Physics Transfer Major
Start your career in physics at Iowa Lakes! Develop the knowledge and principles to succeed in one of the many exciting career fields involving physics, including data analyst, teacher, lab technician, software engineer, and more.
Earn your Associate of Science degree in Physics before transferring on to a regent university (University of Iowa, Iowa State or University of Northern Iowa) to complete your Bachelor of Science degree. Completion of the AS degree at Iowa Lakes will satisfy the required general education prerequisites at the regent of your choosing. Complete courses in Classical Physics I and II, as well as Calculus I, II and III, before even graduating from Iowa Lakes.
By earning this degree, you’ll have met the general course requirements for a specific major of a four-year institution and a transfer major recorded on your transcripts from Iowa Lakes. Requirements may vary among institutions so students should work with an advisor to become familiar with specific requirements of the institution which they plan to transfer.
To earn a Transfer Major Degree, a student must complete all required coursework of that specific major and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
A Physics Transfer Major at Iowa Lakes can lay the foundation for your bachelor’s degree. You have a goal … we have the plan. APPLY TODAY
Students who plan to complete their general AA or AS and have a TRANSFER OPTION should contact the college or university to which they plan to transfer to assure that that core courses they take will transfer into their planned major.
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Program Details
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Curriculum
Term 1
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET,COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
MAT 211 – Calculus I
A general course in differential and integral calculus and its applications. Topics include limits and continuity; differentiation; application of differentiation; integration; logarithmic, exponential and other transcendental functions; and applications of integration.
Prerequisites: MAT 127 – College Algebra and Trig or equivalent
SDV 103 – Successful Learning
Students master the academic and personal skills needed to succeed in higher education and in life. Content will cover academic, communication and life management skills. Goal setting, time management, note taking, test taking and how to be a lifelong learner will also be covered.
Term 2
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
MAT 217 – Calculus II
Continuation of MAT 211. Integration techniques, sequences, infinite series, conic sections, parametric equations, polar coordinates, vectors, cylindrical and spherical coordinates, and vector-67 values functions.
Prerequisites: MAT 211 – Calculus I or equivalent
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
SPC 112 – Public Speaking
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis.
SPC 122 – Interpersonal Communications
Examines how humans communicate in one-on-one situations through personal and professional relationships.
Choose either SPC 101, SPC 112 or SPC 122
Humanities: 3 credits
Social Science: 3 credits
Term 3
MAT 218 – Calculus III
Continuation of MAT 217. Explores functions of several variables; partial derivatives; directional derivatives and gradients; multiple integration; vector analysis; and a brief look at differential equations.
Prerequisites: MAT 217 – Calculus II or equivalent
PHY 212 – Classical Physics I
Demonstrations, lectures recitations and laboratory work beginning a two-semester sequence covering the subject. Mechanics is primarily covered in the first semester. Recommended for those planning to major in engineering, physics, chemistry and mathematics.
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment or previous course in calculus
Term 4
MAT 227 – Differential Equations with Laplace Transforms
Students learn to recognize various types of differential equations and learn how their solutions behave. Topics include solving first and second order differential equations, applications, systems of equations, Laplace transforms and series solutions, existence theorems, numerical methods, and partial differential equations.
Prerequisites: MAT 217 – Calculus II
PHY 222 – Classical Physics II
Continuation of PHY 212. Thermodynamics and electricity and magnetism are covered in this course. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: PHY 212 – Classical Physics I
† indicates a course that fulfills the diversity requirement. This course may also fulfill another general AA requirement.
