;
Contents

Physical Science - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

An Arts and Sciences Area of Study

Application Code 50

For curriculum information, contact the Science, Engineering, and Technology Division—Room ST-248—443-518-1600.

This curriculum is designed to provide the academic foundation needed by students who are planning to major in the physical sciences; physical scientists are employed in government, industry, and academia. Fields of specialization within the physical sciences include astronomy, chemistry, geology, meteorology, physics, lab technicians (B.S.), technical writing, and secondary and college teaching. This area of study provides a strong mathematics background and emphasis on the ability to apply theory to solve problems. Emphasis is also on laboratory techniques, how to operate laboratory equipment, and collecting and interpreting data to identify unknown substances. Students are advised to consult with an academic advisor and to research the entrance requirements for the colleges/universities to which they intend to apply.

Suggested Semester 1

Course NumberTitleCredits
ENGL 121College Composition

3
CHEM 101General Inorganic Chemistry I

4
MATH 181Calculus I

4
or higher core course
PHYS 110General Physics I (Calculus)

4

Suggested Semester 2

Course NumberTitleCredits
MATH 182Calculus II

4
PHYS 111General Physics II (Calculus)

4
Gen Ed Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Core Group A

3
Elective Elective*

4

Suggested Semester 3

Course NumberTitleCredits
Gen Ed Core Arts & Humanities Core Group A

3
Gen Ed Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Core Group B

3
Ethics Elective Ethics Elective

3
Elective Electives*

7

Suggested Semester 4

Course NumberTitleCredits
Gen Ed Core Arts & Humanities Core Group B

3
Core Elective Any General Education Core Course

3
Elective Electives*

8

*Electives - Select from the following:

Courses are grouped into three areas, but students are free to select from any of the three areas.

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Course NumberTitleCredits
BIOL 101General Biology I

4
BIOL 201Genetics

3
BIOL 202Genetics Laboratory

1
CHEM 102General Inorganic Chemistry II

4
CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I

4
CHEM 202Organic Chemistry II

4
ENST 105Environmental Science

3
ENST 115Environmental Science Laboratory

1
GEOL 107Introduction to Physical Geology

3
GEOL 117Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory

1
MATH 182Calculus II

4
PHYS 120Oceanography

3
PHYS 121Oceanography Laboratory

1

Geology

Course NumberTitleCredits
ASTR 104Elementary Astronomy

3
ASTR 114Elementary Astronomy Laboratory

1
CADD 108Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

3
CHEM 102General Inorganic Chemistry II

4
ENST 105Environmental Science

3
ENST 115Environmental Science Laboratory

1
ENST 200Fundamentals of Soil Science

4
GEOL 107Introduction to Physical Geology

3
GEOL 117Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory

1
GEOL 108Historical Geology

3
GEOL 118Historical Geology Laboratory

1
METO 111Meteorology

3
METO 112Meteorology Laboratory

1
PHYS 120Oceanography

3
PHYS 121Oceanography Laboratory

1

Physics and Astronomy

Course NumberTitleCredits
ASTR 104Elementary Astronomy

3
ASTR 114Elementary Astronomy Laboratory

1
CMSY 121Structured Logic and Program Design

3
OR
CMSY 141Computer Science I

4
ENES 100Introduction to Engineering Design

3
ENES 271Introduction to Matlab

3
GEOL 107Introduction to Physical Geology

3
GEOL 117Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory

1
MATH 220Discrete Structures

3
MATH 240Calculus III

4
MATH 260Differential Equations

3
METO 111Meteorology

3
METO 112Meteorology Laboratory

1
PHYS 112General Physics III (Calculus)

3

A graduate should be able to

  1. 1. Communicate scientific principles and ideas effectively.
  2. 2. Use appropriate scientific principles and qualitative and mathematical techniques, as appropriate, to solve problems pertaining to the physical sciences.
  3. 3. Analyze and interpret data.
  4. 4. Identify, apply, and evaluate ethical reasoning.

Total Credit Hours: 60