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Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Building

Physical Science - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

AN ARTS AND SCIENCES AREA OF CONCENTRATION

APPLICATION CODE 50

For curriculum information, contact the Science, Engineering, and Technology Division—Room SET-430—443-518-1600.

This curriculum is designed to provide the academic foundation needed by students who are planning to major in the physical sciences; physical scientists are employed in government, industry, and academia. Fields of specialization within the physical sciences include astronomy, chemistry, geology, meteorology, physics, lab technicians (B.S.), technical writing, and secondary and college teaching. This area of study provides a strong mathematics background and emphasis on the ability to apply theory to solve problems. Emphasis is also on laboratory techniques, how to operate laboratory equipment, and collecting and interpreting data to identify unknown substances. Students are advised to consult with an academic advisor and to research the entrance requirements for the colleges/universities to which they intend to apply.

Suggested Semester 1

Course NumberTitleCredits
ENGL 121College Composition

3

CHEM 101General Inorganic Chemistry I

4

MATH 181Calculus I

4

PHYS 110General Physics I (Calculus)

4

Suggested Semester 2

Course NumberTitleCredits
MATH 182Calculus II

4

PHYS 111General Physics II (Calculus)

4

Gen Ed Core Social & Behavioral Sciences - Critical & Creative Thinking Core

3

Elective Elective*

4

Suggested Semester 3

Course NumberTitleCredits
Gen Ed Core Arts & Humanities - Critical & Creative Thinking Core

3

Gen Ed Core Technological Literacy Core

3

Elective Electives*

7

Global Competency - Select 3 credits from the following:

Course NumberTitleCredits
ANTH 104Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Archaeology

3

ANTH 105Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

3

ANTH 110Global Archaeology

3

ANTH 120Comparative World Cultures

3

ANTH 220Cultures of the Middle East

3

GEOG 101Introduction to World Geography

3

GEOG 102Elements of Cultural Geography

3

HIST 123Western Civilization and the Modern World

3

HIST 201Europe in the Twentieth Century

3

Suggested Semester 4

Course NumberTitleCredits
Gen Ed Core Arts & Humanities - Oral Communication Core

3

Gen Ed Core Information Literacy Core

3

Elective Electives*

8

*Electives - Select from the following:

Course NumberTitleCredits

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Course NumberTitleCredits
BIOL 141Foundations of Biology I: Cells, Energy, and Organisms

4

BIOL 201Genetics

3

BIOL 202Genetics Laboratory

1

CHEM 102General Inorganic Chemistry II

4

CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 202Organic Chemistry II

4

ENST 105Environmental Science

3

ENST 115Environmental Science Laboratory

1

GEOL 107Introduction to Physical Geology

3

GEOL 117Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory

1

PHYS 120Oceanography

3

PHYS 121Oceanography Laboratory

1

URSC 101Introduction to Undergraduate Research

1

URSC 201Undergraduate Research Experience I

1

URSC 202Undergraduate Research Experience II

1

URSC 203Undergraduate Research III

1

Geology

Course NumberTitleCredits
ASTR 104Elementary Astronomy

3

ASTR 114Elementary Astronomy Laboratory

1

CADD 108Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

3

CHEM 102General Inorganic Chemistry II

4

ENST 105Environmental Science

3

ENST 115Environmental Science Laboratory

1

ENST 200Fundamentals of Soil Science

4

GEOL 107Introduction to Physical Geology

3

GEOL 117Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory

1

GEOL 108Historical Geology

3

GEOL 118Historical Geology Laboratory

1

METO 111Meteorology

3

METO 112Meteorology Laboratory

1

PHYS 120Oceanography

3

PHYS 121Oceanography Laboratory

1

URSC 101Introduction to Undergraduate Research

1

URSC 201Undergraduate Research Experience I

1

URSC 202Undergraduate Research Experience II

1

URSC 203Undergraduate Research III

1

Physics and Astronomy

Course NumberTitleCredits
ASTR 104Elementary Astronomy

3

ASTR 114Elementary Astronomy Laboratory

1

CMSY 141Computer Science I

4

ENES 100Introduction to Engineering Design

3

ENES 271Applied Numerical Methods

3

GEOL 107Introduction to Physical Geology

3

GEOL 117Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory

1

MATH 220Discrete Structures

3

MATH 240Calculus III

4

MATH 260Differential Equations

3

METO 111Meteorology

3

METO 112Meteorology Laboratory

1

PHYS 112General Physics III (Calculus)

3

URSC 101Introduction to Undergraduate Research

1

URSC 201Undergraduate Research Experience I

1

URSC 202Undergraduate Research Experience II

1

URSC 203Undergraduate Research III

1

Total Credit Hours: 60

A graduate should be able to

  1. Communicate scientific principles and ideas effectively.
  2. Use appropriate scientific principles and qualitative and mathematical techniques, as appropriate, to solve problems pertaining to the physical sciences.
  3. Analyze and interpret data.
  4. Identify, apply, and evaluate ethical reasoning.

This program is in the STEM Pathway.

Guided Pathways is a nationwide educational strategy that provides a structured and collaborative approach to student success. Guided Pathways connect students to the specific resources in an intentional and deliberate way in order to support student success.

For information about advising, please visit the Advising web page.

View the STEM Pathway activities calendar

View activities for all Guided Pathways

Course NumberTitleCredits