2024-2025 Catalog 
  
    Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog

Natural Sciences or Mathematics AS: Physics Option


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Code: AS.NSM.PHYSC

The Physics option is designed to give students who have the desire and drive to explore the universe, the background that four-year colleges require for their own undergraduate preparation. Physics is the study of all physical phenomena and utilizes skills such as mathematics, analysis, software, and clear communications. It explores questions like how did the universe start? How will it end? What is a black hole? Is time travel possible?

The Physics option is designed to give students who have the desire and drive to explore the universe, the background that four-year colleges require for their own undergraduate preparation.  Physics is the study of all physical phenomena and utilizes skills such as mathematics, analysis, software, and clear communications.  It explores questions like how did the universe start? How will it end? What is a black hole? Is time travel possible?   

Physics graduates find employment in occupations such as research, medicine, software design, and even finance.  Physicists are found in many fields of study including Research and Development, Aerospace and Defense, Design and Production, Medical Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Geophysics, Meteorology, and education.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  1. Students will be able to describe physics concepts by utilizing proper terminology and nomenclature, create accurate sketches and diagrams, and demonstrate clear scientific writing to describe the principles of physics.
  2. Students will be able to employ logical reasoning in physics problem-solving by using appropriate mathematics to create physical models, solve problems, interpret solutions qualitatively and quantitatively, create accurate diagrams, and perform correct unit analyses.
  3. Students will be able to demonstrate technical and analytical skills in the physics laboratory by utilizing proper and safe use of laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and software to acquire data, identify reputable sources of information, determine the magnitude and sources of error that affect the accuracy and precision of experimental results, and communicate experimental results using clear scientific language, verbally and in writing.

RECOMMENDED SEMESTER SEQUENCE


First Semester


Subtotal: 14 Credits


Second Semester


Subtotal: 17 Credits


Third Semester


Subtotal: 15 Credits


PHY-291  Offered only in fall semesters.

Fourth Semester


Subtotal: 14 Credits


GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS


Subtotal: 9 Credits


Humanities Electives


  • Two (2) general education courses selected from the following fields: Arts (Art [ART], Music [MUS], Theatre Arts [THR], Cinema Studies [CIN]); History (HIS); Interdisciplinary (WGS); Literature (LIT); Philosophy and Religion (PHR); World Languages and Cultures (LAN).
  • With no more than one course in any one field.

Subtotal: 6 Credits


Social Science Elective


One general education course selected from the following fields: Economics (ECO); Geography (GEO); Political Science (POL); Psychology (PSY); Sociology (SOC) and Anthropology (ANT).

Subtotal: 3 Credits


Mathematics, Natural Science, and Technology


Subtotal: 12 Credits


Subtotal: 30


PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS


Total Credit Hours: 60


Specific Program Notes

Students are encouraged to take their courses in semester sequence order.

Please note that required courses may have prerequisites. Click on each course to view details.

* General Education Elective(s) 

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