Program Overview

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Physics (Accelerated) Associate of Science - Transfer, Track 2 (PHST2AS)

This pathway meets requirements for the Associate of Science - Transfer, Track 2 degree requirements with a concentration in Physics (Accelerated). An “accelerated” pathway assumes students already have some background knowledge in physics, chemistry, computer science, and at the calculus level for mathematics either from high school or other college coursework. Alternatively, most physics students follow the non-accelerated Physics pathway. Please see your advisor to make your personalized educational plan for a pathway that works best for you.

Completion of this degree allows you to transfer into a Physics program at a four-year college or university which opens doors to a variety of careers in sectors including engineering, computer science, research in the public and private sector, and education. Students in this pathway develop an understanding of physics and skills in experimental design, teamwork, project management, programming, advanced math, technical writing, applying physics to interdisciplinary problems, and effective communication.

Estimated Length of Completion

• Full-time: 6 quarters
• Part-time: varies

Degree | Quarters | Units
---|---|---
Associate of Science - Transfer, Track 2 (PHST2AS) | Full time : 6 | 90-108

Before Quarter One

• Pre-College or Transitional Studies Math (if needed).
• Pre-College or Transitional Studies English (if needed).
• Take CHEM&139 General Chemistry Prep as a prerequisite to CHEM&161 General Chemistry with Lab I or take the chemistry placement exam.
• PHYS& 114 or high school physics if needed.
• CSC 110 (or programming class).
• Apply for Financial Aid and other funding before your first quarter.
• Transfer previous college credits to North if applicable.
• Attend New Student Orientation.
• Explore placement options: take the math and English placement tool if needed.
• Make an informed choice on the number of units to take each quarter.
• F-1 international students must enroll full time (12+ units) each quarter and check in with the International Programs office before the start of the quarter if enrolling in less than 12 units and/or before starting any work or volunteer experience.
• If you need academic accommodations for a documented disability, please contact Disability Services.

Sample Schedule and Quarterly To-Do List

90-108 Units

A sample schedule and quarterly to-do list are below. The schedule and to-do list will help you explore courses and complete tasks on time. The guide assumes a fall quarter start, but you can begin in any quarter and start at any placement level.

Quarter 1

To-Do List

16 UNITS

• Schedule an advising appointment with your assigned advisor or retention specialist in Starfish to meet and discuss your goals.
• Explore careers and majors through workshops, counseling and career services
• Come to the Library to get help with research; check out resources; access computers and study space; and create media projects.
• Visit the Student Learning Center to learn about tutoring services offered in-person and online.
• Check out campus life: Student Clubs (Physics, Rocket Club, Engineering Club) and Affinity Groups, AANAPISI, TRIO, Community & Welcome Center, Wellness Center, etc.
• Join Society of Physics Students and/or American Association of Physics Teachers.
• Introduce yourself to a physics faculty member to plan early.
• Apply to LSAMP.

CHEM&161

General Chem W/Lab I

6 units

CHEM&161 6 units

CHEM& 161: General Chemistry With Lab I

The first in a 3-quarter sequence introducing basic chemistry concepts such as: structure & bonding, chemical reactivity, measurement, stoichiometry, structure of matter, gas laws, intermolecular forces, solutions, acid/base, kinetics, equilibrium and other chemical concepts. Satisfies the general chemistry requirement for science & engineering majors. Lab included.

Course ID 6 Units

Natural World Lab Science

ENGL&101

English Composition I

5 units

ENGL&101 5 units

ENGL& 101: English Composition I

English 101 is a college-level writing course that emphasizes academic writing and major strategies of reading and writing analytically. Writing assignments focus on engaging with and responding to a variety of texts. Instruction encourages students to develop, through revision and reflection, as readers, writers, and critical thinkers. Prereq: Eligibility for ENGL&101.

Course ID 5 Units

MATH&151

Calculus I

5 units

MATH&151 5 units

MATH& 151: Calculus I

The sequence MATH&151, &152 and &163 covers limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, intro to differential equations, series (including Taylor series), vector geometry in three dimensions, multivariable calculus, partial differentiation, double integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates, and applications.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

Quarter 2

To-Do List

16 UNITS

• Create an education plan with your assigned advisor or retention specialist.
• Apply for the Seattle Colleges Foundation Scholarship and other scholarships.
• Apply for financial aid for the upcoming academic year in Winter or Spring quarter to maximize your funding options.
• Research and develop a list of four-year colleges and universities.
• Attend transfer workshops and a transfer fair.
• Attend Engineering Mentor Night
• Apply for Washington State Opportunity Scholarship and WISE scholarship
• Consider applying for an NSF summer REU (National Science Foundation) undergraduate research experience or Society of Physics student website.

