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Program facts 
Get your Associate in Science degree and transfer to a four-year institution to study physics. You’ll take core courses along with physics-focused classes in calculus with analytical geometry, general chemistry, general physics, differential equations and more.
Harper College has a robust physical sciences department featuring modern laboratories, a research-quality telescope and one of the largest community-college geology collections in the nation.
When you enroll in a transfer degree program, academic advisors or counselors will help you choose courses that meet the specific requirements of the four-year college or university you plan to attend.
This sample transfer planning guide meets the requirements of the Associate in Science degree. Students choosing to follow this sample plan need to choose the major of Associate in Science if needing financial aid. Transfer institution requirements may vary - students should check individual college/university requirements before completing the sample plan as outlined. Baccalaureate admission may be competitive. Completion of these courses alone does not guarantee admission.
F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 121 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
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Description: Studies principles of atomic and molecular structure, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, kinetic molecular theory, and solutions. Corresponding laboratory experiments include volumetric and gravimetric analyses, a qualitative study of reactions, visible spectrophotometry, and problem-based analyses. Intended for all students whose majors require general chemistry, including science majors and pre-professionals. The course also satisfies a general education laboratory science requirement for students with previous chemistry experience. IAI P1 902L, IAI CHM 911 Prerequisite: Two semesters of high school chemistry or CHM 110 with a grade of C or better AND placement into college-level mathematics without support. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
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Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| MTH 200 | Calculus I | 5 |
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Description: Studies limits, continuity, derivatives, antiderivatives, and definite integrals as they relate to algebraic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions. Includes applications to geometry, science, and engineering. IAI M1 900-1, IAI MTH 901 Prerequisite: MTH 140 (Precalculus) with a grade of C or better, or other placement options. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Social and Behavioral Science1 | 3 | |
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 122 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
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Description: Continues CHM 121 as the second semester of a general chemistry sequence intended for all students whose major requires a full year of general chemistry, including science majors and pre-professionals. Includes the principles of chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base reactions, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics. Also introduces topics in organic, nuclear, transition metal, and descriptive chemistry. Laboratory includes experiments related to the lecture material. IAI CHM 912 Prerequisite: CHM 121 (General Chemistry I) with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
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Description: Continues ENG 101. Reading literature and writing of various types of prose. Introduces methods used in writing investigative papers. IAI C1 901R Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor or department chair. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| MTH 201 | Calculus II | 5 |
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Description: Continues MTH 200. Uses integrals to describe area and volume, studies techniques of integration, series, conics, polar coordinates and parametric equations with applications to science and engineering. IAI M1 900-2, IAI MTH 902 Prerequisite: MTH 200 (Calculus I) with a grade of C or better, or other placement options. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| PHY 201 | General Physics I: Mechanics | 5 |
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Description: Introduces mechanics using calculus. Topics include force and motion; work and energy; rotation; oscillations; and fluids. For students in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. IAI P2 900L, IAI PHY 911 Prerequisite: MTH 200 (Calculus I, IAI M1 900-1, IAI MTH 901) with a grade of C or better. Recommend concurrent enrollment in MTH 201 (Calculus II, IAI M1 900-2, IAI MTH 902). Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Fine Arts2 | 3 | |
| MTH 202 | Calculus III | 5 |
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Description: Continues MTH 201. Studies three-dimensional vectors, solid analytic geometry, vector-valued functions, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, Green’s theorem, surface integrals, divergence theorem and Stokes' theorem. IAI M1 900-3, IAI MTH 903 Prerequisite: MTH 201 (Calculus II) with a grade of C or better, or other placement options. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| PHY 202 | General Physics Ii: Electricity and Magnetism | 5 |
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Description: Introduces electricity and magnetism using calculus. Topics include charge; electric field and potential; resistance, capacitance, and inductance; DC and AC circuits; magnetic fields; laws of Gauss, Ampere, and Faraday; Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic waves; geometric optics, lenses and mirrors, interference and diffraction, and polarization. Intended for students in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. IAI PHY 912 Prerequisite: MTH 201(Calculus II, IAI M1 900-2, IAI MTH 902) and PHY 201 (General Physics I: Mechanics, IAI P2 900L, IAI PHY 911) with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
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Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Fine Arts2 | 3 | |
| Life Science | 3 | |
| MTH 212 | Differential Equations | 3 |
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Description: Continues MTH 202. Emphasizes solutions of first order differential equations, linear differential equations, special second order equations and series solutions. Studies selections from these topics: LaPlace transforms, Fourier series, numerical methods and applications of matrix algebra. IAI MTH 912 Prerequisite: MTH 202 (Calculus III, IAI M1 900-3, IAI MTH 903) with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| PHY 203 | General Physics Iii: Thermal and Quantum Physics S | 5 |
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Description:
This course is only offered in the spring term. Prerequisite: MTH 201 (Calculus II, IAI M1 900-2, IAI MTH 902) and PHY 201 (General Physics I: Mechanics, IAI P2 900L, IAI PHY 911) with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Social and Behavioral Science1 | 3 | |
1 - One course from Humanities and Fine Arts or from Social and Behavioral Sciences must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. Refer to the Associate in Science degree for approved courses in this category.
2 - Select one course from Humanities and one course from Fine Arts. Interdisciplinary courses may count in either category. One course from Humanities and Fine Arts or Social and Behavioral Sciences must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. Refer to the Associate in Science degree for approved courses in this category.
For more information about physics courses at Harper, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.