Courses and Requirements
The Associate in Arts Degree in Physical Sciences is designed for the student planning to transfer to a four-year institution and major in a physical science (Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics). This program provides a solid liberal arts foundation and takes into account the general science and mathematics courses required for transfer to many colleges/universities. However, students are strongly urged to consult with a faculty member in the NECC Natural Science Department and with the Admissions Office/Science Department at the institution to which they plan to transfer for their preferred sequence of courses. A minimum of 68 credit hours is required for graduation.
Starting in the fall of 2014, any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six core academic skills in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.
Requirements
| CHM121 | General Chemistry I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| CHM122 | General Chemistry II | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| MAT251 | Calculus I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive |
| MAT252 | Calculus II | 4 | |
Courses with Prerequisites: CHM121, CHM122, ENG102, MAT251, MAT252
Electives
Choose one of the concentrations below
Chemistry/Physics Concentration
| MAT253 | Calculus III | 4 | |
| MAT254 | Differential Equations | 4 | |
| PHS131 | Engineering Physics I | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
| PHS132 | Engineering Physics II | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
| Science Elective | 3-4 | |
Courses with Prerequisites: MAT253, MAT254, PHS131, PHS132
Earth Science Concentration
| ERS125 | Environmental Issues | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
| ERS130 | Meteorology | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
| ERS140 | Physical Geology | 4 | |
Select ONE of the following sequences (8 credits)
| PHS111 | College Physics I | 4 | |
| PHS112 | College Physics II | 4 | |
| OR | | |
| PHS131 | Engineering Physics I | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
| PHS132 | Engineering Physics II | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
Courses with Prerequisites: PHS111, PHS112, PHS131, PHS132
Program Notes
Recommended Course Sequences Liberal Arts Physical Sciences Associate in Arts
Chemistry/Physics Track
Year 1
Fall
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| HIS/GOV/GEO | History and Government Elective | 3 | |
| LIT | Literature Elective | 3 | |
| MAT251 | Calculus I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive |
| PHS131 | Engineering Physics I | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
Spring
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| HIS/GOV/GEO | History and Government Elective | 3 | |
| LIT | Literature Elective | 3 | |
| MAT252 | Calculus II | 4 | |
| PHS132 | Engineering Physics II | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
Year 2
Fall
| ANT/PSY/SOC | Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | |
| CHM121 | General Chemistry I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| Foreign Language/Philosophy & Religion Elective | 3 | |
| Program Elective | 3-4 | |
| Science Elective | 4 | |
Spring
| ANT/PSY/SOC | Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | |
| CHM122 | General Chemistry II | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| Foreign Language/Philosophy & Religion Elective | 3 | |
| MAT253 | Calculus III | 4 | |
| MAT254 | Differential Equations | 4 | |
Earth Science Track
Year 1
Fall
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| ERS130 | Meteorology | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
| HIS/GOV/GEO | History and Government Elective | 3 | |
| LIT | Literature Elective | 3 | |
| MAT251 | Calculus I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive |
Spring
Year 2
Fall
| ANT/PSY/SOC | Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | |
| CHM121 | General Chemistry I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| ERS125 | Environmental Issues | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
| Foreign Language/Philosophy & Religion Elective | 3 | |
| | | |
| PHS111 | College Physics I | 4 | |
| OR | | |
| PHS131 | Engineering Physics I | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
Spring
| ANT/PSY/SOC | Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | |
| CHM122 | General Chemistry II | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| Foreign Language/Philosophy & Religion Elective | 3 | |
| | | |
| PHS112 | College Physics II | 4 | |
| OR | | |
| PHS132 | Engineering Physics II | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
| | | |
| Program Elective | 3-4 | |