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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.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | Hours | |
| CHM 121 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
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. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: 3 Contact Hours: 7 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
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. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/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 with a grade of B or better and required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with a grade of B or better and required reading placement test score. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| MTH 200 | Calculus I | 5 |
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. Click here for Math placement information: https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php Lecture Hours: 5 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| Social and Behavioral Science 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
Second Semester | ||
| CHM 122 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
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 lecture material. IAI CHM 912 Prerequisite: CHM 121 (General Chemistry I) with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: 3 Contact Hours: 7 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
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. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| MTH 201 | Calculus II | 5 |
Description: Continues MTH 200. Studies differentiation of transcendental functions, 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. Click here for Math placement information: https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php Lecture Hours: 5 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| PHY 201 | General Physics I-Mechanics | 5 |
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, IA 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). Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| Hours | 18 | |
Third Semester | ||
| Humanities and Fine Arts 2 | 3 | |
| MTH 202 | Calculus III | 5 |
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. Click here for Math placement information: https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php Lecture Hours: 5 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| PHY 202 | General Physics II-Electricity and Magnetism | 5 |
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. For students in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. IAI PHY 912 Prerequisite: MTH 201 and PHY 201 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
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 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| Humanities and Fine Arts 2 | 3 | |
| Life Science | 3 | |
| MTH 212 | Differential Equations | 3 |
Description: Continues MTH 201. 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 201 (Calculus II, IAI MI 900-2, IAI MTH 902) with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| PHY 203 | General Physics III-Thermal and Quantum Physics | 5 |
Description: Introduces thermodynamics and quantum physics. Topics include temperature and heat, ideal gas law, first and second law of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gasses, entropy, relativity, quantization, the atom, solid state physics and conduction, nuclear and elementary particle physics. For students in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. IAI PHY 915A Prerequisite: MTH 201 and PHY 201 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | ||
| Social and Behavioral Science 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
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.
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.