Physical Science, A.S.
Visit the Earth Science Department page for more information on the program and access to advising.
Program Description
The Physical Science associate degree provides students the opportunity to explore concepts related to the physical sciences. Provides options to seek a bachelor's degree in geology, physics, or chemistry.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
| General Education Requirements | 31 Credits | |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 |
| or ENGH 1005 | Literacies and Composition Across Contexts | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| MATH 1050 | College Algebra | 4 |
| or MATH 1055 | College Algebra with Preliminaries | |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| US History to 1877 (3) | ||
or HIST 2710 | US History since 1877 | |
| American History (3) | ||
| US Economic History (3) | ||
| American Heritage (3) | ||
| American National Government (3) | ||
| Distribution Courses: | ||
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Life Science | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
| Core Discipline Requirements | 17 Credits | |
| Complete one of the following | 17 | |
| Recommended for students most interested in physics: | ||
| Calculus I (4) | ||
| Calculus II (4) | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (4) | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Lab (1) | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (4) | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Lab (1) | ||
Any 1000- or 2000-level PHYS elective (1) | ||
| Recommended for students most interested in chemistry: | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I (4) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory (1) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II (4) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory (1) | ||
| Organic Chemistry I (4) | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) | ||
| Organic Chemistry II (4) | ||
| Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1) | ||
| Recommended for students most interested in earth science: | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I (4) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory (1) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II (4) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory (1) | ||
| Introduction to Geology (3) | ||
| Introduction to Geology Laboratory (1) | ||
| Historical Geology (3) | ||
| Historical Geology Laboratory (1) | ||
| Elective Requirements | 12 Credits | |
| Complete 12 credits from the following (not to include any course being used to fill one of the requirements above). Consult with an advisor to determine which courses best match your long-term educational and career goals. | 12 | |
| Principles of Chemistry I (4) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory (1) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II (4) | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory (1) | ||
| Organic Chemistry I (4) | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) | ||
| Organic Chemistry II (4) | ||
| Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1) | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science and Management (3) | ||
| Introduction to Soils (4) | ||
| Introduction to Geology (3) | ||
or GEO 1030 | Natural Disasters and the Environment | |
or GEO 1040 | The Dinosaurian World | |
or GEO 1050 | Geology of National Parks | |
| Introduction to Oceanography (3) | ||
| Historical Geology (3) | ||
| Historical Geology Laboratory (1) | ||
| Introduction to Field Geology (undefined) | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography (3) | ||
| Mapping the World with Geospatial Technology (undefined) | ||
| Trigonometry (3) | ||
| Calculus I (4) (MATH 1060 is a prerequisite for this course.) | ||
| Calculus II (4) | ||
| Calculus III (4) | ||
| Linear Algebra (3) | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations (3) | ||
| Introduction to Meteorology (3) | ||
| Fundamentals of Weather Forecasting (3) | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (4) | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Lab (1) | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (4) | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Lab (1) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics (3) | ||
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 60 semester credits.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above (departments may require a higher GPA).
- Residency hours: minimum of 20 credit hours through course attendance at UVU.
- Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
Graduation Plan
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing or Literacies and Composition Across Contexts | 3 |
| MATH 1050 or MATH 1055 | College Algebra or College Algebra with Preliminaries | 4 |
| American Institutions | 3 | |
| Humanities Distribution | 3 | |
| Physical Science Distribution | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Life Science Distribution | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Distribution | 3 | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| Complete 9 credits in physics, chemistry, or earth science core discipline requirements | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| Fine Arts Distribution | 3 | |
| Complete 4 credits in physics, chemistry, or earth science core discipline requirements | 4 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Electives | 4 | |
| Complete 9 credits in physics, chemistry, or earth science core discipline requirements | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Develop broad foundational knowledge in the physical sciences by correctly using evidence, experiment and observation, interpretation, and physical concepts.
- Demonstrate patterns of critical, scientific, and quantitative reasoning in application to problems or issues related to the physical sciences.
- Follow practices necessary to safely and ethically use laboratory or other measurement equipment used in the physical sciences.
- Graduate with a breadth of physical science knowledge enabling students to select and proceed with a BS degree program within the physical sciences.