About the Program
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 Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2023-2024Program Code: 01357.01AS
Type: Local
General Education: Butte Local
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Demonstrate basic experimental knowledge through data gathering, judging the accuracy and reliability of data, creating informative graphs, and discussing the limitations of experimental designs.
Demonstrate basic analytical skills by interpreting graphs and schematics and diagnosing realistic physical problems.
Demonstrate conceptual understanding by being able to describe qualitatively the underlying causes of basic physical phenomena.
Respectfully and ethically collaborate with people in other disciplines from disparate backgrounds.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1 and Intermediate Algebra or equivalent
Unit(s): 5.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 102.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is an introductory study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function as well as basic viral structure and reproduction. Attention is given to life processes within cells and to interactions between cells. Coverage includes experimental design and statistical analysis; basic biotechnology concepts and techniques; DNA structure, function, and gene expression; enzyme function; energetics; nutrient cycles in ecosystems; transport mechanisms; cytoskeletal components; cell communication (including nerve impulse conduction and signal transduction); cell reproduction; Mendelian and population genetics; cell evolution; and modern concepts of molecular biology. This course is designed for biology majors. (C-ID BIOL 135S/BIOL 190)
Prerequisite(s): Intermediate Algebra or equivalent
Unit(s): 5.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 102.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course, intended for majors, examines the basic principles governing evolution of organisms and interactions between organisms and the environment, and emphasizes ecological principles and mechanisms of evolution. (C-ID BIOL 130S/BIOL 135S)
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 11 or CHEM 51 or one year of high school Chemistry; and Intermediate Algebra or equivalent
Unit(s): 5.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 102.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course introduces students to the basic principles of chemistry with a quantitative emphasis. Topics include atomic theory, chemical bonding, molecular geometry, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, gases, thermochemistry, intermolecular forces and solutions. This is the first semester of a one-year course in chemistry intended for majors in the natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, pre-medicine), mathematics, and engineering. The two-semester sequence of CHEM 1 and CHEM 2 provides the basic chemical background needed for further investigations into our physical environment. Graded only. (C-ID CHEM 110/120S).
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course introduces students to the internal and external processes that are at work changing the earth today. Within the context of modern plate tectonics theory, students will explore the origins of rocks and minerals and dynamic earth processes such as volcanism, seismicity and mountain building that are driven by the release of Earth's internal heat. It also examines how wind, running water, and glaciers move in response to gravity and energy from the sun and the sculpting of Earth's surface by erosion. These concepts as well as the interpretation of topographic and geologic maps will be reinforced with an integrated laboratory program. (C-ID GEOL 101).
Prerequisite(s): MATH 20 and MATH 26 or college-level Pre-calculus
Unit(s): 5.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
85.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 85.00
A first course in differential and integral calculus of a single variable: functions, limits and continuity, techniques and applications of differentiation and integration, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Primarily for Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Majors. (C-ID MATH 210).
Prerequisite(s): MATH 30
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
68.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course is the second of a series in differential and integral calculus of a single variable. Topics will include the concept, techniques and applications of integration, infinite sequences and series, as well as polar and parametric equations. Intended for Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Majors. (C-ID MATH 220).
Prerequisite(s): MATH 31
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
68.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 68.00
Vector valued functions, calculus of functions of more than one variable, partial derivatives, multiple integration, Green???s Theorem, Stokes??? Theorem, divergence theorem. (C-ID MATH 230).
Prerequisite(s): MATH 31
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
68.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 68.00
The course is an introduction to ordinary differential equations including both quantitative and qualitative methods as well as applications from a variety of disciplines. Introduces the theoretical aspects of differential equations, including establishing when solution(s) exist, and techniques for obtaining solutions, including, series solutions, and singular points, Laplace transforms and linear systems. (C-ID MATH 240).
Prerequisite(s): MATH 30
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course, intended for students majoring in physical sciences and engineering, is part of a three-semester course whose contents may be offered in other sequences or combinations. Core topics include an introduction to kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, momentum, gravitation and simple harmonic motion. It is highly recommended that students also enroll in PHYS 51. Graded only. (C-ID PHYS 205).
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 41, MATH 31
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course, intended for students majoring in physical sciences and engineering, is part of a three-semester course whose contents may be offered in other sequences or combinations. Core topics include electrostatics, magnetism, DC and AC circuits, and Maxwell's equations. It is highly recommended that students also enroll in PHYS 52. Graded only. (C-ID PHYS 210).
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 41, MATH 31
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course, intended for students majoring in physical sciences and engineering, is part of a three-semester course whose contents may be offered in other sequences or combinations. Core topics include optics and modern physics. Graded only. (C-ID PHYS 215).
