Your path to a physics degree starts at SCC.

Look no further than Southeastern Community College's Physics Associate Degree Transfer Program. Whether you're fresh out of high school or looking to switch gears in your career, we've got the perfect launchpad for your dreams.

Embark on your journey into the world of physics right here at SCC.

Program location

 

Why Physics at SCC?

Learn in our modern labs: Get a hands-on education in our spacious new science labs and classrooms.

Get to know your professors: Our faculty love to teach... and it shows. Enjoy small classes with plenty of time to interact and learn from them.

Save money: You'll take the same classes and learn the same concepts and skills... at a fraction of the cost.

Explore versatile career paths: From engineering to research, a physics degree opens doors in a variety of industries.

What you'll learn

• Dive into the laws of motion, energy, and thermodynamics to understand the fundamental principles governing our universe.
• Explore the fascinating realms of electricity, magnetism, and light, and their applications in modern technology.
• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through challenging coursework and hands-on experiments.
• Gain proficiency in mathematical techniques and computational tools used to analyze complex systems.
• Prepare for seamless transfer to four-year institutions to continue your education and pursue your career goals.

Common transfer colleges & universities

• Iowa State University
• University of Iowa
• University of Northern Iowa

TRANSFER INSTITUTIONS

Where this degree can take you

• Research Scientist
• Engineering Technician
• Data Analyst
• Secondary School Teacher
• Health Physicist

Contact Us

Schedule an Appointment

 

The Physics Transfer Major at SCC provides a well-rounded two year program for students who plan to continue their education as a physics major at a four year college or university. This 62 semester-hour program includes those physics courses typically taken during the first two years of college.

Summary Sheet

The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.

Download the summary sheet.

Curriculum Sequence

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Fall Semester I	Course Title	Credit
SDV-108	The College Experience	1
ENG-105	Composition I	3
MAT-210	Calculus I	4
CHM-165	General Chemistry I	4
ZZZ-CUL	Cultural Awareness Course	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	15

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Spring Semester I	Course Title	Credit
ENG-106	Composition II	3
MAT-216	Calculus II	4
CHM-175	General Chemistry II	4
ZZZ-SOC	Social Science Course	3
ZZZ-HUM	Humanities Course	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	17

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Fall Semester II	Course Title	Credit
MAT-219	Calculus III	4
PHY-212	Classical Physics I	5
SPC-112	Public Speaking	3
ZZZ-HUM	Humanities Course	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	15

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Spring Semester II	Course Title	Credit
PHY-222	Classical Physics II	5
ZZZ-SOC	Social Science Course	3
Take one 3 Credit Course
ZZZ-ELE	Elective Course	3-5
Take Course(s) Totaling at Least 4 Credits
ZZZ-ELE	Elective Course	3-5
	TOTAL CREDITS	15

SDV-108 - The College Experience

Lecture: 1

Credit: 1

This course is designed to empower new students to successfully transition to college. Students will learn academic success skills, strategies for personal development and exploration, college culture and expectations, and how to access college resources and services.

ENG-105 - Composition I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.

MAT-210 - Calculus I

Lecture: 4

Credit: 4

This course includes the study of limits and continuity, derivatives and differentiation, differentials, maximum and minimum function values and techniques of graphing, applications and an introduction to integration. Prerequisites: MAT-120 AND MAT-134 with a minimum grade of C- or meet minimum placement testing requirements.

CHM-165 - General Chemistry I

Lecture: 3

Lab: 2

Credit: 4

The first semester of a traditional two-semester sequence. General Chemistry I provides an in-depth and integrated study of chemical principles, including terminology, measurements, unit conversions, atoms, elements, molecules, compounds, moles, stoichiometry, gases and gas laws, energy, electron configurations, periodicity and chemical bonding. Prerequisites: Must complete high school algebra or equivalent (math placement test scores or MAT-062). Take CHM-122.  Please speak to a Student Success Advocate if you have completed 1 year of high school chemistry, as that would also meet the prerequisite.

ZZZ-CUL - Cultural Awareness Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Cultural Awareness requirement address the diversity of culture within the United States and across the world. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ENG-106 - Composition II

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A continuation of study of the principles of writing begun in ENG-105. Emphasis is placed on persuasive writing, critical analysis and the MLA research paper. Time will also be spent exploring print and electronic research sources and learning effective research strategies. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: ENG-105, with a minimum grade of C-.

MAT-216 - Calculus II

Lecture: 4

Credit: 4

This course is a study of integration, techniques of integration, applications and accompanying mathematical structure. Prerequisite: MAT-210 with a minimum grade of C-.

CHM-175 - General Chemistry II

Lecture: 3

Lab: 2

Credit: 4

The second semester of the traditional two semester sequence. General Chemistry II covers basic principles of intermolecular forces, colligative properties, reaction kinetics, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, precipitation reactions, spontaneity and electrochemistry. Prerequisite: CHM-165.

ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

MAT-219 - Calculus III

Lecture: 4

Credit: 4

This is a course on multivariable calculus which covers topics from the functions of several variable and vector valued functions. The course includes directional derivative, gradients, the curl, the divergence, multiple integrals over regions and volumes. Line and surface integrals will be covered. Double integral in the polar coordinates will be covered. Prerequisite: MAT-216 with a minimum grade of C-.

PHY-212 - Classical Physics I

Lecture: 4

Lab: 2

Credit: 5

Classical Physics introduces the students to the classical topics of motion in one, two and three dimensions (Kinematics and dynamics), gravitation, work and energy, relativistic dynamics, rotational and oscillatory motion and thermodynamics. This physics course depends very much on the calculus of reals and vector integral calculus. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT-210.

SPC-112 - Public Speaking

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery and audience analysis.

ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-ELE - Elective Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 0-2

Credit: 3-5

Any course of 100-level or higher from Arts and Sciences or Career Technical Education can be used to fulfill an Elective. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

PHY-222 - Classical Physics II

Lecture: 4

Lab: 2

Credit: 5

Classical Physics II continues in the second semester with emphasis on the theory of electricity and magnetism. The concept of a field is applied to the electrostatic charge. The laws of Coulomb and Gauss are to be developed and applied to various types of charge distribution. Electric current and magnetic force are to be discussed in connection with their application to electromagnetic induction. Prerequisite: PHY-212.

ZZZ-ELE - Elective Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 0-2

Credit: 3-5

Any course of 100-level or higher from Arts and Sciences or Career Technical Education can be used to fulfill an Elective. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

Rahmat Rahmat - Professor - Physics

Email: rrahmat@scciowa.edu
MS, University of Oregon
ALM, Harvard University
M. Ed., Upper Iowa
PhD, University of Oregon