Physics Program
2018-2019
Description
Upon completion of the required pattern of physics courses and other degree graduation requirements an Associate of Science Degree in Physics will be granted. A certificate program is also offered in physics.
Program Emphasis
The Physics Program permits the student to fulfill the lower division physics requirements for transfer programs to four-year institutions as well as providing a fundamental basis in education necessary for scientists and engineers.
| Award Type | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Achievement: | ||
| Physics | 35 | |
| Associate of Science: | ||
| Physics | 35* | |
| Associate in Science for Transfer Degree: | ||
| Physics | 28* | |
*and courses to meet graduation requirements, general education and electives as needed to meet the minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Career Options
Most careers in physics require education beyond the associate degree and some require a graduate degree. Career options utilizing physics include research, academia, optical and laser physics, and medical physics, as well as industrial and environmental applications.
Students will be assessed through a combination of performance evaluations, written assignments, and written tests and quizzes.
Certificate of Achievement
Physics
| Courses Required for the Major: | Units | |
| PHYS 195 | Mechanics | 5 |
| PHYS 196 | Electricity & Magnetism | 5 |
| PHYS 197 | Waves, Optics, & Modern Physics | 5 |
| Plus 20 units selected from the following: | ||
| CHEM 200 | General Chemistry I - Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 200L | General Chemistry I - Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 201 | General Chemistry II - Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 201L | General Chemistry II - Lab | 2 |
| MATH 141 | Precalculus | 5 |
| MATH 150 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 5 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | 4 |
| Total Units = 35 | ||
Associate of Science Degree
Physics
Note: Only one Physics (PHYS) course from the above list may be used to satisfy SDCCD general education requirements.
For graduation requirements see Requirements for the Associate Degree .
Electives (Mesa College) as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Recommended Electives: Astronomy 101 , 109 , 111 , 290 ; Biology 107 ; Chemistry 100 , 100L , 130 , 130L , 152 , 152L , 160 , 161 , 200 , 200L , 201 , 201L , 231 , 231L , 233 , 233L , 251 , 255 , 290 , 296 ; Communication Studies 103 ; Computer and Information Sciences 150 ; Economics 120 ; Engineering 115 , 151 , 200 , 210 , 250 , 260 , 270 ; Geography 101 , 101L , 102 , 290 ; Geology 290 , 296 ; Mathematics 96 , 104 , 118 , 119 , 141 , 150 , 151 ; Physical Sciences 100 , 101 , 290 , 296 ; Physics 100 , 125 , 126 , 195 , 196 , 197 , 290 .| Courses Required for the Major: | Units | |
| PHYS 195 | Mechanics | 5 |
| PHYS 196 | Electricity & Magnetism | 5 |
| PHYS 197 | Waves, Optics, & Modern Physics | 5 |
| Plus 20 units selected from the following: | ||
| CHEM 200 | General Chemistry I - Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 200L | General Chemistry I - Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 201 | General Chemistry II - Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 201L | General Chemistry II - Lab | 2 |
| MATH 141 | Precalculus | 5 |
| MATH 150 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 5 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | 4 |
| Total Units = 35 | ||
Associate in Science in Physics for Transfer Degree
The Associate in Science in Physics for Transfer Degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Physics or a related major in the California State University (CSU) system. It is accepted by some but not all CSU campuses. Students who complete this degree and transfer to a participating CSU campus will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree. It may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus that does not accept the degree.
program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Physics for Transfer Program will be able to:
- Utilize proper physics concepts and the relations among them to analyze problems qualitatively and quantitatively.
- Critically apply the principle of conservation of energy in the study of motions.
- Compose laboratory reports that describe the theory and experimental procedures, record and analyze data, and present conclusions and discussions.
- Write solutions to physics problems that identify the assumptions and input.
Students will be assessed through a combination of performance evaluations, written assignments, and written tests and quizzes.
Note: Students who plan to complete this degree should consult a counselor and visit www.assist.org for additional information about participating CSU campuses as well as university admission, degree and transfer requirements.
A ward Notes: Students are required to complete a maximum of 60 CSU transferable units with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0.
Major: A minimum of 18 units with grade of C or better.
General Education: In addition to the courses required in the major, students must complete one of the following general education options:
- The California State University General Education Breadth pattern
- The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum pattern
Note: Completion of the California State University American Institutions graduation requirement is strongly recommended prior to transfer.
Recommended Electives: Chemistry 200 , 200L , 201 , 201L .
For graduation requirements see Requirements for the Associate Degree .
Electives as needed to meet minimum of 60 units required for the degree.
Transfer Information
Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete courses required for the university major and the general education pattern required by that transfer institution. See catalog TRANSFER INFORMATION section. Additional courses may be required to meet university lower-division requirements.
Course requirements at the transfer institution are subject to change and may be verified by a counselor or by consulting the current university catalog. Many Baccalaureate in Arts degrees require third semester competency in a foreign language. Consult the current catalog of the transfer institution and consult with a counselor.