PHY: Physics

Browse Gen Ed Courses in the Course Catalog

The courses listed below are part of Hawkeye's course catalog. The course cost is subject to change, and the listing does not confirm that the course is currently available. To see currently available courses and sections, visit the course search.

If you plan to transfer courses back to your current college or university, make sure the courses you want to take at Hawkeye will transfer. To confirm, meet with your advisor at your current school or, if you're attending the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, or Iowa State University, visit www.TransferinIowa.org.

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PHY-100 Physics in Everyday Life

3 credits—Basic laws and concepts of physics introduced and applied to activities to help students investigate how physics applies to everyday life.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

PHY-162 College Physics I

4 credits—This course covers the fundamental concepts, principles and laws of physics and their applications. It covers kinematics, dynamics, force, linear and rotational motion, fluids, sound, temperature, and heat.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-741 or MAT-102. Or equivalent placement score.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $936.00

PHY-172 College Physics II

4 credits—This course is the second semester continuation of General Physics I. The course studies the fundamental concepts, principles and laws of physics and their application. It covers electricity and magnetism, light and geometric optics, quantum and nuclear physics.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in PHY-162.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $936.00

PHY-212 Classical Physics I

5 credits—This course introduces physics using calculus-level mathematics. Designed for students in Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics. The first semester of this sequence covers the topics of vectors, linear and rotational kinematics, statics, dynamics, oscillatory and wave motion, temperature, and heat.

Lecture Hours: 64 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-210.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $1,170.00

PHY-222 Classical Physics II

5 credits—This course is the second semester continuation of Classical Physics I. This is a calculus-based course that studies the fundamental concepts, principles and laws of physics, and their applications. Topics include: electricity and magnetism, light and geometric optics, quantum and nuclear physics.

Lecture Hours: 64 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in PHY-212 and MAT-216.

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $1,170.00

PHY-924 Honors Project

1 credits—This course involves in-depth independent research on an approved topic under supervision of a faculty member. Upon project's completion, results will be shared with community of peers and faculty. This course can be repeated with different content for credit. This course may be taken for 1–3 credits.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $234.00

PHY-928 Independent Study

1 credits—This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue or investigate a topic of interest that does not fit within the framework of regular course offerings. An independent study self-directed learning agreement must be discussed with and submitted to a faculty advisor prior to registration. This course may be repeated for credit with different content. Course can be taken for 1–3 credits.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $234.00

PHY-949 Special Topics

1 credits—Special Topics expands the curriculum by allowing students to enroll for up to three credits in a specific course or program area. Subject matter may be an in-depth extension of the particular area and is developed by the teaching faculty to meet unique interests and needs of the students. This course may not duplicate another one already in the catalog. This course may be repeated for credit with different content. This course can be taken for 1–3.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $234.00