You will find information relating to current physics and astronomy courses offered at Alvin Community College in Alvin, Texas. I am Dr Joseph Mills - Instructor of Physics at ACC. You can find descriptions of some of the courses I have taught at University of Houston, University Park Campus at http://www.uh.edu/~jmills2/
During the Spring 2010 semester we are offering:
PHYS1401 - College Physics I
This is the first of two semesters in an introductory algebra-based survey course in physics. Mechanics includes one and two dimensional kinematics, dynamics, momentum and impulse, energy concepts including potential and kinetic energy and conservation of energy, friction, Newton's Laws of motion, Hooke's Law, simple harmonic motion. Heat and thermodynamics includes an introduction of concepts of heat, transport of heat, calorimetry, kinetic theory of gases, simple cyclic processes, heat engines.
(3 lecture and 3 laboratory hours per week). Prerequisite: READ 0312, MATH 0312
PHYS1402 - College Physics II
This is the second semester of College Physics, a survey course in physics using algebra. This semester includes electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics (atoms, molecules, etc). (3 lecture and 3 laboratory hours per week). Prerequisite: READ 0312, MATH 0312, PHYS 1401.
PHYS2425 - University Physics I
This course for students in science, engineering, and other related fields covers such topics as one and two dimensional kinematics, dynamics, momentum and impulse, energy concepts including potential and kinetic energy and conservation of energy, friction, Newton's Laws of motion, Hooke's Law, simple harmonic motion. Heat and thermodynamics includes an introduction of concepts of heat, transport of heat, calorimetry, kinetic theory of gases, simple cyclic processes, heat engines.
(3 lecture and 3 laboratory hours per week). Prerequisite: READ 0310, MATH 2413
PHYS2426 - University Physics II
This introductory course includes:
Module 1
Basic material on the history of astronomy, physics of planetary motion, the nature of light, operation of telescopes.
Module 2
We consider the origin of the solar system and contrast it with other extra-solar planetary systems.
Module 3
We explore the terrestrial planets, their similarities and differences, and their evolution over the live of the solar system.
Module 4
Explores the Jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) and their moons, Pluto, the Kuiper Belt objects and comets.
Special attention is placed on recent discoveries and problems in the planetary sciences. The laboratory portion of this class includes instruction on telescope operation and observing techniques. We will observe with a variety of telescopes including the 36” telescope at the George Observatory at Brazos Bend State Park.
The lab includes observing the planets and a variety of exercises in observational astronomy.
You can reach me with questions at jmills@alvincollege.edu -
Clear Skies!
JMM
