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Physics

The science of everything!

Have you ever wondered how everything in nature is beautifully connected from the smallest particles to the entire universe? Have you asked yourself why the universe behaves the way it does? What is responsible for the motion of everything from atomic scale to celestial bodies like the stars and planets?

Physics is the study of matter and how matter interacts with its physical environment. It involves the understanding and application of laws of nature that govern such interactions. For instance, when an apple falls from a tree to the ground, we ask basic questions such as, how did it fall? How fast was it falling? or how hard did it fall and where did its energy go after interacting with the ground? When such questions are answered completely with appropriate mathematical modeling, our basic understanding of our physical universe becomes complete. Physics helps us explore and explain how matter behaves through space and time along with other related concepts such as forces and energy.

We offer classes for science and non-science students. Topics covered include mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, fluids, and thermodynamics as well as the quantitative and experimental skills necessary.

With a Physics background, a student can pursue careers in research and development, science, engineering, technology, health fields, education, law, business, military, and many others. This thus leads to considerably varied opportunities in both public and private sectors.

So, welcome aboard as our experienced physics faculty members will help you unveil the mysteries of the universe beyond the frontiers of our knowledge.

Spokane Community College believes that you should graduate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that further your educational goals, increasing your value in the workforce and contributing to a vibrant community.
 
Our AA-DTA degree program learning outcomes align to our five College-Wide Key Literacies.

Applied Content Literacy
Students will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in all transfer distribution areas or program elements/areas. Students will build a foundation of information relevant to their program or focus of study while increasing knowledge and competency in their chosen field.

Communication Literacy
Students will develop the ability to create meaning and make connections between themselves and their audience, incorporating awareness of the social nature of communication, including, but not limited to, the impact of ethnicity, age, culture, gender, sexual orientation, and ability on communication styles and results. Students will learn to listen, read, speak, and write effectively using a variety of mediums and modalities.

Information Literacy
Students will develop knowledge and abilities allowing them to identify, locate, and evaluate information pertaining to the problem under consideration. Students will learn how to responsibly research, use, share, and produce accurate, relevant information gleaned through skilled research methods.

Intercultural Literacy
Students will develop an intersectional understanding of modern social realities, which will help enable effective participation and communication in cross-cultural professional, academic, and social settings. This may include, but is not limited to, biological sex, gender identity, socio-economic status, race, sexual orientation, religion, country and culture of origin, and political stance.

Quantitative Literacy
Students will develop and expand the ability to understand numeric information through the gathering, examination, modeling, manipulation, analysis, interpretation, and representation of quantitative and/or scientific data.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Prepare for College-level Math

Math placement is required for this program. If your math placement is below MATH& 254, you’ll need to take the following sequence of courses, starting from the level you placed into:
AE 48 → AE 68 → MATH 71 → MATH 72 → MATH& 141 → MATH& 142 → MATH&151 → MATH& 152 → MATH& 153 → MATH& 254

Prepare for College-level English

English placement is required for this program. If your English placement is below ENGL& 101, you’ll need to take following sequence of courses, starting from the level you placed into:
AE 36 → AE 46 and 47 (taken together) → AE 67 → ENGL 99 → ENGL& 101 → ENGL& 102

The AS-T2 Pathway for Physics is designed to prepare students for upper divsion study in the areas of engineering, computer science, physics, and atmospheric science. Completing the AS-T2 degree will prepare students for upper division study it does not guarantee students admission to any specific institution or program. It is designed to transfer to degrees at all public and many private Washington four–year institutions offering majors in engineering, computer science, physics, and atmospheric sciences. A candidate for the AS-T2 degree must complete 93 quarter credits in academic courses numbered 100 and above with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and meet specific distribution requirements. Please note which classes have the W/Writing Intensive designation and/or D/Diversity designation at the time of enrollment to ensure those requirements have been satisfied.

Students are recommended to meet with a counselor to select the course options that best align with potential transfer institutions to ensure specific courses in each area satisfy admission requirements for the receiving school and major. Students must satisfy all graduation requirements at Spokane Community College and apply to graduate to receive a diploma.

