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Associate in Science for Transfer Degree
Physics for UC Transfer Degree (UCTP)

The Associate in Science in Physics for UC Transfer Degree is intended for Rio Hondo College students planning to transfer to the University of California (UC) system as physics majors. Along with completing the degree requirements, students must comply with the following in order to be guaranteed admission* to a UC campus participating in the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program:

Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.

Apply Now!


Sample Education Plan

This sample education plan for the 2023-2024 catalog year represents one possible pathway through the program. Each university (UC, CSU, private, and others) has their own transfer requirements; please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. Additional course descriptions may be found in the College Catalog.
Select sample path/map:
CourseUnitsTypically Offered
1st Semester
Select one: MATH 190 / MATH 190H (IGETC 2A)M4.0
MATH 190 - Calculus I (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:MATH 180
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 170, MATH 190 or MATH 190H)

MATH 190 is a semester course designed primarily for those students planning to pursue programs in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and physical sciences. This is the first course in differential and integral calculus of a single variable. It includes topics in functions, limits and continuity, techniques and applications of differentiation and integration and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

MATH 190H - Calculus I Honors (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: MATH 180; ENGL 101
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 170, MATH 190 or MATH 190H)

MATH 190H is a semester course designed primarily for those students planning to pursue programs in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and physical sciences. This course includes topics of differential and integral calculus of a single variable. This course is intended for students who meet Honors Program requirements.

ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (IGETC 1A)GE3.5
ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (3.5 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or eligibility for college composition.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

This composition course enables students to generate logical, coherent essays that incorporate sources necessary for academic and professional success. Students become proficient in researching, evaluating, and incorporating sources, and in learning critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections before applying these skills to creating original documented essays. The writing workshop component of the course is designed to assist students with improving and refining their writing and language skills: Students complete writing workshop activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct citation styles. Students meet with composition instructors through individual or small group conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. This course is designed for students who wish to fulfill the General Education requirement for Written Communication.

IGETC 4 - Social and Behavioral SciencesGE3.0

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
A total of 6 units required in Social and Behavioral Sciences from 2 different disciplines.

 Select one:
AJ 101
ANTH 102, 102H, 103, 104, 110, 115, 125
CD 106, 208
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H, 150
ECON 101, 101H, 102, 102H, 106, 135
EGSS 110, 120, 130
GEOG 102, 103
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158,159, 159H, 167, 170
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130
MSCM 128
PHIL 128, 128H, 135
POLS 110, 110H, 115, 125, 128, 128H, 130,135, 140, 150
PSY 101, 101H, 112, 114, 200
SOC 101, 101H, 102, 105, 110, 114, 116, 120, 127, 130
SPCH 150

IGETC 3A - ArtsGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Select one:
ARCH 103
ARTS: ART 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117
DANC 179, 179H, 199, 199H
GDSN 110
MUS 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136
MUST 151, 152
THTR 101, 105, 105H

Total Semester Units:13.5† 
2nd Semester
MATH 191 - Calculus IIM4.0
MATH 191 - Calculus II (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: MATH 190 or MATH 190H
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This semester-long course continues the study of calculus begun in MATH 190. The course includes techniques of integration, improper integrals, anti-derivatives, applications of the definite integral, differential equations, Taylor polynomials, series, polar equations, and parametric equations. This course is the second course of the calculus sequence required of all engineering, physics, and mathematics majors.

PHY 211 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers - I (IGETC 5A)M4.0
PHY 211 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers - I (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:MATH 190 or MATH 190H
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for one physics series: PHY 150 and PHY 160 or PHY 211, PHY 212, and PHY 213)

This course is the first of a three-semester sequence designed for students transferring to four-year institutions with majors in the sciences and engineering. Topics covered include kinematics, dynamics, energy, work, momentum, and conservation principles.

