Associate in Science (AS) – Physics

Physics is a science that investigates the fundamental concepts of matter, energy, and space as well as the relationships among them. Physics is the backbone of many other fields including astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering, which is evident in fields, such as biophysics, chemical physics, astrophysics, space physics, and geophysics. Regardless of your career choice, an understanding of physics is necessary to understand how our world works. Physics at GTCC serves as one of the core science option for students seeking associate degrees in science at GTCC and basic core science option for associate's and bachelor’s degrees at public and private universities within North Carolina and beyond. Many of our students transfer to a 4-year university or are completing their science pre-requisites for graduate school. 

Credentialing Options

Associate in Science, AS - College Transfer - General Studies - CIP Code: 24.0101

A 10 40 0

Contact:(336) 334-4822, ext. 50136

The Associate in Science (AS) degree is designed for students who want to pursue a four-year degree in areas of study or professional programs that require strong mathematics and science backgrounds. Upon transfer, students who earn the Associate in Science degree generally major in fields such as biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physics.

Upon successful completion of this degree, graduates will be able to:

  • Use strategies to acquire new information in a variety of academic disciplines.
  • Analyze relevant issues presented in a variety of academic disciplines.
  • ​Apply critical thinking in a variety of academic disciplines.

Course Requirements for Associate in Science (60-61 Credits)

General Education (45 Credits)

The general education common course pathway includes study in the areas of English, communication; humanities and fine arts; social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences and mathematics.

Universal General Education Transfer Courses (34 Credits)

All Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) courses will transfer for equivalency credit.

Credit Hour Requirements* | Courses Fulfilling Requirements

All courses below are considered UGETC courses

English Composition (6 credits)

The following two English composition courses are required:

Communication/Humanities/Fine Arts (6 credits)

Select two courses from the following from at least two different disciplines:

Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)

Select two courses from the following from at least two different disciplines:

Mathematics (8 credits)

Select two courses from the following:

Natural Sciences (8 credits)

Select eight credits from the following courses:

Additional General Education Hours (11 Credits)

An additional 11 credits should be should be selected from courses classified as general education within the CAA. Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university. General education courses are listed below.

General Education Electives:

Other Required Hours (15 Credits)

An additional 14 credits of courses should be selected from courses classified as pre-major, elective, or general education courses within the CAA. Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university. Pre-major/elective courses are listed below.

Academic Transition (1 credit)

The following course is required:

Pre-Major/Electives:

Note:

* Individual program may provide specific course requirements

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 14

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 17

Fall Semester II

  • General Education Credits: 3
  • General Education Credits: 3
  • General Education Credits: 3
  • Pre-major Elective, or General Education Credits: 3-4 
  • Natural Science Requirement Credits: 4

Total Credits: 16-17

Spring Semester II

  • General Education Credits: 3
  • Pre-major, Elective, or General Education Credits: 3
  • Pre-major, Elective, or General Education Credits: 3
  • Pre-major, Elective, or General Education Credits: 4

Total Credits: 13

Total credit hours required for degree: 60-61

Close

Associate in Science to Bachelor of Science/Art in Physics Pathway

A 10 40 0 P1

Physics is a science that investigates the fundamental concepts of matter, energy, and space and the relationships among them. Physics is the backbone of many other fields including astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering, which is evident in fields, such as biophysics, chemical physics, astrophysics, space physics, and geophysics. Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) offers the first two years of physics courses and courses in other disciplines, such as mathematics and chemistry, for students who want to major or minor in physics for a baccalaureate program.

The two-year program listed below is designed to meet the requirements of an Associate of Science degree and prepare students for a Bachelor of Science/Art in Physics from regional public and private institutions. Students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university after GTCC should consult with the Transfer Guide, the transfer office at the institution they will be attending, their faculty advisor, and/or GTCC Student Success Center to ensure the transfer of the appropriate courses to that institution for both General Education courses and pre-major electives. A grade of "C" or better must be earned in each course for it to transfer. 

Upon successful completion of this degree, graduates will be able to:

  • Explain the foundational principles of physics qualitatively.
  • Apply physics concepts to real world situations.
  • Analyze problems quantitatively using logic and foundational principles of physics.
  • Use the methods and techniques of experimental physics.

First Semester

Total Credits: 15

Second Semester

Total Credits: 17

Third Semester

Total Credits: 14

Fourth Semester

Total Credits: 14

Total credits required for this pathway: 60

Notes:

Additional General Education Hours: 

CHM 152
, 
MAT 152
, 
MAT 171
, 
MAT 172
, 
MAT 175
, 
FRE 111
, 
FRE 112
, 
SPA 111
, 
SPA 112
 

Other Required Hours:  

CHM 152
, 
MAT 152
, 
MAT 171
, 
MAT 172
, 
MAT 175
, 
FRE 111
, 
FRE 112
, 
SPA 111
, 
SPA 112
, 
MAT 280
, 
MAT 285
, 
PED 110
    

Close

Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC.  During the advising process you will have the opportunity to indicate your desire to study within this curriculum. Your advisor will help you sign up for the specific courses you need.

Anne Simpson
Department Chair of Engineering, Astronomy, and Physics
(336) 334-4822, ext. 50484
absimpson1@gtcc.edu

Dr. Jyoti Nair, Instructor
(336) 334-4822, ext. 50567
jrnair@gtcc.edu

Yes, Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid web page or contact the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822 Option 3.

PHY-110 – Conceptual Physics Lecture:  no pre-requisite, PHY-110A lab is a co-requisite

PHY-110A – Conceptual Physics Lab:  no pre-requisite, PHY-110 lecture is a co-requisite

PHY-131 – Physics Mechanics: C or better in MAT 121 or MAT 171

PHY-151 – College Physics I:  C or better in MAT-171

PHY-152 – College Physics II:  C or better in PHY-151

PHY-251 – General Physics I:  Pre-requisite(s): C or better in MAT 271. Co-requisite(s): MAT 272

PHY-252 – General Physics II:  C or better in MAT-272 and PHY-251

For a course to transfer, you must receive a grade of “C” or better in each course.  If you are interested in transferring to a four-year college or university after GTCC, you should consult with the institutions you will be attending, their faculty advisor, and/or the GTCC Student Success Center. Specific requirements for transfer will vary from school to school.  It is your responsibility to contact your four-year school to confirm if the course will transfer.

PHY 110 Conceptual Physics:  UGETC* course: Natural Sciences – AA/AS

PHY 110A Conceptual Physics Lab:  UGETC* course: Natural Sciences – AA/AS

PHY 151 College Physics I:  UGETC* Course: Natural Sciences – AS

PHY 152 College Physics II:   UGETC* Course: Natural Sciences – AS

PHY 251 General Physics I:  UGETC* Course: Natural Sciences – AS

PHY 252 General Physics II:  UGETC* Course: Natural Sciences – AS

 

*UGETC: Universal General Education Transfer Component course

If you want to pursue a four-year degree in the area of engineering, you should take the calculus-based physics courses:  PHY-251 and PHY-252.

You need to take PHY131 Mechanics for any application in engineering technology.

No. You can get the AAS degree from GTCC for any engineering technology program, but you cannot transfer this physics credit to a four-year college or university.

You need only PHY110 Conceptual Physics and PHY110A Conceptual Physics Lab for this program.