Physics Associate in Science Degree for Transfer

Related Degrees & Certificates

Program	Units
AS Associate in Science Degree Program
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 completing this program will be able to:

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.

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.

Recommended high school preparation

Coursework in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, English

University Transfer Program

Meet with a CSM counselor to discuss how to achieve academic goals and to develop a comprehensive student educational plan (SEP).

University Transfer Program
60 – 70 transferable units

California State University
University of California
Independent Colleges and Universities

Meet with a CSM counselor to discuss how to achieve academic goals and to develop a comprehensive student educational plan (SEP).

University Transfer Program
60 – 70 transferable units

California State University
University of California
Independent Colleges and Universities

Program Overview

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Required Core Courses: 27 units		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
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

Additional recommended preparation chosen from the following courses. (While these additional courses are not required for this degree, completion of these courses will better prepare students for upper division Physics courses at a CSU):		Units
MATH 270	Linear Algebra	3 units
MATH 275	Ordinary Differential Equations	3 units
CHEM 210	General Chemistry I	5 units
	AND
CHEM 220	General Chemistry II	5 units
One course in computer programming		4 units

Total Required Major Units: 27

General Education - certified completion of one of the following:

California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE Breadth),
OR
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC/CSU) pattern

Elective courses: If applicable, additional courses to meet the minimum 60 CSU transferable units requirement.

Please refer to Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Requirements for more information.