Physics Associate in Science Degree Program

Related Degrees & Certificates

Program	Units
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 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

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		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:		Units
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

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.