A.S. in Physical Science
Physical science is a branch of science which focuses on the study of non-living systems. The Associate in Science in Physical Science is designed to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions as majors in chemistry, Earth science/geology or related science disciplines.
A.S. Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Physical Science A.S. Degree will:
- Describe physical phenomena in multiple forms (verbal, pictorial, graphical and mathematical).
- Qualitatively and quantitatively predict, analyze and/or explain the behavior of physical systems using fundamental physical principles and models.
- Develop and implement a plan of experimental measurements and data analysis.
Students receiving this degree must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the District General Education Pattern, CSUGE or IGETC.
If transferring to a CSU or UC students are strongly recommended to complete the CSUGE or IGETC General Education Patterns. Students looking to transfer to an out of state or private college should consult with a counselor for the appropriate GE pattern selection. - Complete with a “C” or better each course as specified by the major.
- Maintain an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better in all degree applicable coursework.
- Meet the local area requirement of Kinesiology/Dance.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| MATH 190 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry l | 5 |
| PHYS 201 | Physics A: Mechanics | 5 |
| Areas of Emphasis | ||
| Select one of the following areas of emphasis - Chemistry or Geology/Earth Science - and complete all required courses and electives within that area: | ||
| Chemistry area of emphasis - required courses: | ||
| General Chemistry II | 5 | |
| Chemistry area of emphasis - select eight (8) to ten (10) units from the following courses: 1 | ||
| Organic Chemistry A | 3 | |
| Organic Chemistry A Laboratory | 1 | |
| Organic Chemistry B | 3 | |
| Organic Chemistry B Laboratory | 1 | |
| Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism | 5 | |
| Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics | 5 | |
| Geology/Earth Science area of emphasis - required courses: | ||
| Physical Geology | 4 | |
| Earth History | 3 | |
| Geology/Earth Science area of emphasis - select six (6) to eight (8) units from the following courses: | ||
| General Chemistry II | 5 | |
| Natural Disasters | 3 | |
| Physical Oceanography | 3 | |
| Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism | 5 | |
| Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics | 5 | |
| Total Units | 28-30 | |
2- and 3- Year Curriculum Map Examples
These maps represent three possible pathways through the program and are only for reference.
*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.
Note: Co-requisite MATH course (2 units) and/or substitute ENGL 101E (5 units) may be needed based on placement.
Chemistry Emphasis 2-Year Map:
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 110 | Beginning General Chemistry | 5 |
| MATH 175 | Pre-Calculus | 6 |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H |
Reading and Composition or Reading and Composition - Honors |
4 |
| KIN 170 |
Fitness for Life or Health and Wellness in Society or Health and Wellness - Honors or Introduction to Nutrition |
3 |
| Units | 18 | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| SPCH 100 |
Interpersonal Communication or Interpersonal Communication - Honors or Public Address or Public Address - Honors or Small Group Communication |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| MATH 190 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry l | 5 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| ENGL 104 or ENGL 104H |
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors |
3 |
| ARCH 250 |
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art or History of Photography or Introduction to the Visual Arts or Motion Picture Appreciation or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors or History of Dance or History of Rock and Roll or Introduction to Theatre Arts or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| POLI 103 or POLI 103H |
American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| MATH 191 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry ll | 5 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| PHYS 201 or PHYS 201H |
Physics A: Mechanics or Physics A: Mechanics - Honors |
5 |
| ARCH 250 |
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art or History of Photography or Introduction to the Visual Arts or Motion Picture Appreciation or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors or History of Dance or Ethnic Voices in Film or Children's Literature or Children's Literature - Honors or Literature of the Bible or American Food And Culture: Global Origins, History, and Current Impacts or History of Rock and Roll or Great Religions of the World or Introduction to LGBTQ Studies or Introduction to Theatre Arts or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 18 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry A | 3 |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry A Laboratory | 1 |
| ETHN 101 or ETHN 116 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies |
3 |
| HIST 107 |
History of the United States before 1877 or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors or History of the United States since 1877 or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors or History of Women in the United States |
3 |
| PHYS 202 or PHYS 203 |
Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism or Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics |
5 |
| ANTH 210 |
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors or Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Psychology - Honors or Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Sociology - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 18 | |
| Total Units | 76 | |
Chemistry Emphasis 3-Year Map:
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 110 | Beginning General Chemistry | 5 |
| MATH 175 | Pre-Calculus | 6 |
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H |
Reading and Composition or Reading and Composition - Honors |
4 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| ARCH 250 |
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art or History of Photography or Introduction to the Visual Arts or Motion Picture Appreciation or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors or History of Dance or History of Rock and Roll or Introduction to Theatre Arts or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| MATH 190 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry l | 5 |
| ENGL 104 or ENGL 104H |
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| ANTH 210 |
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors or Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Psychology - Honors or Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Sociology - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| MATH 191 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry ll | 5 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| PHYS 201 or PHYS 201H |
Physics A: Mechanics or Physics A: Mechanics - Honors |
5 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Winter Term 2 | ||
| SPCH 100 |
Interpersonal Communication or Interpersonal Communication - Honors or Public Address or Public Address - Honors or Small Group Communication |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| MATH 210 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry lll | 5 |
| PHYS 202 or PHYS 203 |
Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism or Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics |
5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Summer Term 2 | ||
| ARCH 250 |
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art or History of Photography or Introduction to the Visual Arts or Motion Picture Appreciation or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors or History of Dance or Ethnic Voices in Film or Children's Literature or Children's Literature - Honors or Literature of the Bible or American Food And Culture: Global Origins, History, and Current Impacts or History of Rock and Roll or Great Religions of the World or Introduction to LGBTQ Studies or Introduction to Theatre Arts or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall Term 3 | ||
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry A | 3 |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry A Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 211 | Differential Equations | 5 |
| PHYS 202 or PHYS 203 |
Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism or Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics |
5 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Winter Term 3 | ||
| HIST 107 |
History of the United States before 1877 or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors or History of the United States since 1877 or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors or History of Women in the United States |
3 |
| POLI 103 or POLI 103H |
American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Spring Term 3 | ||
| CHEM 220 | Organic Chemistry B | 3 |
| CHEM 221L | Organic Chemistry B Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 108 |
Biology of Cancer or Biology of Infectious Diseases or Environmental Science |
3 |
| ETHN 101 or ETHN 116 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies |
3 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Total Units | 95 | |
Career Opportunities
There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.
To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.