Physical Science (AAS)

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Grade Requirements: Minimum overall GPA of 2.00 or “C”.
Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 63 credit hours are required for graduation; 34-36 of these are required within the program.
Program Code: 6068AAS
CIPC: 400101

Advisement

It is recommended that a student consult with a departmental advisor annually. Call 801-626-6163 for information or to schedule an appointment.

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General Education

Refer to Degree Requirements for Associate of Applied Science requirements. The following courses required for the Physical Science program will also satisfy the general education requirement for physical sciences: CHEM 1210 PS ; GEO 1110 PS ; and PHYS 2210 PS (or PHYS 2010 PS ).

Program Learning Outcomes

Students can trace scientific understandings, theory, and models back to their sources in their primary discipline.
Students demonstrate how scientific knowledge is derived, reviewed, and communicated.
Nature of science. Scientific knowledge is based on evidence that is repeatedly examined, and can change with new information. Scientific explanations differ fundamentally from those that are not scientific.
Integration of science. All natural phenomena are interrelated and share basic organizational principles. Scientific explanations obtained from different disciplines should be cohesive and integrated.
Science and society. The study of science provides explanations that have significant impact on society, including technological advancements, improvement of human life, and better understanding of human and other influences on the earth’s environment.
Problem solving and data analysis. Science relies on empirical data, and such data must be analyzed, interpreted, and generalized in a rigorous manner.
Organization of systems: The universe is scientifically understandable in terms of interconnected systems. The systems evolve over time according to basic physical laws.
Matter: Matter comprises an important component of the universe, and has physical properties that can be described over a range of scales.
Energy: Interactions within the universe can be described in terms of energy exchange and conservation.
Forces: Equilibrium and change are determined by forces acting at all organizational levels.

Major Course Requirements for AAS Degree (34-39 credits)

Core Courses (26 credits):

CHEM 1200 - Preparation for College Chemistry Credits: (3)
CHEM 1210 PS - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: (4) and
CHEM 1215 - Principles of Chemistry I Lab Credits: (1)
CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: (4) and
CHEM 1225 - Principles of Chemistry II Lab Credits: (1)
GEO 1110 PS - Dynamic Earth: Physical Geology Credits: (3) and
GEO 1115 - Physical Geology Lab Credits: (1)
PHYS 2210 PS - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Credits: (5) or
PHYS 2010 PS - College Physics I Credits: (5)
PHYS 2600 - Laboratory Safety Credits: (1) or
CHEM 2600 - Laboratory Safety Credits: (1) or
GEO 2600 - Laboratory Safety Credits: (1)
PHYS 2820 - Elements of Research in the Sciences Credits: (3) or
CHEM 2820 - Elements of Research in the Sciences Credits: (3) or
GEO 2820 - Elements of Research in the Sciences Credits: (3)

Foundational Courses for the Discipline (8-13 credits):

Complete one of the following groups of courses.

For Students most interested in chemistry (10 credits):

CHEM 2310 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: (4) and
CHEM 2315 - Organic Chemistry I Lab Credits: (1)
CHEM 2320 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: (4) and
CHEM 2325 - Organic Chemistry II Lab Credits: (1)
Please note the combined CHEM 2310 and CHEM 2315, and CHEM 2320 and CHEM 2325, each count as one foundation course. CHEM 2310 and CHEM 2315 must be taken concurrently, same for CHEM 2315 and CHEM 2325

For students most interested in Earth/geological science (8 credits):

GEO 1220 - Historical Geology Credits: (4)
GEO 2050 - Earth Materials Credits: (4)

For students most interested in physics (13 credits):

MATH 1200 - Mathematics Computer Laboratory Credits: (1)
MATH 1220 - Calculus II Credits: (4)
PHYS 2220 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Credits: (5)
PHYS 3310 - Scientific Computing for Physical Systems Credits: (3)
* Students should consult with a departmental advisor to determine the appropriate mathematics and physics sequences for their educational and/or career goals.