Physics
8 courses · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
PHYS-02A General Physics I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MATH-02 or MATH-02H; or MATH-25 and MATH-26
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHYS 105
This course is intended for students other than physics and engineering majors. PHYS-02A is the first semester of a one-year physics course designed to develop major concepts and give an understanding of general principles of physics. This course will also try to relate physics to other areas of knowledge and discuss science in general, and physics specifically, as part of the concept of culture and time. The development of ideas will begin with those of Aristotle and terminate with present-day concepts of the atom and nucleus. PHYS-02A will emphasize the universe, motion, forces in nature, energy, fields, conservation laws, waves, sound, light, and thermal phenomena. (02/21)
PHYS-02B General Physics II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- PHYS-02A
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHYS 110
PHYS-02B is a continuation of PHYS-02A with emphasis on electricity, magnetism, radiation, relativity, atomic and nuclear processes, astrophysics, cosmology, and a look toward the future. (02/21)
PHYS-04A Physics I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MATH-C2210 (formerly MATH-04A)
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A); MATH-C2220 (formerly MATH-04B)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHYS 205, 200S
This course is a calculus-based physics course intended for physics and engineering majors as well as some chemistry and math majors. PHYS¬04A is the first semester of a three-semester sequence intended to give a technical introduction to physics with emphasis on concepts and principles of physics and problem-solving. PHYS-04A includes the areas of mechanics, wave motion, fluids, and thermal phenomena. (09/20)
PHYS-04B Physics II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- PHYS-04A
- Corequisite
- MATH-C2220 (formerly MATH-04B) (one-way)
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHYS 210, 200S
PHYS-04B is a continuation of PHYS-04A with emphasis on the areas of electricity, magnetism, and light. (09/20)
PHYS-04C Physics III
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MATH-C2220 (formerly MATH-04B); PHYS-04B
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHYS 200S
PHYS-04C is a continuation of PHYS-04B. It emphasizes the laws of thermodynamics, relativity, and topics of modern physics. (02/21)
PHYS-10 Concepts in Physics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A); Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a survey of major concepts covered in physics. The concepts, as well as the understanding of general principles, will be developed through lecture, demonstrations, and discussion of everyday phenomena. Both classical and modern topics will be covered, to include mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light, atomic and nuclear physics, relativity, and astrophysics. This course provides an opportunity to work with the concepts of physics in a qualitative manner. (02/21)
PHYS-95A Support for Algebra-Based Physics
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Corequisite
- PHYS-02A
A review of the core prerequisite skills, competencies, and concepts needed in algebra based physics. Topics include prealgebra, elementary and intermediate algebra, and trigonometry. Intended for students who are currently enrolled in algebra-based physics. (12/24)
PHYS-95C Support for Calculus-Based Physics
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Corequisite
- PHYS-04A
A review of the core prerequisite skills, competencies, and concepts needed in calculus based physics. Topics include prealgebra, elementary and intermediate algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. Intended for students who are currently enrolled in calculus based physics. (12/24)