Physical Sciences

www.laguardia.edu/academics/majors/physical-science/

The Physical Sciences Program, offered through the Natural Sciences Department, leads to an Associate of Science Degree (AS) through either the Chemistry or Physics Tracks. The Chemistry and Physics Tracks in the Physical Sciences program articulate with the Chemistry and Physics Bachelor’s degree programs respectively at York College, CUNY. The course requirements for both tracks in the Physical Sciences major will satisfy most of the lower division requirements of most Chemistry and Physics Bachelor’s degree, making the program transferable to four-year colleges both within and outside of CUNY.

The program gives students the solid scientific and mathematical foundation required for advanced coursework in the physical sciences. Both tracks require a year of calculus and one semester of both general chemistry and general physics. The Chemistry Track requires an additional semester of general chemistry and two semesters of organic chemistry. The Physics Track requires students to take an additional year of physics and semester of calculus. The laboratories in the physical science courses familiarize students with techniques and equipment commonly found in both chemistry and physics research laboratories such as titration, acid base extraction, digital and analog sensor calibration, thin layer chromatography, aspirin synthesis, circuit design and use of multimeters and oscilloscopes. The capstone course integrates the skills learned throughout the introductory course work and requires students to work on independent research projects with more advanced equipment such as light and mass spectrometers, scanning electron microscopes, lasers, and digital oscilloscopes. The capstone course prepares students to participate in guided research with a LaGuardia faculty member, a faculty member at the student’s transfer college or to participate in an internal or external undergraduate summer research program.

The Physical Sciences program prepares students for transfer to numerous other academic programs besides those in chemistry and physics, including but not limited to physical oceanography, geology, forensic sciences, pharmacology, pharmacy, and many medical and engineering fields. The program’s emphasis on student research and rigorous course work will enable students to transfer seamlessly to these four-year programs.