Lower-division Courses

Courses

Lower-division Courses

PES 1000 - Physics in Everyday Life

A non-mathematical overview of physics and how it affects our everyday life. Topics to be included are balancing and equilibrium, tornadoes, weather patterns, circus balancing acts, air conditioners,musical instruments and other interesting applications of physics. Recommended for students with no science or mathematics background. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. GT-SC2.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1010 - Physics for Life Science I - Algebra Based

General physics with an emphasis on applications to life sciences and health professions. GT-SC2. Prer., Two years of high school algebra or equivalent.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1020 - Physics for Life Science II

General physics with an emphasis on applications to life sciences and health professions. GT-SC2. Prer., PES 1010.

  • 4 Credits
PES 1040 - Physics in Science Fiction

A study of the physics that exists in commonly occurring science fiction themes. Topics include a general discussion of conditions for life on other planets, orbital motion, Einstein’s theory of relativity, and electromagnetic phenomena. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. GT-SC2.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1050 - General Astronomy I

The methods and results of modern astronomy (solar systems and stars) at an elementary level. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. GT-SC2.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1060 - General Astronomy II

The methods and results of modern astronomy (solar systems, stars, galaxies, black holes, quasars, cosmology) at an elementary level. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. GT-SC2.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1080 - Science on the Nanoscale

Explores nanoscale science and applications to technology on the scale of sub-atomic particles, atoms and molecules where concepts of quantum theory are important. After an introduction to concepts of quantum physics, applications to physics, biology and engineering will be examined.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1090 - General Astronomy Laboratory I

A mixture of evening viewing and indoor exercises, weather dependent. Covering such topics as constellations and telescope observations, lunar geology, distance measurements, and earth seasons. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. GT-SC1.

  • 1 Credit
PES 1100 - General Astronomy Laboratory II

A mixture of evening viewing and indoor exercises, weather dependent. Covering such topics as constellations and telescope observations, nebula and galaxy classification, distance measurements and spectroscopy. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. GT-SC1.

  • 1 Credit
PES 1110 - General Physics I - Calculus Based

Rigorous calculus-level course in classical physics for science and engineering students. Includes measurements, vectors, motion in one dimension, motion in three dimensions, particle dynamics, work and energy, linear and angular momentum, rotation of rigid bodies, static equilibrium, oscillation, and gravity. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. Coreq., MATH 1320 or MATH 1330 or MATH 1350.

  • 4 Credits
PES 1120 - General Physics II

Topics covered include electrostatics, the electric field, Gauss’s law, electric potential, capacitors and dielectrics, current and resistance, the magnetic field, Ampere’s law, Faraday’s law, inductance, oscillations, and electromagnetic waves. Prer., PES 1110, Coreq., MATH 1330 or MATH 1360.

  • 4 Credits
PES 1140 - Introduction to Physics Laboratory

Experiments designed to qualitatively verify concepts in mechanics, light, and optics. To be taken concurrently with PES 1000 only. This lab is not required but must be taken if the student wishes credit for a natural science lab course in the natural science requirements. GT-SC1. Open only to PES 1000 students. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World.

  • 1 Credit
PES 1150 - General Physics Lab I Algebra Based

Designed to be taken with PES 1010. Experiments on mechanics and graphical analysis of results. GT-SC1. PES 1110 and PES 1710 students are to take lab PES 1160.

  • 1 Credit
PES 1160 - Advanced Physics Lab I

Advanced calculus-based labs covering all of the major topics in mechanics ranging from projectile motion to Newton’s Laws to Conservation of Energy to Rotational Motion. Designed to be taken concurrently with PES 1110 or PES 1710.

  • 1 Credit
PES 1170 - Advanced Physics Lab I Honors Section

Advanced calculus-based labs covering all of the major topics in mechanics ranging from projectile motion to Newton’s Laws to Conservation of Energy to Rotational Motion. To be taken concurrently with PES 1710 Honors Physics. Students will be encouraged to use individual approach, under guidance of faculty instructor. Open to PES 1710 students only.

