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Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Building

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.

General Education Core

Students enrolled in transfer patterns must take a minimum of 30 credits in General Education. Each student’s total of general education and required courses must equal at least 60 semester hours of credit.

English Composition

Course NumberTitleCredits
ENGL-121College Composition

3

Arts & Humanities

Course NumberTitleCredits
-Arts & Humanities Core Group A

3

-Arts & Humanities Core Group B

3

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Course NumberTitleCredits
-Social & Behavioral Sciences Core Group A

3

-Social & Behavioral Sciences Core Group B

3

Biological & Physical Sciences

Course NumberTitleCredits
CHEM-101General Inorganic Chemistry I

4

PHYS-110General Physics I (Calculus)

4

Mathematics

Course NumberTitleCredits
MATH-181Calculus I

4

-or higher core course

Core Electives

Course NumberTitleCredits
-Any General Education Core Course

3

Required Courses Related to Major

Course NumberTitleCredits
MATH-182Calculus II

4

PHYS-111General Physics II (Calculus)

4

Ethics-Ethics Elective

3

-Additional Courses in Major*

19

*Students will choose a minimum of 19 credits from the courses listed below according to their specific area of interest. The courses are grouped into three areas, but students are free to select a minimum of 19 credits from any of the three areas.

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Course NumberTitleCredits
BIOL-101General Biology I

4

BIOL-201Genetics

3

BIOL-202Genetics Lab

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 Lab

1

MATH-182Calculus II

4

PHYS-120Oceanography

3

PHYS-121Oceanography Laboratory

1

Geology

Course NumberTitleCredits
ASTR-104Elementary Astronomy

3

ASTR-114Elementary Astronomy Lab

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 Lab

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 Lab

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 Lab

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