets, addressing modes, and programming the popular microprocessors.
Physics 472, the laboratory portion of this course, must be taken concurrently. This course is designed to provide practical experience with the basic digital logic chips and show how digital circuits can be interfaced with microprocessors.
PHYS 472:
Laboratory: Digital Electronics 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisites: PHYS 332
Corequisites: PHYS 462 (may be taken as a prerequisite)
PHYS 472 is the laboratory portion of the digital electronics course, PHYS 462. The experiments done in this course are designed to provide students with practical experience using, testing, and designing digital logic circuits. The experiments are closely related to the material covered in the classroom. The unifying philosophy of this course is to show how digital logic circuits can be interfaced with many of the common microprocessors.
PHYS 484:
Nonlinear Physics 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisites: PHYS 221, PHYS 381
Corequisites: PHYS 485 (may be taken as a prerequisite)
Physics 484 is an integrated physics course designed to introduce students to the exciting world of nonlinear phenomena. Nonlinear physics is at the cutting edge of physics and it may be the penultimate branch of physics. The study of nonlinear physics is important and useful because its models are used in many disciplines, as diverse as business and ecology. This course is designed to integrate the computer’s ability to perform symbolic computations, simulations, equation solving and plotting, and model testing with the classroom theory along with the related laboratory experiments of PHYS 485. Topics include nonlinear mechanics, interesting nonlinear systems, methods of solving nonlinear equations, topological analysis, limit cycles, analytical methods, forced oscillations of nonlinear systems, partial nonlinear differential equations, numerical techniques, etc. Access to an IBM-compatible computer will assist students in doing the problems and in understanding the text’s examples.
PHYS 485:
Nonlinear Physics Laboratory 3 credits
Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University
Prerequisites: PHYS 221, PHYS 381
Corequisites: PHYS 484 (may be taken as a prerequisite)
PHYS 485 is the laboratory portion of PHYS 484.
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