  • 1 Credit
PES 1310 - A Lab of Her Own: Science and Women

Introduction to natural science and its methods for non-science majors. It focuses on women’s participation in both the formation of scientific concepts and the development of methodology. Modern concepts of science and mathematics with an emphasis on women’s contributions to these fields will be presented. This course will also offer a feminist critique of the traditional methods of science. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement. GT-SC2. Meets with PHIL 1310 and WEST 1310.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1450 - Musical Acoustics

A survey of the physics behind the production of musical tones and scales, including standing waves and normal modes of vibration in both strings and cavities, harmonics and overtone series, tempers of musical scales, sum and difference tones and intonation, stringed and conical bore instruments.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1500 - Introduction to Energy Science I

Brief history of human energy use; rudimentary energy concepts and fundamental dimensions; fossil fuels; magnetism and electricity; power plants; and environmental effects of energy production and use. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. GT-SC2. Meets with ENSC 1500.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1510 - Introduction to Energy Science II

Brief history of human energy use; rudimentary energy concepts and fundamental dimensions; automobiles; solar energy; wind energy; other alternative energy approaches; environmental effects of energy production and use; and solid waste management. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. GT-SC2. Meets with ENSC 1510.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1600 - Introductory Solar Energy

Brief history of human solar energy use; rudimentary energy concepts and fundamental dimensions; basic operation of the sun; fundamentals of thermal energy transfer and storage; economics and application of solar principles to construction; frequent computer simulation and web activities. Approved for the LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Sustainability. GT-SC2. Meets with ENSC 1600.

  • 3 Credits
PES 1620 - Solar Energy Laboratory

Hands-on lab class emphasizing experimental techniques and the scientific method applied to solar phenomena(position and intensity) and both passive and active solar energy systems. Approved for the LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Sustainability. Prer. or Coreq., PES 1600. Meets with ENSC 1620.

  • 1 Credit
PES 1710 - Honor Physics I

Designed for physics majors or students seriously interested in physics. Topics covered include classical mechanics and special relativity. It is a rigorous calculus-level course. The attendance of recitation class associated with lectures is obligatory. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement.

  • 4 Credits
PES 1720 - Honors Physics II

Designed for physics majors or students seriously interested in physics. This second semester of honors physics covers electricity and magnetism. It is a rigorous calculus-level course. The attendance of recitation class associated with lectures is obligatory. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement.

  • 4 Credits
PES 1950 - Special Topics

Course covering subjects of current interest on a one- time basis. Consult Course Search on the UCCS website or the MyUCCS Portal for titles.

  • 1 to 3 Credits
PES 1970 - Special Topics

Course covering subjects of current interest on a one-time basis. Consult Course Search on the UCCS website or the MyUCCS Portal for titles.

  • 1 to 3 Credits
PES 2130 - General Physics III

A continuation of PES 1120. Topics covered include fluid mechanics, waves temperature, heat and the first law of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, light, and quantum physics. Prer., PES 1120; Coreq., MATH 2350.

  • 3 Credits
PES 2150 - Physics Lab II Algebra Based

Designed to be taken with PES 1020. Covers radiation physics, electrostatics, AC and AC circuits, magnetic fields. GT-SC1. PES 1120 and PES 1720 students are to take lab PES 2160.

  • 1 Credit
PES 2160 - Advanced Physics Lab II

Advanced calculus-based labs covering all of the major topics in electricity and magnetism ranging from electric fields to circuit analysis to AC circuits to magnetism. Designed to be taken concurrently with PES 1120 or PES 1720.

  • 1 Credit
PES 2500 - Sustainable Energy Fundamentals

Past, present, and future of human energy use; rudimentary energy concepts and fundamental dimensions; efficiency of energy conversions; heat transfer; commercial electricity; alternative energy sources; environmental ramifications; energy conservation; computer simulation and web activities. This survey course is designed for science majors and assumes some knowledge of calculus and the physical sciences. Meets with ENSC 2500.

  • 3 Credits