PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Associate in Science Degree in Physics is a program giving students the background that four-year colleges require for their own undergraduate preparation. Physics is the foundation of modern science; it is the major for a passion of understanding how things work as well as enjoying scientific experiments and mathematics. Physics is the science concerned with investigating and understanding the basic laws of nature from the domain of the very small subatomic particles to the very large astronomical objects and everything in between. Physics graduates find employment in diverse occupations such as research, medicine, software design, and finance. Physicists are involved in many fields of study including Research and Development, Aerospace and Defense, Design and Production, Medical Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Geophysics, Meteorology, and Education. Physics is the science behind innovations and technological advances of the future. This degree fulfills the College’s mission of developing skills in written communication, oral communication, and critical thinking while advancing knowledge in diversity and social responsibility. The semester-by-semester plans described below are general guidelines. Students should work closely with their academic advisors and transfer program/school to develop a plan that best meets their own individual needs and goals.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND CURRICULUM MAP.

Systemwide General Education Bucket Requirements (SGE)

Beginning in Fall 2024, GCCC will participate with all state universities, Washburn University and all community colleges in Kansas in the systemwide general education (SGE) framework for associate in arts (AA) and associate in science (AS) degrees. GCCC’s SGE framework includes 34-37 credit hours organized in 7 “buckets” identified by an individual SGE code. Any student who has completed the full credit hour requirement in all buckets will be considered to have completed the Kansas SGE framework for associate in arts (AA) and associate in science (AS) degrees. The completion of the 34-37 credit hour general education package will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Articulation Agreements for Bachelor Degree Completion:

• Baker University  
• Bellevue University  
• Bethany College  
• Kansas Wesleyan University  
• Newman University