Physics
Associate of Science
The Associate of Science degree with a field of study in Physics offers students the opportunity to take a core curriculum of general education with an emphasis in Physics. Physics students may select a career in a wide range of scientific and technical fields.
The student should bear in mind that most of these career areas require education or training beyond the Associate of Science degree. Career fields available to the physics student include:
- Astronomy
- Biophysics
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Elementary or Secondary Education
- Engineering - Civil, Electrical, Industrial
- Geophysics
- Hydrogeology
- Medicine
- Meteorology
- Patent Law
- Physics
- Seismology
This listing closely parallels the first two years of education that one would receive at most universities. Upon completion of this sequence, many students transfer to obtain a degree in one of the various physics fields. However, students intending to transfer should be aware of the transfer institution’s requirements.
Entering students, please note that the first semester suggests MATH 2413 Calculus I. Students with a score of 380+ on the math portion of the TSI Exam may test-out of MATH 2412 Pre-Calculus Math and enroll directly into MATH 2413 Calculus I after taking and passing the Calculus I Placement Exam provided by the Mathematics Department. Students who qualify and elect this option must contact and make arrangements with the Mathematics Department at 956-872-8327 no later than two (2) weeks prior to the start of the semester the students intends to enroll.
Students with an SAT score of 560+ (SAT II Math Level 1), 520+ (SAT II Math Level 2) or an ACT score of 28+ may also enroll directly into MATH 2413 Calculus I. Otherwise, it is recommended that students take the prerequisite MATH 2412 Pre-Calculus Math the summer prior to the start of the fall semester. Enrollment in MATH 2412 Pre-Calculus Math requires a prerequisite of MATH 1414 College Algebra or ACT scores of 25-27, SAT II Math Level I scores of 520-559, or SAT II Math Level 2 scores of 500-519.
For questions regarding this major, please contact the program advisors:
- Dr. Enriqueta Cortez, Department Chair
956-872-2502 - Dr. Guanghua Xu, Physics Faculty
956-872-2045 - Dr. Ivan Camara, Math and Science Student Success Specialist
956-872-6786
TSI LIABLE
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Field of Study - 18 credit hours | ||
| MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 2425 | University Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 2426 | University Physics II | 4 |
| COSC 1436 | Programming Fundamentals I 1 | 4 |
| STC Core Curriculum - 42 credit hours | ||
| Complete 42 credit hours of required Core Curriculum including the following: 2 | 42 | |
| Life and Physical Sciences | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Calculus I 3 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
| 1 | COSC 1436 Programming Fundamentals I is scheduled for 2 credit hours of field of study and 2 credit hours of general education requirements (Component Area Option). |
| 2 | In addition to the courses in the Field of Study, the student is required to take 42 credit hours from the STC Core Curriculum. |
| 3 | For students to directly enroll into MATH 2413 Calculus I, they must earn 375+ on the TSI and successfully complete and exam administered by the MATH department or earn a 100 on the college-level mathematics ACCUPLACER. |
TSI LIABLE
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
| HIST 1301 or HIST 2327 |
United States History I or Mexican-American History I |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| ENGL 1302 | Composition II - Rhetoric | 3 |
| MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Creative Arts Elective - Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Summer Session I | ||
| GOVT 2305 | Federal Government | 3 |
| Component Area Option - Core Curriculum | 1-4 | |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PHYS 2425 | University Physics I | 4 |
| GOVT 2306 | Texas Government | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective - Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| HIST 1302 or HIST 2328 |
United States History II or Mexican-American History II |
3 |
| COSC 1436 | Programming Fundamentals I 1 | 4 |
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective - Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| PHYS 2426 | University Physics II | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 Credit Hours | |
| 1 | COSC 1436 Programming Fundamentals I is scheduled for 2 hours of field of study and 2 hours of general education requirements (Component Area Option). |