Physics

Associate in Science

Physics

spring-registration-callout

This degree is focused on providing students with the resources to pursue a baccalaureate degree in physics and establish a strong foundation for physics careers in academia or industry. This foundation will comprise the first two years of a baccalaureate degree in physics. As physics is the fundamental basis for all other sciences, the program is versatile and may be applied to many science career paths (e.g., data science, cybersecurity, national security, software engineering, game engines, coding and modelling). The Physics program further demonstrates its versatility by allowing the student to pursue coursework in other scientific areas such as Biology, Chemistry and Computer Science. The degree will be useful to students who are motivated towards an academic or industry career in physics as well as students who are sure of their penchant for science but unsure of precisely which field of science to commit to as a profession.

For additional program information, contact faculty advisor, Dr. Francis Toriello, or department chair, Kenneth Cabarle.

Upon completion of this program students will be able to:

  • Use physics terminology, apply fundamental physical principles and the laws of physics to understand the relationship between matter and energy of physical systems and physical phenomenon exhibited by said physical systems;
  • Apply both conceptual reasoning and quantitative skills to analyze and solve physics problems systematically and logically;
  • Prepare for and safely conduct an experiment, properly record and analyze data, and apply theoretical strategies to the analysis of data and discuss the causes of error with respect to both theory and experiment;
  • Use equipment, instrumentation, or other appropriate technology for data acquisition and analysis;
  • Build and execute predicative mathematical models of physical systems.
  • Effectively communicate scientific information and experimental results in written formats.

 

Program requirements
Courses Credits
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES - 30 credits
When a general education course is not specified, refer to the list of approved General Education courses.
Communication (6 credits)  
    ENGL101-Composition I
3
    ENGL102-Composition II
3
Mathematics-Science-Technology (12 credits)  
    MATH155-Calculus I
4
    MATH156-Calculus II
4
    PHYS225-General Physics I
4
Social Science (3 credits)  
    General Education Social Science course
3
Humanities (6 credits)  
    Choose: ARTS103, ARTS108, ARTS109, ARTS115, DANC170, MUSC100 or THEA110
3
    Choose: PHIL101, PHIL102, PHIL105, PHIL110 or PHIL111 
3
Humanities or Social Science (3 credits)  
    General Education Social Science or Humanities course
3
TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES
30
PROGRAM COURSES - 30 credits
 
    Program Requirements (20 credits)
    MATH255-Calculus III
4
    MATH256-Differential Equations
4
    PHYS226-General Physics II
4
    PHYS228-General Physics III
4
    PHYS230-Introduction to Modern Physics
4
    Program Electives (10 credits)
10

     Choose a minimum of 10 credits from the following:

  •     PHYS102-Fundamentals of Astronomy (4 cr.)
  •     CISM125-Introduction to Computers (3 cr.)
  •     CISM135-Computer Programming-C++ (4 cr.)
  •     CISM148-Problem Solving Using Scripting (4 cr.)
  •     CISM159-Intermediate Programming-C++ (4 cr.)
  •     MATH152-Linear Algebra (4 cr.)
  •     MATH220-Statistical Methods (4 cr.)
  •     ENGR125-Introduction to Electronics (4 cr.)
  •     ENGR201-Statics (3 cr.)
  •     ENGR204-Dynamics (3 cr.)
  •     CHEM110-General Chemistry I (4 cr.)
  •     CHEM111-General Chemistry II (4 cr.)
  •     BIOL109-General Biology I (4 cr.)
  •     BIOL110-General Biology II (4 cr.)
 
TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS
30

Technological Competency: 0-4 credits

Is fulfilled with CISM125 or CISM132, testing out or reviewed departmental portfolio. CISM125 may be taken as a Program Elective.

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE:
60

(PHYS) EFFECTIVE FALL 2023

RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE OF COURSES

Recommended sequence of courses
Course Code Course Name Course Credits
First Semester (15 credits)
ENGL101 Composition I 3
MATH155 Calculus I 4
PHYS225 General Physics I 4
Choose Program Elective 4
Second Semester (17 credits)
ENGL102 Composition II 3
MATH156 Calculus II 4
PHYS226 General Physics II 4
Choose Program Elective 3
Choose General Education Social Science course 3
Third Semester (14 credits)
PHYS228 General Physics III 4
MATH255 Calculus III 4
Choose General Education Social Science or Humanities Course 3
Choose ARTS103, ARTS108, ARTS109, ARTS115, DANC170, MUSC100 or THEA110 3
Fourth Semester (14 credits)
MATH256 Differential Equations 4
PHYS230 Introduction to Modern Physics 4
Choose Program Elective 3
Choose PHIL101, PHIL102, PHIL105, PHIL110 or PHIL111  3