CHEM&162

General Chem W/Lab II

6 units

CHEM&162 6 units

CHEM& 162: General Chemistry with Lab II

The second in a 3-quarter sequence introducing basic chemistry concepts such as: structure & bonding, chemical reactivity, measurement, stoichiometry, structure of matter, gas laws, intermolecular forces, solutions, acid/base, kinetics, equilibrium and other chemical concepts. Satisfies the general chemistry requirement for science & engineering majors. Lab included.

Course ID 6 Units

Natural World Lab Science

MATH&152

Calculus II

5 units

MATH&152 5 units

MATH& 152: Calculus II

The sequence MATH&151, &152 and &163 covers limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, intro to differential equations, series (including Taylor series), vector geometry in three dimensions, multivariable calculus, partial differentiation, double integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates, and applications.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

Visual, Literary and Perf Arts

5 units

Visual, Literary and Perf Arts 5 units

Visual, Literary and Perf Arts

Quarter 3

To-Do List

16 UNITS

• Update your education plan with your assigned advisor or retention specialist.
• Connect with potential universities' admission offices at transfer fairs and info sessions and determine application procedures and deadlines.
• Consider Student Leadership positions, lab assistant, tutoring center and other on-campus jobs.
• Visit potential universities, view geology research areas, and determine application deadlines.
• Consider taking summer classes (such as a Visual, Literary and Performing Arts or Individuals Cultures and Societies class) or an internship.

PHYS&221

Engineering Physics I

5 units

PHYS&221 5 units

PHYS& 221: Engineering Physics I

Development of the basic principles of classical mechanics--kinematics, Newton's laws and the conservation laws using calculus. Lab included.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Lab Science

CHEM&163

General Chem W/Lab III

6 units

CHEM&163 6 units

Check with your North advisor and transfer university for chemistry requirement.

CHEM& 163: General Chemistry With Lab III

The third in a 3-quarter sequence introducing basic chemistry concepts such as: structure & bonding, chemical reactivity, measurement, stoichiometry, structure of matter, gas laws, intermolecular forces, solutions, acid/base, kinetics, equilibrium and other chemical concepts. Satisfies the general chemistry requirement for science & engineering majors. Lab included.

Course ID 6 Units

Natural World Lab Science Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

MATH&163

Calculus 3

5 units

MATH&163 5 units

MATH& 163: Calculus 3

The sequence MATH&151, &152 and &163 covers limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, intro to differential equations, series (including Taylor series), vector geometry in three dimensions, multivariable calculus, partial differentiation, double integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates, and applications.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

Quarter 4

To-Do List

20 UNITS

• Update your education plan and confirm your program of study with your assigned advisor or retention specialist.
• Contact Physics/Astronomy department at potential universities.
• Attend transfer events at North and universities of interest.
• Attend STEM Career Fair.
• Write your personal statement for university applications.
• Check transfer requirements for recommended electives if time such as: Statistics (MATH&211), Undergraduate Research, Technical Writing, Biology, Computer Science, Organic Chemistry, Engineering, Foreign Language, Astronomy, Geology 101.

MATH220 or MATH224 or MATH238

Choose a course

5 units

Choose a course

MATH220

MATH224

MATH238

PHYS&222

5 units

PHYS&222 5 units

PHYS&222

CSC110 or Approved elective

Choose a course

5 units

Choose a course

CSC 110: Introduction to Computer Programming

An overview of computer program design and problem solving with a focus on problem analysis, program development, testing and debugging. Students will use functions, control structures, and data structures to develop a variety of increasingly complex programs to solve scientific and technical problems. Students will learn to document and test their solutions. Programming language may vary.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World

Approved elective

Quarter 5

To-Do List

20 UNITS

• Apply for graduate for the Associate of Science - Transfer, Track 2 (PHST2AS) degree.
• Apply for the Seattle Colleges Foundation Scholarship and other scholarships.
• Apply for financial aid for the upcoming academic year in Winter or Spring quarter to maximize your funding options.
• Check with transfer university requirements for ENGR&240.
• Apply to universities or colleges and scholarships.
• Attend Engineering Mentor night.
• Consider applying for a summer NSF REU National Science Foundation) undergraduate research experience or Society of Physics student website.