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1
Unit(s): 5.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 102.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is a continuation of CHEM 1, General Chemistry I. Topics include chemical kinetics and equilibrium, acid-base and solubility equilibria, thermodynamics, oxidation-reduction, electrochemistry, coordination compounds, nuclear chemistry, introduction to organic chemistry and qualitative analysis. This is the second semester of a one-year course in chemistry intended for majors in the natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, pre-medicine), mathematics, and engineering. The two-semester sequence of CHEM 1 and CHEM 2 provides the basic chemical background needed for further investigations into our physical environment. Graded only. (C-ID CHEM 120S) (C-ID CHEM 120S = CHEM 1 and CHEM 2).
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2
Unit(s): 5.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 102.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This is the first semester of a one-year course in organic chemistry intended for majors in the natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, and pre-medicine). It covers fundamental principles of organic chemistry including structure, nomenclature, conformational analysis and stereochemistry. The physical properties, reactions and reaction mechanisms of alkanes, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, alkenes, alkynes, and allylic systems are studied. Infrared spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are discussed in detail. Graded only. (C-ID CHEM 150/CHEM 160S).
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 51 or CHEM 1 and one year high school biology or, BIOL 1 or BIOL 2 or BIOL 20 or BIOL 21
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course includes the study of the structure and function of viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists, with emphasis on the predominant pathogenic members of those groups. Study of basic organic chemistry, genetics, metabolism, microbe-host interactions, the immune response and etiological factors involved in disease are also included. Methods of detection, identification, isolation, culture, enumeration, and control of microbes are provided. Graded only.
Prerequisite(s): Intermediate Algebra or equivalent
Unit(s): 5.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 102.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is intended for majors and includes a survey of the biology and diversity of organisms and emphasizes classification, structure and function of organisms. (C-ID BIOL 130S/BIOL 135S)
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
Historical geology with lab introduces students to Earth's geologic history and the history of life on Earth. Drawing on concepts from plate tectonics theory, evolution, geologic dating methods and stratigraphy, students explore the planet's origin and the processes that have repeatedly re-shaped the global environment during the past 4.6 billion years. It also covers the history of life on this planet and investigates the complementary roles played by natural selection and environmental change in shaping both modern and ancient ecosystems. These concepts as well as fossil identification, study of sedimentary rocks, and interpretation of geologic maps will be reinforced with an integrated laboratory program. (C-ID GEOL 111).
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
Introduction to environmental issues from a scientific perspective, focusing on physical, chemical, and biological processes within the Earth system, the interaction between humans and these processes, and the role of science in finding sustainable solutions. Topics include ecological principles, biodiversity, climate change, sustainability, renewable and non-renewable energy, water resources, air and water pollution, and solid waste management. The concepts will be reinforced with an integrated laboratory program.
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
Introduction to environmental issues from a scientific perspective, focusing on physical, chemical, and biological processes within the Earth system, the interaction between humans and these processes, and the role of science in finding sustainable solutions. Topics include ecological principles, biodiversity, climate change, sustainability, renewable and non-renewable energy, water resources, air and water pollution, and solid waste management. The concepts will be reinforced with an integrated laboratory program.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is an introduction to modern meteorology. Topics include air circulation, pressure and wind, temperature, moisture, fronts, storm systems, cloud types and air stability. The course will also include an introduction to interpreting weather maps, synoptic weather forecasting, and climate change. Math will be used at times during this course but emphasis will be on a conceptual understanding of basic meteorology. It is highly recommended that students also enroll in PSC 51.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 50 (or concurrent enrollment)
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course will emphasize the practical concepts of physical science and weather using demonstration and experimentation. Topics include the scientific method, Newton's laws of motion, heat and energy transfer, the gas law, and fluid dynamics. Other experiments will demonstrate weather observation techniques, collection and analysis of atmospheric data, weather map study, cloud identification, interpretation of satellite imagery, and basic forecasting skills. This course includes a field trip to a local forecasting facility.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to the discipline of computer science, with a focus on the design and implementation of algorithms to solve simple problems using a high-level programming language. Topics include fundamental programming constructs, problem-solving strategies, debugging techniques, declaration models, and an overview of procedural and object-oriented programming languages. Students will learn to design, implement, test, and debug algorithms using pseudocode and a high-level programming language. (C-ID COMP 122).
Prerequisite(s): MATH 30
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course develops the techniques and theory needed to solve and classify systems of linear equations. Solution techniques include row operations, Gaussian elimination, and matrix algebra. Investigates the properties of vectors in two and three dimensions, leading to the notion of an abstract vector space. Vector space and matrix theory are presented including topics such as inner products, norms, orthogonality, eigenvalues, eigenspaces, and linear transformations. Selected applications of linear algebra are included. (C-ID MATH 250).
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Contacts
Jason Trento, Chair
(530) 879-4305
Department Office: MATH 104
(530) 879-6106
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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