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:

  1. Describe physical phenomena in multiple forms (verbal, pictorial, graphical and mathematical).
  2. Qualitatively and quantitatively predict, analyze and/or explain the behavior of physical systems using fundamental physical principles and models.
  3. Develop and implement a plan of experimental measurements and data analysis.

Students receiving this degree must meet the following requirements:

  1. 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.
  2. Complete with a “C” or better each course as specified by the major.
  3. Maintain an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better in all degree applicable coursework.
  4. Meet the local area requirement of Kinesiology/Dance.
Required courses:
CHEM 111General Chemistry I5
MATH 190Calculus with Analytic Geometry l5
PHYS 201Physics A: Mechanics5
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 II5
Chemistry area of emphasis - select eight (8) to ten (10) units from the following courses: 1
Organic Chemistry A3
Organic Chemistry A Laboratory1
Organic Chemistry B3
Organic Chemistry B Laboratory1
Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism5
Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics5
Geology/Earth Science area of emphasis - required courses:
Physical Geology4
Earth History3
Geology/Earth Science area of emphasis - select six (6) to eight (8) units from the following courses:
General Chemistry II5
Natural Disasters3
Physical Oceanography3
Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism5
Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics5
Total Units28-30
1

Students should consult their transfer institution regarding the transferability of the Organic Chemistry Sequence (CHEM 210 Organic Chemistry A, CHEM 211L Organic Chemistry A Laboratory, CHEM 220 Organic Chemistry B, AND CHEM 221L Organic Chemistry B Laboratory) as lower division.

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:

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
CHEM 110 Beginning General Chemistry 5
MATH 175 Pre-Calculus 6
ENGL 101
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
 Units18
Winter Term 1
SPCH 100
Interpersonal Communication
or Interpersonal Communication - Honors
or Public Address
or Public Address - Honors
or Small Group Communication
3
 Units3
Spring Term 1
MATH 190 Calculus with Analytic Geometry l 5
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5
ENGL 104
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
 Units16
Summer Term 1
POLI 103
American Government and Politics
or American Government and Politics - Honors
3
 Units3
Fall Term 2
MATH 191 Calculus with Analytic Geometry ll 5
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 5
PHYS 201
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
 Units18
Spring Term 2
CHEM 210 Organic Chemistry A 3
CHEM 211L Organic Chemistry A Laboratory 1
ETHN 101
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
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
 Units18
 Total Units76

Chemistry Emphasis 3-Year Map:

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
CHEM 110 Beginning General Chemistry 5
MATH 175 Pre-Calculus 6
ENGL 101
Reading and Composition
or Reading and Composition - Honors
4
 Units15
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
 Units3
Spring Term 1
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5
MATH 190 Calculus with Analytic Geometry l 5
ENGL 104
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking
or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors
3
 Units13
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
 Units3
Fall Term 2
MATH 191 Calculus with Analytic Geometry ll 5
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 5
PHYS 201
Physics A: Mechanics
or Physics A: Mechanics - Honors
5
 Units15
Winter Term 2
SPCH 100
Interpersonal Communication
or Interpersonal Communication - Honors
or Public Address
or Public Address - Honors
or Small Group Communication
3
 Units3
Spring Term 2
MATH 210 Calculus with Analytic Geometry lll 5
PHYS 202
Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism
or Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics
5
 Units10
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
 Units3
Fall Term 3
CHEM 210 Organic Chemistry A 3
CHEM 211L Organic Chemistry A Laboratory 1
MATH 211 Differential Equations 5
PHYS 202
Physics B: Thermodynamics and Electromagnetism
or Physics C: Waves, Optics & Modern Physics
5
 Units14
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
American Government and Politics
or American Government and Politics - Honors
3
 Units6
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
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies
3
 Units10
 Total Units95

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.