Physical Science
Degree and Certificate
Review academic requirements in the Catalog and in the Curriculum Guides. All students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review academic program requirements and/or have questions answered.
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- Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree
- Natural Science: Physical Science Emphasis (PDF) - This emphasis will enable students to develop a strong foundation in the physical sciences. Furthermore, the theoretical knowledge and laboratory skills acquired by students in this emphasis will also enhance their success with obtaining entry-level jobs that require two years of college-level physical science and laboratory skills.
- Physical Science (PDF) - The Certificate in Physical Sciences is awarded for studies of the physical world from the very small to the infinite. Students have investigated such phenomena as light, energy, the states of matter, chemical reactions, the formation of our planet earth and its place in the universe. This certificate provides an excellent foundation for further studies in science education and other fields.
Related Information at Ohlone
Courses
Course descriptions are available in the Catalog. Review the Class Schedule for class dates and times. A sampling of courses for this discipline includes:
- PHS-135 Physical Science
- PHYS-108 Survey of Physics
- ASTR-101A General Astronomy of the Solar System
- CHEM-101A General Chemistry
- CHEM-106A Principles of Chemistry
- CHEM-108 Survey of Chemistry
- GEOL-101 Introduction to Geology
- GEOL-101L Physical Geology Laboratory
- GEOL-102 Introduction to Oceanography
- GEOL-102L Oceanography Laboratory
Student Learning Outcomes for Physical Science / Physics
Upon successful completion of the courses in this discipline, the student will have acquired the following knowledge and skills:
- Demonstrate a comprehension of physical and environmental reality by understanding how fundamental physical principles underlie the huge variety of natural phenomena and their interconnectedness.
- Demonstrate a comprehension of biological reality by understanding how physical principles are at work in living organisms.
- Demonstrate a comprehension of technology by understanding how things work on a fundamental level.
- Build critical thinking and quantitative skills by gaining insight into the thought processes of physical approximation and physical modeling, by practicing the appropriate application of mathematics to the description of physical reality, and by searching for a physical interpretation of mathematical results.
- Demonstrate basic experimental skills by the practice of setting up and conducting an experiment with due regards to minimizing measurement error and by the thoughtful discussion and interpretation of data.
- Demonstrate basic communication skills by working in groups on a laboratory experiment.
- Retain information from course to course by aiming at proficiency in the correct use of all the fundamental laws and equations to solve integrated problems.
Career Opportunities
Please visit the Counseling Department and Student Success Center for information.
Transfer Information
Please visit the Counseling Department and Transfer Center for information.
