General Physics

About the Program

Program Goal: Local

GE Pattern(s): Butte Local, Cal-GETC

Program Code: 01357.01AS

This program meets the lower division major preparation for the General Physics degree pattern at CSU, Chico. Visit website for details www.assist.org

The Associate in Science in General Physics is intended for students who plan to continue on to a University and major in Physics or related discipline. Students who successfully complete this pattern may transfer into the General Physics program at Chico State or transfer into the discipline representing the breadth choice for the degree. Physics is the fundamental study of the relationships that exist among time, space, motion, matter and energy that serves as both a living and evolving record of humanity's understanding of the physical universe from the sub-atomic to the super-galactic as well as a coherent, time-tested compendium of strategies for mathematically modeling and analyzing physical systems. Preparation in the physics discipline may also prepare students for multidisciplinary investigations or to enter into other disciplines very prepared to succeed.

Roughly 50% of students who receive physics bachelor's degrees go directly into the workforce after graduation while the rest continue onto graduate school (which is often tuition free for US citizens). Physics bachelor degree careers are wide ranging and include High School Physics Teachers, Government Funded Laboratory technicians and Private Sector jobs often working the same computer science and engineering jobs as graduates in those fields with average salaries markedly above jobs from non-technical fields. Students are encouraged to contact one of our 4 full-time physics instructors to discuss possible futures in physics. Physics is an abstract and mathematically demanding field. Beginning the AS Degree requires the student have the required prerequisites to enter into college level calculus. Many students have begun focused math studies well below calculus-level at Butte College, succeeded in physics and been successful in receiving advanced degrees.

Program Learning Outcome(s): Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate basic experimental knowledge through data gathering, judging the accuracy and reliability of data, creating informative graphs, and discussing the limitations of experimental designs.
2. Demonstrate basic analytical skills by interpreting graphs and schematics and diagnosing realistic physical problems.
3. Demonstrate conceptual understanding by being able to describe qualitatively the underlying causes of basic physical phenomena.
4. Respectfully and ethically collaborate with people in other disciplines from disparate backgrounds.