Please refer to the AS-T 2 transfer worksheet for a complete list of course options and distribution area requirements or meet with a counselor to learn more about your options and requirements. Together you can create a plan to graduate from SCC fully prepared to meet your goals.

The curriculum below has been selected by our Physics faculty to provide a balanced and focused education for students planning to continue their education by transferring to four-year institution major ready. 

Program Map for

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Choose program map:

Total Program Credits: 93


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CHEM&161
General Chemistry with Lab I   1
5
ENGL&101
English Composition I  
5
GUID 102
Strategies for Success  
3
MATH&151
Calculus I   2
5
Total Credits
 
18

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MATH&152
Calculus II  
5
 
II. Humanities/Social Sciences Group A  
5
 
V. Electives  
5
Total Credits
 
15
II. Humanities/Social Sciences Group A: Choose 5 credits II. Humanities/Social Sciences Group A: Choose 5 credits  
CMST 226
Gender Communication   3
5
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication   3
5
V. Electives: Choose 5 credits V. Electives: Choose 5 credits  
ASTR&101
Intro to Astronomy   4
5
BIOL&222
Majors Cell/Molecular: w/Lab  
5
CHEM&162
General Chem w/ Lab II  
5
CHEM&163
General Chem w/ Lab III  
5
GEOL&101
Intro Physical Geology   5
5

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MATH&153
Calculus III  
5
PHIL 110
Introduction to Ethics  
5
 
V. Electives  
5
Total Credits
 
15
V. Electives: Choose 5 credits V. Electives: Choose 5 credits  
ASTR&101
Intro to Astronomy   4
5
BIOL&222
Majors Cell/Molecular: w/Lab  
5
CHEM&162
General Chem w/ Lab II  
5
CHEM&163
General Chem w/ Lab III  
5
GEOL&101
Intro Physical Geology   5
5

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MATH 274
Elementary Differential Equations  
5
PHYS 201
Engineering Physics I  
5
 
II. Humanities/ Social Science Group B  
5
Total Credits
 
15
II. Humanities/ Social Science Group B: Choose 5 credits II. Humanities/ Social Science Group B: Choose 5 credits  
ANTH&100
Survey of Anthropology  
5
ECON&202
Macro Economics  
5
POLS 125
Introduction to Global Issues  
5
PSYC&100
General Psychology  
5
SOC& 101
Intro to Sociology  
5

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
BIOL&223
Majors Organismal Physiology with Lab  
5
HIST&136
US History 1  
5
PHYS 202
Engineering Physics II  
5
Total Credits
 
15

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MATH 220
Elementary Linear Algebra  
5
MATH&254
Calculus IV  
5
PHYS 203
Engineering Physics III  
5
Total Credits
 
15

II. Humanities/ Social Science Group B  

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ANTH&100
Survey of Anthropology  
5
ECON&202
Macro Economics  
5
POLS 125
Introduction to Global Issues  
5
PSYC&100
General Psychology  
5
SOC& 101
Intro to Sociology  
5

II. Humanities/Social Sciences Group A  

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CMST 226
Gender Communication   3
5
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication   3
5

V. Electives  

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ASTR&101
Intro to Astronomy   4
5
BIOL&222
Majors Cell/Molecular: w/Lab  
5
CHEM&162
General Chem w/ Lab II  
5
CHEM&163
General Chem w/ Lab III  
5
GEOL&101
Intro Physical Geology   5
5
1 Prequsite students must be currently enrolled in or completed MATH& 141 or higher or instructor permission.
2 Prerequisite MATH& 142 with a 2.0 or better within the last three years or appropriate placement score.
3 Satisfies Spokane Colleges and Eastern Washington University's diversity (D) requirement.
4 Credit will not be granted for both ASTR& 101 and ASTR& 100.
5 Credit will not be granted for both GEOL& 101 and GEOL& 100.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Total Costs
$
$
$

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Holly Campbell

Science Department Chair
Holly.Campbell@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7245