Physics
13 courses · Chabot College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
PHYS 3A College Physics A
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MTH 1, MTH 22, MTH 15 (MTH 1 or MTH 15 can be taken concurrently.)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the major principles of classical mechanics using calculus for students studying life sciences and architecture. Includes: the scientific method and social responsibility of the scientist, Newtonian mechanics, energy, gravitation, fluids, thermodynamics, and vibration waves.
PHYS 3B College Physics B
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHYS 3A, MTH 1, MTH 15, MTH 22
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the major principles of electromagnetism and modern physics using calculus for students studying life sciences and architecture. This course includes electrostatics, electronics-circuits, electromagnetic waves, optics, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, and the social responsibility of the scientist and architect.
PHYS 4A General Physics I
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 72 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MTH 1, MTH 2 (MTH 2 may be taken concurrently)
- Advisory
- PHYS 18 or High School Physics
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the principles of Newtonian mechanics using calculus as needed for STEM Majors. Physics 4A is the first course in the three- or four-semester sequence required for transfer in Engineering and Sciences. The course includes units, dimensional analysis, vectors, kinematics, velocity, acceleration, force, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation, statics, and gravitation. May not receive credit if PHYS 7A has been completed successfully.
PHYS 4B General Physics II
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 72 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHYS 4A, MTH 2 and, MTH 3 (MTH 3 may be taken concurrently).
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Physics 4B is the second course in the calculus-based sequence for STEM majors, It addresses electric fields, voltage, electric currents, resistors, capacitors, DC circuits, magnetic fields, induced currents, alternating circuits, Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic waves. May not receive credit if PHYS 7C has been completed successfully.
PHYS 4C General Physics III
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 72 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHYS 4B, MTH 3 and, MTH 4 and, MTH 6 (MTH 4 and MTH 6 may be taken concurrently with PHYS 4C).
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Physics 4C is the third course in the calculus-based sequence for STEM majors. It includes oscillations, fluids, sound waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetic spectrum, optics including reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, polarization. May not receive credit if PHYS 7B has been completed successfully.
PHYS 5 Modern Physics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- PHYS 4B, MTH 3, MTH 4 and, MTH 6 (MTH 4 and MTH 6 may be taken concurrently).
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Modern Physics is the fourth course in the STEM-major sequence of Physics. It includes special and general relativity, modern physics experiments, the wave and particle duality of light and matter, photons, quantum mechanics, atoms, solids, nuclear physics, particle physics and cosmology. May not receive credit if PHYS 7D has been completed successfully.
PHYS 7A Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Classical Mechanics
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 72 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MTH 1, MTH 2 (may be taken concurrently)
- Advisory
- PHYS 18 or equivalent high school Physics
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the principles of Newtonian mechanics using calculus. Physics 7A is the first course in the sequence designed for engineering and science majors. Key concepts include use of vectors for motion, velocities, accelerations, and forces (kinematics), dynamics, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, momentum, rotation, oscillations and gravitation. Not available for credit if Physics 4A has already been successfully completed.
PHYS 7B Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Fluid mechanics, Wave phenomena, Thermodynamics, Optics
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 72 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHYS 7A, MTH 2, MTH 3 (May be taken concurrently)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the physical principles of fluid dynamics, oscillations, mechanical waves, thermodynamics, light and optics using calculus. Physics 7B is the recommended second course in the sequence designed for engineering and science majors. Key concepts include Archimedes and Bernoulli Principles, Simple Harmonic Motion, Standing and Travelling waves, the three laws of Thermodynamics, Heat Engines, plane-wave optics, cameras, telescopes, diffraction, and interference. May not receive credit if PHYS 4C has been completed successfully.
PHYS 7C Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Electromagnetism
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 72 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHYS 7A, MTH 3, MTH 4 (may be taken concurrently), MTH 6 (may be taken concurrently)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the principles of Electricity and Magnetism using calculus. Physics 7C is the recommended third course in the sequence designed for engineering and science majors, but it can be taken directly after Physics 7A or with Physics 7B if math prerequisites are met. Key concepts include Electric fields, Gauss' Law, Electric Potential, Capacitors, Current, Resistance, Series and Parallel Circuits, magnetic fields, induced currents, alternating circuits, Maxwell’s equations, Electromagnetic waves. May not receive credit if PHYS 4B has been completed successfully.
PHYS 7D Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Modern Physics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- PHYS 7B (May be taken concurrently), PHYS 7C (May be taken concurrently)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to relativity and modern physics. Physics 7D is the last course in the sequence designed for engineering and science majors. Key concepts include special and general relativity, introduction to quantum mechanics, Schroedinger Equation, Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, and Particle Physics, Condensed-matter physics, and Cosmology. Preferably, students will need to have completed Physics 7ABC to enroll, but they may take Physics 7B or 7C concurrently. May not receive credit if PHYS 5 has been completed successfully.
PHYS 11 Descriptive Physics
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Motion, gravitation, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, atoms, and nuclei. Present-day scientific problems and developments such as alternative energy sources, solar energy, nuclear power, lasers, relativity, and black holes. Designed for non-majors in physical science. Includes an introduction to laboratory, principles and techniques emphasizing the basic concepts discussed in the class.
PHYS 18 Preparatory Physics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- MTH 36, MTH 37 or equivalent
Basic problem solving techniques in mechanics as foundation for Physics 2A and Physics 4A. Methods and strategies used to solve quantitative Physics problems. Intended for mathematics, engineering, and physics, science students. Emphasis on group problem-solving activities, diversity in problem-solving approaches, and detailed oral and written presentation of solutions.
PHYS 25 Computational Methods for Engineers and Scientists
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 Lecture, 54 Lab
- Prerequisite
- MTH 1 (completed with a grade of "C" or higher)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Methodology and techniques for solving engineering/science problems using numerical-analysis computer-application programs MATLAB, SimuLink, Livescripts, app designer and Excel. Technical computing and visualization using MATLAB software. Examples and applications from applied mathematics, physical mechanics, electrical circuits, biology, thermal systems, fluid systems, and other branches of science and engineering.