Physics
Admissions and Records
- Email: admissions@svcc.edu
- Phone: (815) 835-6273
- Fax: (815) 456-4240
- Visit Admissions to view Hours
Associate in Science Degree with a Concentration in
Physics (417)
The concentration in Physics prepares students to transfer to four-year universities to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Physics, Engineering, and/or Computer Science.
The associate in science (A.S.) degree is designed to complete the lower-division (freshman and sophomore) portion of a bachelor of science degree in STEM-related majors. As a result, the A.S. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum (GECC). Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.
Physics - IAI Recommended Course Sequence
Follow this link for career information.
Transfer Considerations
Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program.
- Bachelor's programs in physics are based on an in-depth foundation of sequential coursework in science and math, while upper-division coursework provides the preparation necessary for graduate studies and/or work in industry. Multiple tracks are often available. For example, some institutions offer a specialty in applied physics or certification for high school teaching.
- PHY 211 and PHY 212 (Calculus-based Physics Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism), MAT 203, MAT 204, and MAT 205 (Calculus & Analytic Geometry I, II, & III), and CHE 205 and CHE 206 (General Chemistry I & II) are recommended electives based on top transfer school requirements (for a Physics B.S.). Some schools also require completion of a computer-programming language, MAT 231 and/or MAT 211 before students may begin junior-year required courses.
Competitive Admissions
Since admission is competitive, completing the recommended courses does not by itself guarantee admission. Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program.
Special Considerations
Mathematical ability and computer skills are essential to the career success of physicists. Advanced degrees, often the Ph.D., are required for career advancement.
Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
- Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
- Dr. James Chisholm, Professor of Physics, 815-835-6215
Minimum Total Credit Hours - 65 Hours
Suggested Course Sequence
First Semester - 17 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Life Science | 3 Hours | |
| Personal Development | 1 Hour | |
| CHE105 | General Chemistry I | 5 Hours |
| This course involves the study of matter measurements the periodic table of the elements atomic structure basic concepts of quantum theory bonding stoichiometry of compounds and reactions solution chemistry introduction to acids and bases thermochemistry the gaseous state and basic concepts of the liquid and solid states. This class is for chemistry engineering premedical and science majors.Prerequisite One year of high school chemistry or CHE 103 or CHE 102. 5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI P1 902L CHM 911LectureLab Hours 3 lec 3 labweek | ||
| ENG101 | Composition I | 3 Hours |
| This course 1 develops awareness of the writing process 2 provides inventional organizational and editorial strategies 3 stresses the variety of uses for writing and 4 emphasizes critical skills in reading thinking and writing.Prerequisite Required placement score on approved English placement test high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099.3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1 Hour |
| The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills goal setting academic planning time and money management and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite None1 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 1 lecweek | ||
| MAT203 | Calculus & Analytic Geometry I | 4 Hours |
| The elementary concepts of differential and integral calculus are introduced and applications are discussed. These include limits continuity the derivative rules of differentiation the indefinite and definite integral. Trigonometric functions are dealt with. Some applications are related rates graphing extreme value problems and Newtons method for finding roots of equations.Prerequisite A grade of C or better in MAT 121 College Algebra AND MAT 122 Trigonometry OR appropriate placement see current placement score prerequisite chart 4 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 900-1 MTH 901LectureLab Hours 4 lecweek | ||
Second Semester - 18 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Development | 1 Hour | |
| CHE106 | General Chemistry II | 5 Hours |
| This course is a continuation of CHE 105. This course involves the study of solutions acids and bases equilibria acid-base equilibria solubility equilibria kinetics thermodynamics electrochemistry coordination compounds and nuclear chemistry. This class is for chemistry engineering premedical and science majors.Prerequisite CHE 1055 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI CHM 912LectureLab Hours 3 lec 3 labweek | ||
| ENG103 | Composition II | 3 Hours |
| An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition students receive instruction in logic and reasoning including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 901RLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| MAT204 | Calc & Analytic Geometry II | 4 Hours |
| The methods of differentiation and integration are extended and power series are introduced. The new methods deal with logarithms exponential hyperbolic and inverse trigonometric functions. Some applications are area between two curves volumes of revolution arc length and work. The techniques of integration by parts partial fractions trigonometric substitution and numerical integration are covered. Power series and the Taylor series function representation are introduced. Prerequisite MAT 203 with a grade of C or higher. 4 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 900-2 MTH 902LectureLab Hours 4 lecweek | ||
| PHY211 | Engineering Physics I | 5 Hours |
| An examination of the basic principles of mechanics with special emphasis on conceptual and mathematical problem-solving. Topics include linear kinematics Newtons Laws rotational motion equilibrium harmonic motion and waves. Prerequisites High school physics or PHY 201 and MAT 203. 5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI P2 900L and PHY 911LectureLab Hours 4 lec 2 labweek | ||
Third Semester - 15 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Arts | 3 Hours | |
| Social / Behavioral Science | 3 Hours | |
| Personal Development | 1 Hour | |
| COM131 | Intro to Oral Communication | 3 Hours |
| The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course 1 develops awareness of the communication process 2 provides inventional organizational and expressive strategies 3 promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts and 4 emphasizes critical skills in listening reading thinking and speaking.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| PHY212 | Engineering Physics II | 5 Hours |
| An examination of the basic principles of electricity and magnetism with selected topics in electric and magnetic fields potentials network theory dielectric and magnetic properties of matter capacitance inductance dc and ac circuits Maxwells equations and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisite PHY 211 and MAT 204 or concurrent enrollment in MAT 204. 5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI PHY 912LectureLab Hours 4 lec 2 labweek | ||
Fourth Semester - 15 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities | 3 Hours | |
| Social / Behavioral Science | 3 Hours | |
| MAT205 | Calc & Analytic Geometry III | 4 Hours |
| The elementary ideas concerning conic sections polar curves and vector-valued and multivariate functions are covered. These topics include area arc length and tangents for polar curves. In addition vectors vector derivatives curvature and motion in two and three space are studied. The multivariate concepts of differentiability partial differentiation gradient vectors LaGrange multipliers finding relative extreme values and multiple integration are studied. The course also includes material on vector fields line integrals independence of path Greens Theorem surface integrals the Divergence Theorem and Stokess Theorem.Prerequisite MAT 204 with a grade of C or higher. 4 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 900-3 MTH 903LectureLab Hours 4 lecweek | ||
| PHY213 | Engineering Physics III | 5 Hours |
| An introduction to heat and thermodynamics universal gravitation geometrical and physical optics the properties of light relativity quantum mechanics atomic and nuclear physics elementary particles and solid-state physics.Prerequisite PHY 212 and MAT 204. 5 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI PHY 915ALectureLab Hours 4 lec 2 labweek | ||