Physics

Associate of Science Degree

Available at: Heritage Campus

Program Overview

The Physics Program at Del Mar College (DMC), a part of the Department of Natural Sciences, offers an Associate of Science (AS) degree in physics but offers physics courses at three different math levels for students of all majors. All physics courses are transferable to colleges and universities offering a similar course.

1. INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS
   At the introductory level, sufficient to satisfy the core requirement for a science class, we offer Physics 1305 (Classical Mechanics) and Physics 1307 (Electricity and Magnetism) as well as Physics 1303 (Astronomy). These introductory level courses do not emphasize math and take a more conceptual approach to physics. From the most classical examples of ancient science to the frontiers of what is known today, physics gives the liberal arts students a good view of what a science is.
2. COLLEGE PHYSICS
   At the college algebra and trigonometry level we offer a sequence of college physics courses, Physics 1401 (Classical Mechanics) and Physics 1402 (Electricity and Magnetism), which provide a good physical foundation for students in the life sciences. Modern biology depends more and more on technology driven by applied physics. The mechanics of how an organism functions can most easily be described in the language of physics.
3. UNIVERSITY PHYSICS
   At the calculus level we offer a sequence of university physics courses, Physics 2425 (Classical Mechanics) and Physics 2426 (Electricity and Magnetism), which provide the training necessary for physics majors as well as engineering majors. This sequence emphasizes problem solving from the fundamental definitions and laws of classical physics. The training at this level is thorough to ensure the future success of our students at their transfer institution.

Course and Lab Work

Course and laboratory work for college physics and university physics are coordinated to help students first reason out a physical theory and then apply the scientific method in testing the physical theory. Students are asked to draw conclusions from actual measured observations and their estimated precision.

Faculty

Experienced professional physicists/engineers conduct both classroom and lab work, and emphasize in their teaching methods that acquiring knowledge and skills from a course is far more important than acquiring a certificate stating that you have completed the course.

Curriculum

Students planning to continue at a senior college should consult an advisor concerning degree requirements of the college to which transfer is intended.

• Physics, Associate of Science

Careers