IGETC 3B - HumanitiesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Select one:
ANTH 104
ASL 124, 201
CHIN 102
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H
ENGL126
FR 102, 201, 202
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130, 140, 145
JAPN 102
LIT 102, 102H, 112A, 112AH, 112B, 112BH, 114, 114H, 117, 117H, 130, 130H, 140, 140H, 141, 141H, 142, 142H, 144A, 144AH, 144B, 144BH, 145, 145H, 146A,146AH, 146B, 146BH, 147, 147H, 148, 148H, 149, 149H
PHIL 101, 101H, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 128H, 135, 140
POLS 128, 128H;
SPAN 102, 201, 201H, 202

IGETC 1B - Critical Thinking and CompositionGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Select one:
ENGL 201, 201H
PHIL 110, 110H

Total Semester Units:14.0† 
Summer 1
CHEM 120 - Introduction to ChemistryM5.0
CHEM 120 - Introduction to Chemistry (5.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*Credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: CHEM 110, CHEM 120; no credit if taken after CHEM 130)

This one-semester course is designed for students intending to major in science or engineering. The course primarily prepares students for CHEM130; additionally, it fulfills the General Education requirement in the physical sciences. This course introduces the fundamental principles of general chemistry, with emphasis on chemical nomenclature and quantitative problems in chemistry. The lecture presents classical and modern chemistry, including atomic theory, periodic properties, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, acids and bases, gas laws, and solutions. The laboratory introduces the techniques of experimental chemistry with examples from all areas of chemistry.

Total Semester Units:5.0 
3rd Semester
MATH 250 - Calculus IIIM4.0
MATH 250 - Calculus III (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: MATH 191
Advisory:ENGL 101
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course involves a study of functions of two or more variables using the principles of calculus, vector analysis, and parametric equations. Also included is a study of solid regions using partial differentiation, vector analysis, and multiple integration, as well as a study of vector calculus topics including line and surface integrals, Green’s theorem, Stokes’ theorem, and the divergence theorem. This is the third course of the calculus sequence required for engineering, physics, and mathematics majors.

PHY 212 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers - IIM4.0
PHY 212 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers - II (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: PHY 211, MATH 191
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for one physics series: PHY 150 and 160 or PHY 211, PHY 212, and PHY 213)

This course is the second of a three-semester sequence designed for students transferring to four-year institutions with majors in the sciences and engineering. Topics covered include kinematics, dynamics, energy, work, momentum, and conservation principles.

IGETC 3A or 3B - Arts or HumanitiesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Arts
Select one:
ARCH 103
ARTS: ART 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117
DANC 179, 179H, 199, 199H
GDSN 110
MUS 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136
MUST 151, 152
THTR 101, 105, 105H

Humanities
Select one:
ANTH 104
ASL 124, 201
CHIN 102
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H
ENGL126
FR 102, 201, 202
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130, 140, 145
JAPN 102
LIT 102, 102H, 112A, 112AH, 112B, 112BH, 114, 114H, 117, 117H, 130, 130H, 140, 140H, 141, 141H, 142, 142H, 144A, 144AH, 144B, 144BH, 145, 145H, 146A,146AH, 146B, 146BH, 147, 147H, 148, 148H, 149, 149H
PHIL 101, 101H, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 128H, 135, 140
POLS 128, 128H;
SPAN 102, 201, 201H, 202

Select one: POLS 110 / POLS 110H (IGETC 4)GE3.0
POLS 110 - Government of the United States (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: POLS 110 or POLS 110H)

This course surveys and analyzes the origins, principles, institutions, policies, and politics of U.S. National and California State Governments, including their constitutions. Emphasis is placed on the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and an understanding of the political processes and issues involved in the workings of government. This course fulfills the American Institutions requirement for the Associate Degree. It also is suitable for students wishing to expand their knowledge of local, state and national governments.

POLS 110H - Government of the United States Honors (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: ENGL 101
Advisory:It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: POLS 110 or POLS 110H)

This course surveys and analyzes the origins, principles, institutions, policies, and politics of U.S. National and California State Governments, including their constitutions. Emphasis is placed on the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and an understanding of the political processes and issues involved in the workings of government. This course fulfills the American Institutions requirement for the Associate Degree. It also is suitable for students wishing to expand their knowledge of local, state and national governments. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.

