The Associate of Science degree in Physics lays a foundation for a bachelor’s degree in physics or astronomy, as well as a useful starting point for bachelor’s degrees in math or engineering physics. A bachelor’s physics degree is a passport into a wide range of careers in science, engineering, and technology including research, teaching, medicine, law, science journalism, science and energy policy, government, non-profit and finance. The skills obtained can also be immediately applicable to employment as a laboratory assistant, quality control officer or physical sciences technician.

Upon graduation, students can: • Understand the physics of motion, Newton’s laws, conservation of energy and momentum, electricity and magnetism, basic thermodynamics, waves and oscillations. • Apply algorithmic and symbolic thinking to the problem-solving process. • Use order of magnitude calculations to understand the scale of phenomena. • Compare and contrast observations of physical phenomena with expected, theoretical and/or modeled behavior. • Prepare, logical, well-reasoned, clear and concise lab reports. • Apply classroom knowledge to private and public discussions of science issues. • Understand, interpret and assess the value of publicly presented science issues.