2020-2021 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Nov 22, 2024  
HELP
2020-2021 Pierce College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics/Astronomy (AA-DTA) Course Map

Facebook this Page (opens a new window)
Tweet this Page (opens a new window)

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Career Pathway

Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field and for transfer to a four-year institution. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. If you want to change a course on this map you must speak with an advisor to assure you meet all degree requirements. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete an Associate in Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA)  Degree, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!

Important note about transfer: colleges and universities may change their requirements at any time, so this map is not a guarantee of transfer. You will need to check transfer requirements with your intended four-year school. 

1. College Success

  • Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

  •  

  • Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course.

2. Math Courses

Take one course per quarter until sequence is finished.

  • Note: MATH& 153 may be used as a substitute for MATH& 163.  Please check with your transfer institution to determine how this substitution may impact your transfer-readiness.

  • Note: MATH 224 may be used as a substitute for MATH& 264.  Please check with your transfer institution to determine how this substitution may impact your transfer-readiness.

     

    Note: The full calculus series is required for graduation with a Physics degree at WSU, CWU, UW, WWU and EWU. The full calculus series is required for graduation with an Astrophysics degree at WSU and UW. The full calculus series is required for graduation with an Astronomy degree at WSU and UW.

  •  

  • Additional Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options. 

3. Preparation for Engineering Physics

Action Item: Meet with Advisor

Use your Success Network!  In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.  

4. Physics Courses

Take one course per quarter until sequence is finished.

5. English Composition I

  • Course purpose: This course provides the foundational skills needed to write effectively. Physicists must be able to communicate effectively in writing technical reports, grants, instructions and proposals to colleagues.

     

    Note:  ENGL& 101 is required for graduation with a Physics degree at WSU and CWU. 

  •  

  • Additional Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course. 

Action Item: GPA Check

GPA check at the completion of 20 credits. Talk to an advisor about transfer options.

6. Technical Writing

  • Course purpose: Physicists must write technical reports to effectively convey ideas, findings, proposals, instructions  etc.

     

    Note: Technical writing is a required course for graduation with a Physics degree at WSU. WWU requires Physics 419, Professional Writing for Physicists, for the Physics/Astronomy BS degree, so please work with your advisor to confirm whether ENGL& 235 will transfer as an equivalent.

7. Communication Course Recommendation

Choose one

8. World Language

Choose one

9. Introduction to the Philosophy of Science

Action Item: Apply for Graduation

Way to go!  It is time to apply for graduation.  Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details.  https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/graduation

10. Social Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

  • Course purpose: Physicists must work in diverse teams with colleagues of various backgrounds.

    Note: This course meets the Diversity course requirement at UW and WSU.

  • Course purpose: Physicists often need to apply for funding from governmental sources and need to understand the impact of changes in taxes and governmental spending on budgets.

11. Social Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

12. Social Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

Total Credits 94

13. Additional Recommended Courses

  • Course purpose: Physicists need a strong foundation in math in order to apply these math concepts to physics applications.

    Note: Math courses through MATH 224 satisfy the core requirements at UW, but if you are planning to pursue the comprehensive or teacher prep track you may need one more math course, and if you are planning to pursue the applied track you may need two more math courses; both MATH 205 and 238 will satisfy those requirements. 

    Both linear algebra and differential equations are required courses for graduation with a Physics degree at WSU, WWU, EWU,  CWU (BS only) and UW, as well as the Astrophysics degree at WSU.

    Linear algebra alone is a required course for graduation with a Physics degree at CWU (BA only).

  • Note: Chemistry courses can be taken after transferring to PLU.

  • Course purpose: Physicists need a background in chemistry to provide insight into atomic structure, physical interactions and thermodynamics.

    Note: Chemistry courses can be taken after transferring to PLU. 

    Only CHEM 161 & 162 are required at CWU and UPS (BA-degree).

    The full chemistry series is required for graduation with a Physics degree at WSU, and for graduation with an Astrophysics degree at WSU.

    Several schools DO NOT require chemistry including: UW – Seattle, UW – Bothell, WWU, SU, UPS (BS-degree), SPU, University of Maryland, WWU, and EWU.

Adjusted Total Credits 124

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Career Pathway


Facebook this Page (opens a new window)
Tweet this Page (opens a new window)
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  About Pierce College
  Getting Started at Pierce
  Academic Information
  General Degree Overview and Information
  Getting Started on Your Career Path
  Course Maps and Programs A-Z
  Course Prefixes
  Course Descriptions
  Appendix
  ADDENDUMS
  Other Programs
  General University Transfer Degrees
  My Portfolio