Quick Facts
Degree University Studies Degree
Areas of Study Physical Sciences

University Studies – 22 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AA.1510

The Physical Sciences emphasis is designed to provide students with the lower division major courses to transfer to a university and pursue baccalaureate degrees in chemistry, geology, physics, and related areas. See a counselor for the complete list for your choice of transfer university and major.

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

16 Units Total
ENGL C1000
GE 4
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1000
Units 4
Note: For students who would benefit from further instruction and individual support while taking their first college-transfer level English course, ENGL C1000E is a recommended alternative to ENGL C1000.

In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. An argumentative research essay is required for the successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Cal-GETC 6
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 6 - Ethnic Studies
Cal-GETC 6
Units 3
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MATH C2210
Pre. GE M 4
Calculus I: Early Transcendentals
MATH C2210
Units 4
Advisory: English Placement Level 6 or higher.

A first course in differential and integral calculus of a single variable. Topics include limits and continuity of functions, techniques and applications of differentiation, an introduction to integration, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. This course is primarily intended for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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CHEM 1A
Pre. GE M Lab 5
General Chemistry
CHEM 1A
Units 5
Note: Students must provide those materials which are of continuing value outside of the classroom setting. This cost will be explained at the first class meeting.

This course is for science and engineering majors which covers the nature of atoms, molecules, and ions; chemical reactions; precipitation, oxidation-reduction, and acid/base chemistry; stoichiometry; electronic structure; periodicity; chemical bonding and molecular structure; properties of solids, liquids, and gases; and an introduction to thermodynamics and solutions. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, First Year

14 Units Total
Cal-GETC 1B
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 1B - Critical Thinking and Composition
Cal-GETC 1B
Units 3
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Cal-GETC 3A
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 3A - Arts
Cal-GETC 3A
Units 3
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COMM C1000
GE 3
Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM C1000
Units 3
In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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CHEM 1B
Pre. M Lab 5
General Chemistry
CHEM 1B
Units 5
Note: Students must provide those materials which are of continuing value outside of the classroom setting. This cost will be explained at the first class meeting.

An introduction to chemical kinetics, nuclear chemistry, transition metals, and organic chemistry; along with continued, in-depth study of equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, acid-base and solution chemistry. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Fall Semester, Second Year

14 Units Total
Cal-GETC 4
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 4 - Social Sciences
Cal-GETC 4
Units 3
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Cal-GETC 3B
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 3B - Humanities
Cal-GETC 3B
Units 3
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PHYS 2A
M Lab 4
General College Physics
PHYS 2A
Units 4
This course provides an introduction to the principles and applications of mechanics, using the mathematical tools of algebra and right triangle trigonometry. Topics include vectors, kinematics, Newton's laws, gravity, energy and momentum, mechanics of rigid bodies, heat, fluids, and simple harmonic motion. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ELCT
Lab 4
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 4
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Spring Semester, Second Year

16 Units Total
Cal-GETC 4
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 4 Social Sciences
Cal-GETC 4
Units 3
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Cal-GETC 5B
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 5B - Biological Sciences
Cal-GETC 5B
Units 3
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PHYS 2B
M Lab 4
General College Physics
PHYS 2B
Units 4
This course is a continuation of PHYS 2A, covering mechanical waves (including sound), electricity, magnetism, geometric optics, interference and diffraction, and selected topics from relativity and quantum mechanics (at the discretion of the instructor). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

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Academic/Instructional Division Office

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