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Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
Physics is the scientific study of nature and seeks to answer fundamental the questions of the universe. Some areas of study include forces, electricity and magnetism and electromagnetic radiation, heat and thermodynamics, light and optics, special relativity and time dilation, atoms and quantum mechanics, transistors and solid-state interactions, astrophysics, and astronomy. Physics is a subject that spans many disciplines, mathematics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine to name a few. If you wonder about how the universe works, why the earth rotates, or how the shadow of the sun move across the ground then physics may be for you.
Physics covers a broad range of ideas that can greatly enhance you career options. There are a large range of careers available to students with degrees in physics: National Labs, university research, medical physics, engineering, government positions with NASA and private positions with companies like Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Teaching positions at universities, colleges, and high schools.
Program Length
While the length of time depends on your chosen interest area (medical physics, engineering physics, etc.) programs are generally arranged so that students can finish degrees within 2-4 years depending on the specialization within the physics discipline.
Transfer Options
The student in this program is well prepared to transfer to physics programs around the world. Examples include the University of California (UC) System, the California State University (CSU) system, most other US state university systems, Harvard, MIT, and many more.
Program Specific Support
Tutoring programs are available in Business Science Technology & Innovation Center (BSTIC).
Transfer, Degrees and/or Certificates
Sample Academic Plans
Semester 1
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH 3A* | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 2A & Major | 5 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundalmentals | 1C | 3 |
| Arts or Humanities or Social & Behavioral Sciences | Arts or Humanities or Social and Behavior Sciences GE Course | 3A or 3B or 4 | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 2 | College Writing Critical Thinking | 1B | 4 |
| MATH 3B | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 2A & Major | 5 |
| PHYS 4A | General Physics | 5A and Major | 4 |
Summer
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 4A | Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | 2A & Major | 5 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 4B | General Physics | 5A and Major | 4 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5A and Major | 5 |
| MATH 26 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 2A & Major | 4 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 4C | General Physics | 5A and Major | 4 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5A and Major | 5 |
| MATH 24 | Elementary Differential Equations | 2A & Major | 4 |
- This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | A2 | 4 |
| MATH 3A* | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | B4 & Major | 5 |
| Arts | Arts GE Course | C1 | 3 |
| Learning & Self Development | Lifelong Learning and Self Development GE Course | E | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical Thinking GE Course | A3 | 3-4 |
| MATH 3B | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | Major | 5 |
| PHYS 4A | General Physics | B1/B3 & Major | 4 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | A1 | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 4A | Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | Major | 5 |
| PHYS 4B | General Physics | B1/B3 & Major | 4 |
| Humanities | Humanities GE Course | C2 | 3 |
| PS 1 | American Government | D | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 4C | General Physics | Major | 4 |
| HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | D | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies | Ethnic Studies GE Course | F | 3 |
| Life Science | Life Science GE Course | B2 | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | C1 or C2 | 3 |
- This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH 3A | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 1C & Major | 5 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication/Thinking | Communication/Analytical Thinking GE Course | 1B | 3-4 |
| MATH 3B | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | Major | 5 |
| PHYS 4A | General Physics | Major | 4 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 4A | Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | Major | 5 |
| PHYS 4B | General Physics | Major | 4 |
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 2 & Major | 5 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 1 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 4C | General Physics | Major | 4 |
| CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | Major | 5 |
| Social Sciences | Social Sciences GE Course | 3 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
- This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
AA = Associate of Arts | AS = Associate of Science | AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer | AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer | COA = Certificate of Achievement | COC = Certificate of Completion | COP = Certificate of Proficiency | = Fast Track Career Path
Explore Careers
Not sure if Physics is the right fit?
Exploratory Interest Area
Explore Physics while still working toward your academic goals.
Talk with a Counselor
Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
Why choose IVC?