Total Semester Units:14.0† 
4th Semester
CHEM 130 - General Chemistry IM5.0
CHEM 130 - General Chemistry I (5.0 units)

Prerequisite: CHEM 120
Advisory: ENGL 101; MATH 175
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence designed for students intending to major in science and engineering. The lecture course covers classical and modern chemistry, with applications in stoichiometry and classical atomic theory of chemistry, periodic properties, gas laws, modern quantum theory of atomic and molecular structure and periodic properties, thermochemistry, liquids and solids, and solution chemistry. The laboratory introduces experimental chemistry with examples from all areas of chemistry.

PHY 213 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers - IIIM4.0
PHY 213 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers - III (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: PHY 211 and MATH 191
Advisory: MATH 250
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU (*Students will receive credit for one physics series: PHY 150 and PHY 160 or PHY 211, PHY 212, and PHY 213)

This course is the first of a three-semester sequence designed for students transferring to four-year institutions with majors in the sciences and engineering. Topics covered include electric fields, electric potential, current, circuits, magnetic fields, Gauss' law, Ampere's law, Maxwell's equations, induction, and electromagnetic waves.

US HISTORY (IGETC 4)GE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

All CSU campuses have a graduation requirement in American Institutions. Students may choose one of the following US History courses to partially fulfill this requirement: HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170.

Total Semester Units:12.0 
Summer 2
IGETC 6 - Foreign Language (UC ONLY)GE4.5

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
Courses in this area that also appear in IGETC 3B Humanities may be counted toward both areas.

Proficiency equivalent to two years of high school study in the same language or select one:
ASL 101, 102, 201;
CHIN 101, 102;
FR 101, 102, 201, 202;
JAPN 101, 102;
SPAN 101, 101S, 102, 102S, 201, 201H, 202
There are additional ways to satisfy the Language Other than English Requirement. Please see a counselor for advisement.

Total Semester Units:4.5 
5th Semester
CHEM 140 - General Chemistry IIM5.0
CHEM 140 - General Chemistry II (5.0 units)

Prerequisite: CHEM 130
Advisory: ENGL 101; MATH 180
Transfers to:UC, CSU

CHEM 140 is a continuation of CHEM 130. Theory and techniques of elementary physical chemistry are stressed. Emphasis is placed on the dynamics of chemical change using thermodynamics and reaction kinetics as the major tools. A thorough treatment of equilibrium is given, with many examples of acid/base, buffer, solubility, and complex ions. Entropy and free energy, electrochemistry, coordination compounds and a brief introduction to organic chemistry and nuclear chemistry are presented. Various analytical techniques used in modern chemistry are introduced. Descriptive chemistry of representative metallic and nonmetallic elements is included. The Laboratory introduces experimental chemistry with examples from areas of kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base and buffer preparation, differential titration, electrochemistry, and qualitative analysis. Modern instrumental methods are used in some exercises.

IGETC 5B - Biological SciencesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.
All labs or courses with labs are indicated by an '*':

Select one:
ANTH 101, 101H, 101L*; BIOL 101*, 105, 105L*, 111, 111L*, 120, 120L*, 200*, 201*, 206, 226*;
PSY 210, 210H.

IGETC 1C - Oral Communication (CSU Only)GE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
SPCH 100, 101, 101H, 120, 140

IGETC 7 - Ethnic StudiesGE3.0

Notes:
Students who started at Rio Hondo College beginning in Fall 2023 or later will be required to complete a course in Area 7. Students who started at Rio Hondo College prior to Fall 2023 and have maintained continuous enrollment will not be required to complete a course in Area 7 (instead, they will complete 9 units from at least two disciplines in Area 4). Please see a counselor for details.

Select one:
CHST 101
EGSS 110

Total Semester Units:14.0† 
Total Units for Physics for UC Transfer Degree (UCTP) AS-T program (Transfer to UC/CSU)77.0† 
Notes:
AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor.
Legend:
Some classes may have higher units
M Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement
GEGeneral Education course
ELElective Course
Advising Sheet:
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet.

Program Learning Outcomes

About RHC

Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.

Contact

Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601

Phone: (562) 692-0921
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