Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
University Studies: Physical Sciences AA Degree
University Studies – 22 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AA.1510
The Physical Sciences emphasis is designed to provide students with the lower division major courses to transfer to a university and pursue baccalaureate degrees in chemistry, geology, physics, and related areas. See a counselor for the complete list for your choice of transfer university and major.
Choose your path
Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.
A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.
Fall Semester, First Year
16 Units TotalENGL 1A
GE
4
Reading & Composition
ENGL 1A
This course is the transferable course in composition currently offered to qualified freshmen at practically all American colleges and universities. It presupposes that the students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. The course concentrates on developing effective writing and reading. A library research paper is required for successful completion of the course.
This composition class is also taught by Distance Learning. In these sections of ENGL 1A, students will be required to attend class lecture/discussion in a virtual on-line classroom instead of physically attending in a classroom. This will require participation through a text-only Internet connection utilizing a WebCT classroom. Minimum requirement: ability to access World Wide Web addresses. Students may access WebCT through any Internet ramp, including Personal Computer or Web T.V. connection or any Internet connection accessible through the local library, work, school, etc.
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ETHS 1
GE
3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
MATH 3A
GE
M
4
Calculus 3A
MATH 3A
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
First semester of a four-semester sequence covering differentiation of single variable functions, applications of the derivative, introduction to integration, and introduction to differential equations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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First semester of a four-semester sequence covering differentiation of single variable functions, applications of the derivative, introduction to integration, and introduction to differential equations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
CHEM 1A
GE
M
Lab
5
General Chemistry
CHEM 1A
Note: Students must provide those materials which are of continuing value outside of the classroom setting. This cost will be explained at the first class meeting.
A course for science and engineering majors which covers the nature of atoms, molecules, and ions; chemical reactions; stoichiometry; properties of solids, liquids, gases, and solutions; electronic structure; periodicity; chemical bonding; and an introduction to thermodynamics, equilibrium, and precipitation oxidation-reduction, and acid/base chemistry.
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Spring Semester, First Year
14 Units TotalENGL 1C
GE
3
Critical Reasoning, Reading and Writing
ENGL 1C
Course focuses on critical thinking skills, close textual analysis, and expository and argumentative writing. Students apply critical thinking skills in reading non-fiction and fiction, and in writing essays of definition, cause/effect analysis, argumentation, refutation, and advocacy. Students will learn to use research strategies in analyzing others' ideas and supporting their own. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ART 4
GE
3
Ethnic Art of the World
ART 4
A survey course of the visual arts of Ethnic and Indian Cultures. Explored are the Eskimo, North West Coast, Pueblo, Apache, Navaho, Iroquois, Plains, Southeastern, California, Mexico, Peru, Africa, Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, India, Japan, China, and Barbarians. Stress is given to the styles, motifs, symbols and meaning of the cultures by examining crafts, drawings, sculpture, woodcuts and paintings. This course designed for Humanities elective, recommended for Art Core Programs, and required for Art History Concentration.
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CMST 60
GE
3
Public Speaking
CMST 60
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190 or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with emphasis on public speaking. Subjects covered are audience analysis, choosing speech topics, finding and using supporting materials, arranging and outlining related points, essentials of speech delivery and evaluation. College level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines and short essays.
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This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with emphasis on public speaking. Subjects covered are audience analysis, choosing speech topics, finding and using supporting materials, arranging and outlining related points, essentials of speech delivery and evaluation. College level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines and short essays.
CHEM 1B
M
Lab
5
General Chemistry
CHEM 1B
Note: Students must provide those materials which are of continuing value outside of the classroom setting. This cost will be explained at the first class meeting.
An introduction to chemical kinetics, nuclear chemistry, transition metals, and organic chemistry; along with continued, in-depth study of equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, acid-base and solution chemistry. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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An introduction to chemical kinetics, nuclear chemistry, transition metals, and organic chemistry; along with continued, in-depth study of equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, acid-base and solution chemistry. The lecture and discussion portions of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
Fall Semester, Second Year
14 Units TotalHIST 17A
GE
3
United States History
HIST 17A
Advisory: ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HUM 2
GE
3
Exploring the Humanities
HUM 2
This course is designed to explore the humanities by examining expression of human values, ideas, concerns, and experience through the arts, literature, media and the social sciences. The reading of important works in the humanities, written analysis, and attendance at selected performances are major requirements of this course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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BIOL 10
GE
4
General Biology
BIOL 10
This course is an introduction to the major concepts of modern biology. Topics covered include cell biology, heredity and nature of genes, evolution, diversity of life, and principles of ecology. Emphasis will be placed on those aspects of biology that are rapidly reshaping our culture. This is an approved general education course for non-life science majors who desire an introductory biology course with laboratory.
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PHYS 2A
M
Lab
4
General College Physics
PHYS 2A
This course provides an introduction to the principles and applications of mechanics, using the mathematical tools of algebra and right triangle trigonometry. Topics include vectors, kinematics, Newton's laws, gravity, energy and momentum, mechanics of rigid bodies, heat, fluids, and simple harmonic motion. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, Second Year
17 Units TotalPOLS 2
GE
3
Introduction to American Government
POLS 2
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190 or ESL 138, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
An introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. Examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy. This course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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An introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. Examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy. This course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HLTH 1
GE
3
Health and Wellness
HLTH 1
This course focuses upon those elements of human behavior which influence the health status of both the individual and the community. Topics include personal fitness, nutrition, sexuality, sexually transmitted disease, drug dependence including alcohol and tobacco. Also included are topics dealing with lifestyle disease, especially cancer, cardiovascular disease and lung disease. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIST 2
GE
3
World Civilization to 1500 C.E.
HIST 2
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher
This course is a comparative survey of the major ancient world civilizations which developed between 3500 B.C.E. and 1500 C.E. It examines political institutions, religious ideologies, the rise and fall of empires, and the major cultural innovations of each of the major world civilizations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is a comparative survey of the major ancient world civilizations which developed between 3500 B.C.E. and 1500 C.E. It examines political institutions, religious ideologies, the rise and fall of empires, and the major cultural innovations of each of the major world civilizations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
PHYS 2B
M
Lab
4
General College Physics
PHYS 2B
This course is a continuation of PHYS 2A, covering mechanical waves (including sound), electricity, magnetism, geometric optics, interference and diffraction and elementary modern physics. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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PHSC 1
Lab
4
Physical Science Survey
PHSC 1
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in MATH 101, or Math Placement Level 3 or higher.
Active learning, lecture, discussion, demonstration and lab activities cover selected theories of physics and chemistry, emphasizing the conceptual basis of these theories. The course is designed for non-science majors as part of their general education requirement in science. This course is not appropriate for students who have taken college level physics or chemistry.
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Active learning, lecture, discussion, demonstration and lab activities cover selected theories of physics and chemistry, emphasizing the conceptual basis of these theories. The course is designed for non-science majors as part of their general education requirement in science. This course is not appropriate for students who have taken college level physics or chemistry.
Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.
*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:
- California State Universities – General Education
- IGETC – Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).
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(530) 242-7560
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