PHYS&223

Engineering Physics III

5 units

PHYS&223 5 units

PHYS& 223: Engineering Physics III

Introduction to waves and oscillations and the study of sound, geometric and physical optics. Covers the dualistic particle-wave nature of microscopic phenomena as an intro to modern physics. Lab included.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Lab Science

ENGR240

Intro Numerical Methods

5 units

ENGR240 5 units

Check with transfer university requirements.

ENGR 240: Introduction to Numerical Methods

Covers numerical solutions to engineering problems using modern scientific computing tools. Includes intro to MATLAB programming, matrix algebra, finding roots, curve-fitting, integration, differential equations.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World

MATH224 or MATH220 or MATH238

Choose a course

5 units

Choose a course

MATH 224: Vector Calculus

Continuation of MATH& 163. Includes vector-valued functions, vector fields, line and surface integrals and the theorems of Green, Gauss, and Stokes. Learn vector operators and the extension of the calculus to the vectors in 2-D and 3-D space.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

MATH 220: Linear Algebra

Intro to linear algebra and its implications. Includes systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, inner product spaces, eigenvalue problems, and similarity transformations.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

MATH 238: Differential Equations

Covers first order differential equations, second order differential equations, their applications, and Laplace transforms. Covers the elementary theory of differential equations and the interrelationship between pure mathematics and applied mathematics.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

Quarter 6

To-Do List

20 UNITS

• Order cap and gown for commencement and join alumni association.
• Attend graduation celebrations and commencement ceremony.

MATH238 or MATH224 or MATH220

Choose a course

5 units

Choose a course

MATH 238: Differential Equations

Covers first order differential equations, second order differential equations, their applications, and Laplace transforms. Covers the elementary theory of differential equations and the interrelationship between pure mathematics and applied mathematics.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

MATH 224: Vector Calculus

Continuation of MATH& 163. Includes vector-valued functions, vector fields, line and surface integrals and the theorems of Green, Gauss, and Stokes. Learn vector operators and the extension of the calculus to the vectors in 2-D and 3-D space.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

MATH 220: Linear Algebra

Intro to linear algebra and its implications. Includes systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, inner product spaces, eigenvalue problems, and similarity transformations.

Course ID 5 Units

Natural World Quantitative/SymbolicReasoning

Individuals/Cultures/Societies or Visual, Literary and Perf Arts

Choose a course

5 units

Choose a course

Individuals/Cultures/Societies 5 units

Individuals/Cultures/Societies

Visual, Literary and Perf Arts 5 units

Visual, Literary and Perf Arts

More Information

Tuition and Funding

It's time to apply for Financial Aid for next year.

Need help paying for college?

To apply for financial aid, including grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back, visit North's Financial Aid Department for details. Part-time and full-time students can qualify for financial aid funds.

Learn more about the estimated cost of attendance and general fees to attend college.

Career Opportunities

A Physics pathway can lead to various career opportunities. Examples include:

• Physical sciences technician
• Physics Teacher
• Engineer
• Programmer
• Research scientist
• Web developer
• IT consultant/data analyst
• Financial analyst

A Bachelor's degree or higher may be required for some careers listed above.

Future Education Opportunities

Once you complete the AS-Track 2 degree, additional education opportunities include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics. In addition, prepares you well for graduate coursework in Engineering, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics or a related field at a four-year college or university.
• Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree at one of the Seattle Colleges such as Application Development at North Seattle College.

North Seattle College has direct transfer agreements with four-year institutions throughout Washington state, including the University of Washington, Washington State University, and Seattle University. Physics graduates from North have also transferred to out-of-state institutions. Program and admissions requirements vary from college-to-college. For example, the University of Washington requires two quarters of world language for admission, three quarters to graduate. Contact an advisor to create an educational plan tailored to transfer to the institution of your choice.

Additional Information

Learn more about the Transfer process, Transfer agreements, and Bachelor’s degrees including transferring to top universities around the state and nation, such as Historically Black Universities and Colleges.