Physics
11 courses · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
PHYS A110 Conceptual Physics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- Successful completion of a course at the level of beginning algebra or Appropriate OCC math placement.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
A brief, but complete presentation of the fundamental phenomena and laws in physics, with experimental illustrations, enhancing the development of conceptual scientific thinking.
PHYS A111 Introductory Physics Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- PHYS A110 or concurrent enrollment.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
Introductory physics laboratory to complement PHYS A110. Not open to those who hold credit for any other physics laboratory course.
PHYS A112 Survey of Chemistry and Physics with Lab
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An investigation of the basic principles of physics and chemistry including matter, physical and chemical properties, energy, motion, light, atomic structure, bonding, solutions, and chemical reactions. The inter-dependence of chemistry and physics will be emphasized. This course is intended for non-science majors.
PHYS A115 Physics of Music
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- Successful completion of a course at the level of elementary algebra or higher.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An introduction to the physics that shapes our natural world through an investigation of the creation, transmission, and perception of sound and music. Fundamentals of oscillations, waves, forces, energy, and electromagnetism are explored through scientific inquiry of musical tones, harmony, timbre, acoustics, and acoustic and electronic instruments.
PHYS A120 Algebra-Based Physics 1: Mechanics with Lab
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- MATH A120, prior completion of a course covering Trigonometry.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
- C-ID
- PHYS 105
The first semester of a two-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A120/A125) covering an algebra/trigonometry-based study of all topics in basic physics. Core topics for this first semester include: classical mechanics, including waves and fluids, and thermodynamics. Intended for CSU transfer biology majors as well as students needing a one-year sequence in algebra/trigonometry-based physics as a requirement for their major program. Students needing calculus-based physics (e.g. UC transfer biology majors) should enroll in the PHYS A130/A135 or PHYS A185/A280/A285 sequence.
PHYS A125 Algebra-Based Physics 2: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- PHYS A120.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHYS 110
The second semester of a two-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A120/A125) covering an algebra/trigonometry-based study of all topics in basic physics. Core topics for this second semester include: electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics.
PHYS A130 University Physics 1: Mechanics with Lab
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- MATH A180, MATH A180H, or MATH A182H.
- Advisory
- MATH A185, MATH A185H, or MATH A182H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
Formerly: University Physics 1 (non-majors). The first semester of a two-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A130/A135) covering a calculus-based study of all topics in basic physics. Core topics for this first semester include: classical mechanics, including waves and fluids, and thermodynamics. Intended for some UC transfer biology majors as well as students needing a one-year sequence in calculus-based physics as a requirement for their major program. Astronomy, chemistry, engineering, and physics majors should enroll in the PHYS A185/A280/A285 sequence.
PHYS A135 University Physics 2: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- PHYS A130; and MATH A182H, MATH A185, or MATH A185H.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
The second semester of a two-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A130/A135) covering a calculus-based study of all topics in basic physics. Core topics for this second semester include: electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics.
PHYS A185 Calculus-Based Physics: Mechanics with Lab
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- MATH A180, MATH A180H, or appropriate placement; and Completion of or concurrent enrollment in MATH A185, MATH A185H, or MATH A182H.
- Advisory
- One year of high school physics or a semester of college physics.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
- C-ID
- PHYS 205
Formerly: Calculus Based Physics: Mechanics. The first semester of a three-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A185/PHYS A280/PHYS A285) covering a calculus-based study of all topics in fundamental physics. Topics for this first semester include kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, momentum, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, mechanical waves, and fluids. Intended for astronomy, chemistry, engineering, and physics majors, as well as students needing an extended sequence in calculus-based physics as a requirement for their major program. Enrollment Limitation: PHYS A185H; students who complete PHYS A185 may not enroll in or receive credit for PHYS A185H.
PHYS A280 Calculus-Based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism with Lab
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- PHYS A185 or PHYS A185H; and MATH A182H, or MATH A180/MATH A180H and MATH A185/MATH A185H, or appropriate OCC placement.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
- C-ID
- PHYS 210
Formerly: Calculus-Based Physics: Electricity/Magnetism. Continuation of PHYS A185. Coulomb’s law, electrostatics fields, conductors and insulators. Gauss’s law and electromagnetic fields. Magnetic fields and Ampere’s law. Faraday’s law of induction and Maxwell's equations of electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic energy transfer by means of cables, transmission lines and transparent media.
PHYS A285 Calculus-Based Physics: Modern with Lab
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- PHYS A185 or PHYS A185.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
- C-ID
- PHYS 215
Formerly: Calculus Based Physics: Modern. Part of a three-semester sequence with lab (PHYS A185/A280/A285) covering a calculus-based study of all topics in fundamental physics. Core topics for this semester include thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics.