Program Overview

Physics Associate in Science Degree Program

Related Degrees & Certificates

• AS-T Associate in Science Degree for Transfer
  • Physics | 60 units

Career Opportunities

A large percentage of Physics majors select employment with universities as researchers and/or professors. Private industry employs approximately two-thirds of all non-academic physicists in companies manufacturing aircraft and missiles, chemicals, electrical equipment, and scientific equipment. Government, hospitals, and commercial research laboratories also employ Physics graduates. Specific careers include aerodynamist, airplane navigator, air pollution operating specialist, ballistics expert, educator, electrical or mechanical engineer, electrician, hydrologist, industrial hygienist, and electrical, laser, mechanical or optics physicist.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to apply the Laws of Physics to real-world problems.
• Students will be able to collect and analyze data to verify physical principles.
• Students will be prepared for upper division course at a 4-year college.

Recommended High School Preparation

• Coursework in Mathematics, English, and use of microcomputers, including spreadsheet and word processing applications.
• Coursework in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, English

University Transfer Program

Use Assist to identify lower division major preparation for the California State University and the University of California systems. For independent or out-of-state colleges and universities use their catalogs to locate this information. Transfer Services can assist you to gather this information.

About the Program

The A.S. degree in Physics is designed to prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate institutions as Physics or other science majors. Physics is also an accepted pre-medical field of study. A large percentage of Physics majors select employment with universities as researchers and/or professors. Private industry employs approximately two-thirds of all non-academic physicists in companies manufacturing aircraft and missiles, chemicals, electrical equipment, and scientific equipment. Government, hospitals, and commercial research laboratories also employ Physics graduates. Specific careers include aerodynamist, airplane navigator, air pollution operating specialist, ballistics expert, educator, electrical or mechanical engineer, electrician, hydrologist, industrial hygienist, and electrical, laser, mechanical or optics physicist.

Program Overview

The A.S. degree in Physics is designed to prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate institutions as Physics or other science majors. Physics is also an accepted pre-medical field of study.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• Required Core Courses: 12 units
  • PHYS 250 | Physics with Calculus I | 4 units
  • PHYS 260 | Physics with Calculus II | 4 units
  • PHYS 270 | Physics with Calculus III | 4 units
• Required Selective Courses: 6 units selected from the following courses:
  • CHEM 210 | General Chemistry I | 5 units
  • CHEM 220 | General Chemistry II | 5 units
  • CHEM 231 | Organic Chemistry I | 5 units
  • CHEM 232 | Organic Chemistry II | 5 units
  • CIS 255 | (CS1) Programming Methods: Java | 4 units
  • CIS 278 | (CS1) Programming Methods: C++ | 4 units
  • MATH 200 | Elementary Probability and Statistics | 4 units
  • MATH 251 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 5 units
  • MATH 252 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 5 units
  • MATH 253 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | 5 units
  • MATH 270 | Linear Algebra | 3 units
  • MATH 275 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 units
• Total Required Major Units: 18

General Education and Electives

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree. Please refer to the AA/AS Degree Requirements for more information.