27 courses with the subject PHYS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
PHYS 101INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY4
A course in astronomy dealing with the physical principles and scientific investigation of objects in our solar system, galaxy, and universe. The course will emphasize the study of stars, star systems, cosmology, and relativity; and how knowledge is acquired of celestial objects to develop models of our universe. Will include observations of the night sky. Open to first-year students and the nonscientist. No prerequisite. Offered Term 1. (SCI, TLAS)
A course that combines a lecture and lab approach. Basic electronic concepts, static electricity to solid-state electronics will be taught in lectures. Analog and digital circuit fundamentals will be emphasized in the laboratory sections. Open to first-year students. No prerequisite. (SCI) Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 354
PHYS 144FROM MAGIC TO SCIENCE: EXPLAINING THE UNBELIEVABLE4
This is a survey course of physics throughout history. The course will focus on how theories changed and evolved over time as new evidence was discovered. The course will cover topics such as pseudoscience, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, relativity, quantum physics, and nuclear physics. This will be done with an emphasis on the conceptual understanding of physics (without math). (TLAS)
• Any 4 courses (with labs, if applicable) from the following options: o Any additional chemistry courses, at or above the 200-level (4-6 credits each) o Physics courses at PHYS 151-level or higher (4-6 credits each); PHYS/ES 225, PHYS/ES 236, and PHYS/ES 241 cannot count towards this requirement. o If not already counting towards the above-stated mathematics requirement: PSY o Any of the following additional mathematics/statistics courses: Courses at or above MATH 152 (4) STAT 140 or 251 (4) Any 2 of the following (for 4 total credits): STAT 324 (2), STAT 343 (2), or STAT 361 (2) Any of the following computer science courses: • CMPS 160 (4), CMPS 217 (4), CMPS 260 (4) • Any combination of the following (that totals 4 credits): CMPS 290 (2, 4), CMPS 325 (4), CMPS 335 (4) If you are a pre-health or pre-veterinary science student, consider pursuing the Pre-Medicine or Pre-Veterinary Science Concentration or Health Sciences minor. Consult with your advisor to decide on the best option for you and to confirm which affiliated courses are required for admission to the schools to which you plan to apply after Hollins. Students interested in graduate school should consult their advisor and/or the prerequisite lists for admission to the graduate programs of interest to determine which of the above courses align with those requirements. MAJOR REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BIOLOGY B.S. – PRE-VETERINARY SCIENCE CONCENTRATION: 8 courses and associated laboratories, if applicable; one semester of sophomore seminar, one semester of senior capstone, one pre-veterinary internship, and allied courses (76-94 credits) REQUIRED COURSES IN BIOLOGY: • Three core courses in biology and accompanying laboratories: Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 132
Noncalculus-based general physics with an emphasis on problem-solving, primarily intended for science and pre-medical students. Topics include electricity, magnetism, DC/AC circuits, light and optics, and quantum physics. Open to first-year students. Prerequisite: PHYS 151. Offered Term 2. (SCI: must take lab to fulfill SCI)
A rigorous calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics, gravitation, thermal physics, fluid physics, and electricity and magnetism. Open to first-year students with advanced placement. take lab to fulfill SCI; TLAS: must take lab to fulfill TLAS)
PHYS 201 or 202. PHYS201L Offered Term 1. PHYS 202L offered Term 2. (Q, SCI)
PHYS 202ANALYTICAL PHYSICS II4
A rigorous calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics, gravitation, thermal physics, fluid physics, and electricity and magnetism. Open to first-year students with advanced placement. 2. (SCI: must take lab to fulfill SCI) Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 355
PHYS 201 and MATH 242 (may be taken concurrently) or test into MATH 316. Offered Term
PHYS 225ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT4
This course will examine the physics of energy, with a focus on human energy use and production and their effect on the environment. It will utilize the physical concepts of work, energy, and power, with applications from electricity and magnetism and thermodynamics, to provide an understanding of the challenges faced in implementing ecologically and economically sustainable energy. Not open to first years. Prerequisite: PHYS 151 or PHYS 201. Also listed and described as ES 225.
This course examines the physical principles of earth’s dynamic weather systems, utilizing important concepts from physics, geology, hydrology, and meteorology. Students will gain a broad understanding of interactions between the atmosphere and fresh and ocean water, including global circulation systems, storms, weather forecasting, the carbon cycle, and the greenhouse effect. Special emphasis will be placed on human-induced climate change. Also listed and described as ES 236. Open to first-year students. Prerequisite: PHYS 151, or PHYS 201, or permission of instructor.
Planet Earth’s development as an integrated physical, chemical, and biological system over the past 4.6 billion years. Topics include: the origins of the solar system, Earth, and Moon; forces driving Earth’s chemical and geological differentiation; plate tectonics; origins of life and humans; Earth’s system dynamics; humans as geological agents; and Earth’s climate system. Also listed and described as ES 241. Open to first-year students. (SCI). Offered Term 2
Individual study, reading, and either experimental or theoretical investigation of a physics- related topic below the advanced level. Each course occupies one term and may be offered during the summer. Up to three courses in the sequence may be taken for credit.
An extension of PHYS 201/202. Topics include Newton’s Laws, the simple harmonic oscillator, the central force problem, multi-particle system (coupled oscillators), rotation of rigid bodies, mechanics of continuous media, and the mechanics of Lagrange and Hamilton. Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 356
Intermediate-level electricity, magnetism, and the Maxwell equations of the electromagnetic field. Topics include charged-particle trajectories, the theorems of Gauss and Stokes, vector calculus, Poynting vector, wave and polarization phenomena, and electromagnetic interactions with matter.
Twentieth-century developments in physics: relativity theory, the nature of space and time, the equivalence of mass and energy, introductory quantum theory, the particle nature of light, the wave nature of electrons, atomic and molecular structure, and the structure of the nucleus.
This course explores the physics of living matter with a focus on the physical biology of cells. Utilizing concepts from thermodynamics and hydrodynamics, it develops an understanding of statistical mechanics through an examination of Brownian motion, diffusion, free energy transductions, and nonequilibrium steady states. Applications include cell membrane permeability, bacteria locomotion, vascular networks, and mechanochemical motors.
A rigorous introduction to the principles of quantum mechanics. Solutions of the Schrödinger equation, harmonic oscillator, and hydrogen atom. Operator methods are introduced and used to compose both orbital angular momentum and spin. Various approximation schemes will be studied. Also listed and described as CHEM 335. Hollins University 2026–27 Undergraduate Catalog Page 357
Individual study, reading, and either experimental or theoretical investigation of a physics- related topic at the advanced level. Each course occupies one term and may be offered during the summer. Up to three courses in the sequence may be taken for credit.
A participatory seminar course examining current research areas in physics. Required of senior physics majors; other junior and senior science majors may enroll with permission. All course members will present and defend their physics-related research. A critical term paper is required.
A research paper of publication quality based upon research in physics, or a physics-related field, undertaken for one term plus Short Term during the senior year. Required of all senior physics majors.
