Stark State’s associate degree in physics provides a strong foundation in calculus-based physics, mathematics, and other sciences while building problem‑solving, analytical, and collaboration skills. It’s designed primarily for transfer to a four‑year university, preparing students to enter a bachelor’s program in physics or related STEM fields and pursue careers in science, engineering, research, or technology.
Major code: 7107 Arts and Sciences Division Physics Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Experience | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| Concentration Core | ||
| PHY221 | General Physics I with Calculus | 5 |
| PHY222 | General Physics II with Calculus | 5 |
| MTH224 | Analytical Geometry and Calculus II | 4 |
| MTH225 | Analytical Geometry and Calculus III | 4 |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Select 8 credit hour minimum from the following: | 8 | |
| Astronomy | ||
| Introduction to Forensic Science | ||
| General Chemistry I (required) | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Forensic Chemistry | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| General Biology I | ||
| General Biology II | ||
| Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic | ||
| Select 4 credit hours minimum from the following: | 4 | |
| Precalculus 1 | ||
| Analytical Geometry and Calculus I | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| English Composition and Oral Communication | ||
| College Composition (required) | ||
| Arts and Humanities | ||
| Select 6 credit hours across two disciplines: | 6 | |
| British Literature: Medieval to 1785 | ||
| British Literature: 1785 to Present | ||
| Introduction to Shakespeare | ||
| American Literature: Colonial to 1865 | ||
| American Literature: 1865 to Present | ||
| Film Appreciation | ||
| Women's Literature | ||
| Major Modern Writers | ||
| United States History I to 1877 | ||
| United States History II from 1877 | ||
| World Civilization to 17th Century | ||
| World Civilization from 17th Century | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credit hours across two disciplines: | 6 | |
| Basic Economics | ||
| Microeconomics | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Industrial/Organizational Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| United States Government and Politics | ||
| Diversity in American Society | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Society and Technology | ||
| Human Growth and Development | ||
| Psychology of Personality | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Dynamics of the Family | ||
| Social Structure and the Individual | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select additional credits from Natural Sciences, Mathematics, or the electives categories to complete the total of 60-65 credit hours | 11-16 | |
| Programming Logic and Problem Solving | ||
| Modeling and Simulation | ||
| Computer Applications for Professionals | ||
| Special Topics in Science I | ||
| Special Topics in Science II | ||
| Special Topics In Science III | ||
| Study Away: Experiential Learning | ||
| Effective Speaking | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Total Hours | 54-59 | |
- 1
A student may take MTH125 College Algebra and MTH130 Trigonometry over two semesters to satisfy this requirement.
Full-Time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Students should make an appointment to see their advisor before registering for classes each semester to discuss their academic progress as well as career plans.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below provides the normal scheduling option for full-time associate degree students who plan to finish in four years.
Elective Additional Credit
Self-selection of courses and not following the approved degree program could adversely affect graduation, transfer to a 4-year institution, and financial aid. Visit the website of the university and program to which you are transferring for their course requirements. Also visit https://www.transferology.com/ to assist in developing a plan for transferring to another college or university. Students should select Ohio Transfer 36 approved and TAG approved courses.
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree requirements and course transferability are controlled by the institution to which the student plans to transfer.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| Natural Sciences Elective | 3-5 | |
| ENG124 | College Composition (Required) | 3 |
| MTH223 | Analytical Geometry and Calculus I | 4 |
| Social Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| English Composition and Oral Communication Elective | 3 | |
| CHM141 | General Chemistry I (Required) | 5 |
| Natural Science or Mathematics or Other Elective | 3-4 | |
| MTH224 | Analytical Geometry and Calculus II | 4 |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| Arts Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Social Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| PHY221 | General Physics I with Calculus | 5 |
| MTH225 | Analytical Geometry and Calculus III | 4 |
| Arts Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| PHY222 | General Physics II with Calculus | 5 |
| Natural Sciences Elective | 4 | |
| Natural Science or Mathematics or Other Elective | 4-5 | |
| Hours | 13-14 | |
| Total Hours | 60-64 | |
Social and Behavioral Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BUS122 | Basic Economics | 3 |
| BUS221 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| BUS222 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| PSC121 | United States Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY123 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| PSY124 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY131 | Psychology of Personality | 3 |
| PSY220 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY221 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SOC121 | Sociology | 3 |
| SOC122 | Society and Technology | 3 |
| SOC123 | Dynamics of the Family | 3 |
| SOC225 | Diversity in American Society | 3 |
| SOC228 | Social Structure and the Individual | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG233 | British Literature: Medieval to 1785 | 3 |
| ENG234 | British Literature: 1785 to Present | 3 |
| ENG235 | Introduction to Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG236 | American Literature: Colonial to 1865 | 3 |
| ENG237 | American Literature: 1865 to Present | 3 |
| ENG239 | Film Appreciation | 3 |
| ENG240 | Women's Literature | 3 |
| ENG241 | Major Modern Writers | 3 |
| HIS121 | United States History I to 1877 | 3 |
| HIS122 | United States History II from 1877 | 3 |
| HIS221 | World Civilization to 17th Century | 3 |
| HIS222 | World Civilization from 17th Century | 3 |
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
Natural Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHY105 | Astronomy | 4 |
| CHM105 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| CHM142 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHM205 | Forensic Chemistry | 4 |
| BIO141 | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIO142 | General Biology II | 4 |
| GEO141 | Physical Geology | 4 |
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COM121 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| CSE122 | Programming Logic and Problem Solving | 3 |
| CST121 | Modeling and Simulation | 3 |
| ENG231 | College Composition II | 3 |
| ITD122 | Computer Applications for Professionals | 3 |
| SCI271 | Special Topics in Science I | 1 |
| SCI272 | Special Topics in Science II | 2 |
| SCI273 | Special Topics In Science III | 3 |
| SSC201 | Study Away: Experiential Learning | 1 |
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Work professionally within a group in a laboratory setting.
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of physics and/or astronomy.
- Apply problem solving skills using mathematical and physical reasoning, including applying the scientific method.
- Write technical reports at a level appropriate for a scientific audience.