Physics

Associate of Science Degree with Designation

Recommended basic skills standards are

Physics is concerned with the nature of energy and matter, space and time. The laws of physics govern everything in the universe from the tiniest bit of matter to the largest star. Physics is a prerequisite to any in-depth study of the sciences and technologies. It leads to careers in engineering, astronomy, astronautics, medical research, geophysics, meteorology, and biophysics. This program provides the necessary background for transfer to a four-year school.

Courses marked with an asterisk [*] are not currently offered at PPCC.

Content criteria, competencies, and student learning outcomes associated with the general education courses required for this degree can be found on the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.

Written Communication

Six (6) credit hours

ENG 121

English Composition I: CO1

3

ENG 122

English Composition II: CO2

3

OR

 

 

ENG 122

English Composition II: CO2

(3)

ENG 201

English Composition III: CO3

(3)

or

 

 

HIS 265

Writing About History: CO3

(3)

Mathematics

Five (5) credit hours

MAT 201

Calculus I: MA1

5

Arts and Humanities

Nine (9) credit hours. Full list of requirements.

  • GT - Two GT Pathways Arts and Humanities courses (AH1, AH2, AH3, AH4)

History

Three (3) credit hours. Full list of requirements.

  • GT - One GT Pathways History course (HI1)

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Three (3) credit hours. Full list of requirements.

  • GT - One GT Pathways Social and Behavioral Sciences course (SS1, SS2, SS3)

Natural and Physical Sciences

Ten (10) credit hours

PHY 211

Physics: Calculus-Based I w/Lab: SC1

5

PHY 212

Physics: Calculus-Based II w/Lab: SC1

5

Additional Required Courses

Twenty-four (24) credit hours

Please note: if these credits are not required for the major at a receiving four-year institution, they will be applied to the Bachelor’s degree as elective credit towards graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.

CHE 111

General College Chemistry I w/Lab: SC1

5

CSC 160

Computer Science I: (Language)

4

or

 

 

CHE 112

General College Chemistry II w/Lab: SC1

(5)

MAT 202

Calculus II: MA1

5

MAT 203

Calculus III: MA1

4

or

 

 

MAT 204

Calculus III with Engineering Applications: MA1

(5)

MAT 261*

Differential Equations with Engineering Applications: MA1

4

or

 

 

MAT 265

Differential Equations: MA1

(3)

or

 

 

MAT 266*

Differential Equations with Linear Algebra

(4)

PHY 213*

Physics III: Calculus Based Modern Physics

3

PLEASE BE ADVISED: If you choose to take one of these courses (MAT 204, MAT 261*, MAT 266*), it will put you over 60 credits. The courses will transfer but the extra credits may not. That is, the receiving institution may still require the completion of 60 credits for the major.

  • Students planning to transfer to University of Colorado Boulder must take CHE 112 (not CSC 160) to fulfill this requirement.
  • Students planning to transfer to University of Northern Colorado must take CSC 160 (not CHE 112) to fulfill this requirement.
  • Students planning to transfer to Fort Lewis College or University of Colorado, Colorado Springs must take both CSC 160 and CHE 112.
  • Students planning to transfer to a receiving institution not listed here may choose either one of these courses

Total Credit Hours

60

Additional information available on the Physics Department website at www.ppcc.edu/degrees-certificates/physics.