Academic Catalog

Physics

Program Description

Physics, the fundamental science, conceptualizes the basic principles of the universe and establishes the foundation for astronomy, chemistry, and geology. The beauty of physics lies in a small number of powerful concepts which expand our view of the world around us and which lead to many engineering applications from which we derive many benefits.

Learn more about this program on the Physics website.

Associate Degree for Transfer

This program also offers an Associate Degree for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the Physics AS-T listing.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Students will know basic physics principles.
  • Students will be able to apply their knowledge to practical, theoretical, and experimental problems.
  • Students will be prepared to advance to the next step in careers in science, industry, and education.

Award Type(s)

  • AS = Associate in Science Degree

Units Required

  • Major: 64

Additional Information

Suggested Preparatory Courses for Degree:

PHYS 2AGENERAL PHYSICS5
or PHYS 6 INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS
or equivalent
CHEM 25FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY (or equivalent)5

Associate Degree Requirements

English Proficiency
Select one of the following:
ENGL 1ACOMPOSITION & READING5
ENGL 1AHHONORS COMPOSITION & READING5
ESLL 26ADVANCED COMPOSITION & READING5
or equivalent
Ethnic Studies
Any course in the ETHN (Ethnic Studies) subject code, currently approved for Area F of CSU GE and Area 7 of IGETC
Mathematics Proficiency
College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra

A minimum of 90 units is required1 to include:

  • Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • Core courses (64 units)
1

Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.


Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core courses used for the degree.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses
CHEM 1AGENERAL CHEMISTRY5
CHEM 1BGENERAL CHEMISTRY5
MATH 1ACALCULUS5
or MATH 1AH HONORS CALCULUS I
MATH 1BCALCULUS5
or MATH 1BH HONORS CALCULUS II
MATH 1CCALCULUS5
MATH 1DCALCULUS5
MATH 2ADIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS5
MATH 2BLINEAR ALGEBRA5
PHYS 4AGENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS)6
PHYS 4BGENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS)6
PHYS 4CGENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS)6
PHYS 4DGENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS)6
Total Units64