Physics Associate of Science
Program Description
This program is designed for students transferring to a four-year school to complete their BS or BA degree in Physics. It allows them to complete the first two years of the degree prior to transferring. Students explore advanced applied Physics and Calculus. 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 and it leads to careers in a variety of industries. The Physics degree program at FRCC provides the necessary background for transfer to a four-year university.
Learn more about this program.
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AS degree in 4 semesters (2 years).
There are multiple ways to pursue a degree in Physics. It is very important to work with your Academic Advisor to develop the best academic plan for where you are starting and where you are hoping to transfer.
For students who want to complete a degree in Physics and are College Chemistry and Calculus ready, the AS in Physics is the most direct path to a Bachelor’s degree in this field. It is recommended that you meet with your advisor before selecting a pathway in Physics. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
First Semester
| MAT 2410 | Calculus I: GT-MA1 | 5 |
| CHE 1111 | General College Chemistry I w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Second Semester
| PHY 2111 | Physics: Calculus-Based I w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| MAT 2420 | Calculus II: GT-MA1 | 5 |
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavior Sciences (GT-SS) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Third Semester
| PHY 2112 | Physics: Calculus-Based II w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| MAT 2430 or MAT 2431 | Calculus III (2430) or Calculus III w/ Engineering Apps (2431) | 4 |
| CSC 1060 or CHE 1112 | Computer Science I: Language (CSC 1060) or General College Chemistry II w/Lab (CHE 1112) | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Fourth Semester
| PHY 2113 | Physics III: Calculus-Based Modern | 3 |
| MAT 2560 or MAT 2561 or MAT 2562 | Differential Equations (MAT 2560) or Diff Eq/Engineering App (MAT 2561) or Diff Eq/Linear Algebra (MAT 2562). Prefer: MAT 2562 | 3 |
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| GT- HI1 | Any History (GT-HI1). Prefer: Western Civ: Antiquity-1650 (HIS 1310), U.S. History Since Civil War (HIS 1220), Colorado History (HIS 2135), Western Civ: 1650-Present (HIS 1320), U.S. History to Reconstruction (HIS 1210), or 20th Century World History (HIS 2015) | 3 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavior Sciences (GT-SS) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AS degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
| MAT 2410 | Calculus I: GT-MA1 | 5 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Spring Semester 2
| MAT 2420 | Calculus II: GT-MA1 | 5 |
| PHY 2111 | Physics: Calculus-Based I w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Summer Semester 3
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 4
| PHY 2112 | Physics: Calculus-Based II w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| MAT 2430 or MAT 2431 | Calculus III (2430) or Calculus III w/ Engineering Apps (2431) | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 5
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| CHE 1111 | General College Chemistry I w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Summer Semester 6
| GT- AH | Any Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 7
| CSC 1060 or CHE 1112 | Computer Science I: Language (CSC 1060) or General College Chemistry II w/Lab (CHE 1112) | 4 |
| MAT 2560 or MAT 2561 or MAT 2562 | Differential Equations (MAT 2560) or Diff Eq/Engineering App (MAT 2561) or Diff Eq/Linear Algebra (MAT 2562). Prefer: MAT 2562 | 3 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavior Sciences (GT-SS) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Semester Note: Campus offerings vary by semester for PHY 2113 and MAT 2562. You must take BOTH PHY 2113 and MAT 2562 to successfully complete the AS degree in Physics. You are encouraged to register for these courses in accord with your preferred campus as soon as the course prerequisites have been met.
Spring Semester 8
| PHY 2113 | Physics III: Calculus-Based Modern | 3 |
| GT- SS | Any Social & Behavior Sciences (GT-SS) | 3 |
| GT- HI1 | Any History (GT-HI1). Prefer: Western Civ: Antiquity-1650 (HIS 1310), U.S. History Since Civil War (HIS 1220), Colorado History (HIS 2135), Western Civ: 1650-Present (HIS 1320), U.S. History to Reconstruction (HIS 1210), or 20th Century World History (HIS 2015) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Note: Campus offerings vary by semester for PHY 2113 and MAT 2562. You must take BOTH PHY 2113 and MAT 2562 to successfully complete the AS degree in Physics. You are encouraged to register for these courses in accord with your preferred campus as soon as the course prerequisites have been met.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Prior Learning eligible course
• Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning
• View all eligible courses
Important Program Notes:
Semester Note: Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), you may complete ENG 1021 (GT-CO1) and ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) OR ENG 1022 (GT-CO2) and gtPathways-approved CO3 course (GT-CO3).
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), if PHY 2113, MAT 2420, MAT 2430 or MAT 2431, MAT 2562, CHE 1111, or CSC 1060 or CHE 1112 credits are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the Bachelor's degree as elective credits toward graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.
Per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement (STAA), students planning to transfer to the University of Colorado Boulder or to the University of Northern Colorado must take CSC 1060 (not CHE 1112) to fulfill this requirement (Additional Required Courses). Students planning to transfer to Fort Lewis College or to the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs must take both CSC 1060 and CHE 1112. Students planning to transfer to a receiving institution not specifically listed here, may choose either one of these courses (CHE 1112 or CSC 1060).
If you take more credits in Mathematics than are listed, 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.
You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.