Physics

Mission Statement: The physics courses, in accordance with the Missouri Baptist University mission statement, seek to prepare students to live in harmony with the physical environment by becoming aware of its basic principles and the means for intelligent use and conservation of its resources. An understanding of the principles of physics, designed and implemented by God, is a key factor in fulfilling this purpose. The physics courses are designed to provide this understanding, give science and mathematics students the physics background required for success in those careers, and satisfy Unified Science Core requirements for secondary science certification in Missouri.

The courses in physics (PHYS) are offered to fulfill general education, elective or additional physics credits, and/or Missouri science certification requirements.

Course Descriptions

PHYS 101 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY
This laboratory is co-requisite to PHYS 103 Introduction to Physical
Science. This lab may be taken for credit apart from PHYS 103 only
with the written consent of the instructor and the student’s advisor.
Labs will meet for two hours per week for one credit hour.
One Hour, Fall, Spring, Summer

PHYS 103 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE
A survey of selected topics in physics, including mechanics, heat,
light, electricity, and nuclear physics, together with a brief overview
of astronomy. This is the recommended physical science course for
the general education of non-science majors, and it has the dual
goals of providing information about the world around us and of
developing and testing intellectual skills in conception, analysis, and
logic. Laboratory work is included in this course. Prerequisite(s):
MATH 113 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Co-requisite:
PHYS 101 Introduction to Physical Science Laboratory.
Three Hours, Fall, Spring, Summer

PHYS 111 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS LABORATORY
This laboratory is co-requisite to PHYS 113 Introduction to Physics.
This lab may be taken for credit apart from PHYS 113 only with the
written consent of the instructor and the student’s advisor. Labs will
meet for two hours per week for one credit hour.
One Hour, On Demand

PHYS 113 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS
Physics can be thought of as the ordering of the world around us,
of the behavior and structure of matter, and of the laws that govern
these processes. This course gives an overview of many topics that
arise in a study of the ideas mentioned above. It covers topics such
as motions, forces, energy, waves, electricity, and nuclear physics. It
is suitable for students that desire a more detailed study of physics
than is given in PHYS 101 and 103, but are not ready to study
PHYS 211 and 213. Prerequisite(s): MATH 113 and high school
trigonometry, or their equivalent. Co-requisite: PHYS 111
Introduction to Physics Laboratory.
Three Hours, On Demand

PHYS 122 GEOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCE LABORATORY
This laboratory is co-requisite to PHYS 123 Geology and Earth
Science. This lab may be taken for credit apart from PHYS 123 only
with the written consent of the instructor and the student’s advisor.
Labs will meet for four hours per week for two credit hours. The
laboratories may include field projects and trips.
Two Hours, Summer, Even Years

PHYS 123 GEOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCE
A study of the physical characteristics of the earth, including its
structure, movements, weather, seasons, and its relationship to other
bodies in the universe. This course also includes a study of rocks and
minerals, as well as the presentation of topographic maps.
Co-requisite: PHYS 122 Geology and Earth Science Laboratory.
Three Hours, Summer, Even Years

PHYS 211 GENERAL PHYSICS I LABORATORY
This laboratory is co-requisite to PHYS 213 General Physics I.
This lab may be taken for credit apart from PHYS 213 only with
the written consent of the instructor and the student’s advisor. Labs
will meet for two hours per week for one credit hour.
One Hour, Fall

PHYS 213 GENERAL PHYSICS I
A calculus-based survey of physics, this course investigates
kinematics, Newton's Laws, rotational motion, conservation of
momentum and energy, and principles of thermodynamics. This
course and PHYS 223 are suitable for science and mathematics
students who need a rigorous study of physics. Prerequisite(s):
MATH 164 or consent of instructor. Co-requisite: PHYS 211
General Physics I Laboratory.
Three Hours, Fall

PHYS 221 GENERAL PHYSICS II LABORATORY
This laboratory is co-requisite to PHYS 223 General Physics II.
This lab may be taken for credit apart from PHYS 223 only with
the written consent of the instructor and the student’s advisor.
Labs will meet for two hours per week for one credit hour.
One Hour, Spring

PHYS 223 GENERAL PHYSICS II
This second course in the calculus-based physics sequence covers
electricity, magnetism, wave motion, acoustics, and light.
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 211 and 213. Co-requisite: PHYS 221
General Physics II Laboratory.
Three Hours, Spring

PHYS 363 ASTRONOMY
An introduction to the study of stars, galaxies, comets, telescopes,
the solar system, and the methods that are used to study them.
Several nighttime observations will also be made by the students.
This course will satisfy three of the six hours of additional math or
science required for the Bachelor of Science degree. Prerequisite(s):
MATH 113 and PHYS 103 and 101 or CHEM 113 and 111, or
equivalent courses.
Three Hours, Summer, Even Years

PHYS 383 METEOROLOGY
This is an introductory course in the study of the atmosphere. It
will include topics on solar radiation, temperature, humidity,
precipitation, winds, weather patterns, severe weather, and weather
forecasting. The student will gain a basic understanding of what
causes the various weather situations and an insight into how to
forecast the weather. This course will satisfy three of the six hours of
additional math or science required for the Bachelor of Science
degree. Prerequisite(s): MATH 113 and PHYS 103 and 101 or
CHEM 113 and 111, or equivalent courses.
Three Hours, Summer, Odd Years