Total Credits: 91

1. College Success

• COLLG 110 College Success (3 credits)

• 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.

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• Note:

  • Successfully completing either COLLG 110 or COLLG 115 will fulfill the College Success requirement. 
  • 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.

• MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
• MATH& 142 Precalculus II (5 credits)
• MATH& 151 Calculus I (5 credits)

• Note: The Calculus sequence starting with Calculus II (MATH& 152, MATH& 163 and MATH&264) can be taken concurrently with the physics sequence (PHYS& 221, PHYS& 222, PHYS&223) in a linked learning community. This linked learning community is highly recommended for any student taking Physics 221, who has not previously taken Math 152. Check the Course Schedule and talk with your advisor to see if this option is right for you.

• MATH& 152 Calculus II (5 credits)
• MATH& 163 Calculus 3 (5 credits)

• 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.

• MATH& 264 Calculus 4 (5 credits)

• 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.

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• 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. 

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.  

3. Physics Courses

Take one course per quarter until sequence is finished. PHYS& 221  must be taken first, but PHYS& 222  and PHYS& 223  may be taken in any order after the completion of PHYS& 221 .

• PHYS& 221 Engineering Physics I (6 credits)
• PHYS& 222 Engineering Physics II (6 credits)
• PHYS& 223 Engineering Physics III (6 credits)

• Course purpose: These courses provide the foundation for you to become a physicist.

   

  Note: MATH& 152 must be taken before or concurrently with PHYS& 221.  The Calculus sequence starting with Calculus II (MATH& 152, MATH& 163 and MATH&264) can be taken concurrently with the physics sequence (PHYS& 221, PHYS& 222, PHYS&223) in a linked learning community. This linked learning community is highly recommended for any student taking Physics 221, who has not previously taken Math 152. Check the Course Schedule and talk with your advisor to see if this option is right for you.

   

  Additional note: The full physics series is required for graduation with a Physics degree at WSU, CWU and UW. The full physics series is required for graduation with an Astrophysics degree at WSU and UW. The full physics series is required for graduation with an Astronomy degree at WSU and UW.

4. English Composition I

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)

• 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. 

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• 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.

5. Technical Writing

• ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (5 credits)

• 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.

6. Communication Course Recommendation

Choose one

• CMST& 220 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course provides you with practice in public speaking. Physicists must be able to present proposals, results and conclusions to clients, supervisors and laypeople.

• CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Physicists will work in teams in their careers. This course provides the skills needed to handle group conflicts and discusses different leadership styles.

• CMST& 240 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)

• Course purpose: The examination of the effects of culture upon the process of communication. Using theory and skill development, students are prepared to communicate effectively both within and across cultures.

7. World Language

Choose one

• ASL& 121 American Sign Language I (5 credits)
• FRCH& 121 French I (5 credits)
• GERM& 121 German I (5 credits)
• JAPN& 121 Japanese I (5 credits)
• KREA& 121 Korean I (5 credits)
• RUSS& 121 Russian I (5 credits)
• SPAN& 121 Spanish I (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Requirement for many transfer institutions. Learning a foreign language and associated cultures allows you to participate more effectively and responsibly in a diverse world.

8. Introduction to the Philosophy of Science

• PHIL 160 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Physicists should understand key questions about the foundations and structure of science.

   

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

Action Item: Apply for Graduation

Way to go!  It is time to apply for graduation.  Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details. 

9. Social Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

• SOC 235 Race and Ethnicity (5 credits)

• 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.

• ECON 110 Survey of Economics (5 credits)

• 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.

10. Social Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

• GEOG 150 Europe, the Americas, and Oceania (5 credits)

• Course purpose: You will learn about the range of human experiences around the world, examine how different cultural traits emerge over time, and reflect on their own social and cultural perspectives.

• POLS& 202 American Government (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Physicists often need to express and advocate for one’s views civilly and persuasively in situation where others have fundamentally different views.

11. Social Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

• ANTH& 106 American Mosaic (5 credits)
• SOC 220 Gender Roles in Society (5 credits)

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

• SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology (5 credits)

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

Total Credits: 91

12. Additional Recommended Courses

• MATH 205 Linear Algebra (5 credits)
• MATH 238 Differential Equations (5 credits)

• 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).

• CHEM& 139 General Chemistry Prep (5 credits)

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

• CHEM& 161 General Chemistry w/Lab I (5 credits)
• CHEM& 162 General Chemistry w/Lab ll (5 credits)
• CHEM& 163 General Chem w/Lab III (5 credits)

• 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 121