Physics
Build the math and physics foundation you need to transfer into a Bachelor of Science program — with every credit backed by Colorado’s Guaranteed Transfer Pathways.
About the Program
The Physics program at Trinidad State builds the lower-division coursework you need for a Bachelor of Science in Physics. The curriculum combines Colorado’s Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways courses with core physics and mathematics classes recommended by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, so your credits are built to transfer.
Because the degree follows the state’s GT Pathways framework, courses you complete here are guaranteed to count toward general education requirements at any Colorado public four-year college or university — helping you start your bachelor’s degree with junior standing.
Transfer Degree
AS Degree — Physics
Complete your general education and core physics and math coursework, then transfer with junior standing into a Bachelor of Science in Physics at any of TSC’s partner Colorado universities. Every course in this pathway is a GT Pathways or CDHE-recommended course, so credits are built to transfer from day one.
Program Cost
Where You Can Study
This program is offered at the following TSC campus locations.
Physics Transfer Major - Associate of Science
*Please note: if these credits are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the bachelor’s degree as elective credit toward graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied. **If you choose to take one of theses courses, it will put you over 60 credits. The courses will transfer but the extra credits may not. That is, the receiving institution may still require the completion of 60 credits for the major. For the most current information on this transfer articulation agreement, please go to the following website: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/students/attending-college/credit-transfer/transfer-degrees#:~:text=These%20agreements%20allow%20you%20to,a%20total%20of%20120%20credits). Click any semester to see the full course list.
Semester One
English composition alongside three rigorous STEM courses — Calculus I, General Chemistry, and Calculus-Based Physics.
- ENG 1021 – English Composition I: GT-CO1 (3 credits)
- MAT 2410 – Calculus I: GT-MA1 (5 credits) (Course Pre-/Co-Req: Algebra & pre Cal) (fall only)
- CHE 1111 – General College Chemistry I with Lab: GT-SC1 (5 credits)
- PHY 2111 – Physics: Calculus-Based I with Lab: GT-SC1 (5 credits)
Semester Two
English Composition II, Calculus II, and Calculus-Based Physics II, rounded out by a computer science or chemistry course.
- ENG 1022 – English Composition II: GT-CO1 (3 credits)
- MAT 2420 – Calculus II: GT-MA1 (5 credits) (Course Pre-/Co-Req: MAT 2410)
- PHY 2112 – Physics: Calculus-Based II with Lab: GT-SC1 (5 credits)
Choose one: (4-5 credits)
- CSC 1060 – Computer Science I: (Language)
- CHE 1112* – General College Chemistry II with Lab: GT-SC1
Semester Three
Calculus III, two arts and humanities electives, and a social and behavioral science elective.
Choose one: (4–5 credits)
- MAT 2430* – Calculus III: GT-MA1 (Course Pre-/Co-Req: MAT 2420)
- MAT 2431* – Calculus III with Engineering Applications: GT-MA1
Choose one: (3 credits) (AH1, AH2, AH3, AH4 — additional GT courses available)
- ART 1111 – Art History Ancient to Medieval GT-AH1
- HUM 1022 – Humanities: Medieval-Modern: GT-AH2
- HUM 1023 – Humanities: Modern World: GT-AH2
- LIT 1015 – Introduction to Literature I: GT-AH2
- LIT 2001 – World Literature to 1600: GT-AH2
- MUS 1020 – Music Appreciation: GT-AH1
Choose one: (3 credits) (AH1, AH2, AH3, AH4 — additional GT courses available)
- MUS 1021 – Music History Medieval thru Classical: GT-AH1
- MUS 1022 – Music History Early Romantic Period to the Present: GT-AH1
- MUS 1025 – History of Jazz: GT-AH1
- PHI 1011 – Intro to Philosophy: GT-AH3
- PHI 1012 – Ethics: GT-AH3
- PHI 1013 – Logic: GT-AH3
Choose one: (3 credits) (SS1, SS2, SS3 — additional GT courses available)
- ECO 2001 – Principles of Macroeconomics: GT-SS1
- ECO 2002 – Principles of Microeconomics: GT-SS1
- PSC 2020 – Introduction to Political Science: GT-SS1
- PSC 1011 – American Government: GT-SS1
- GEO 1005 – World Regional Geography: GT-SS2
- PSY 1001 – General Psychology I: GT-SS3
Semester Four
Differential equations and modern physics, rounded out by a history elective and an arts and humanities elective.
- MAT 2560* – Differential Equations: GT-MA1 (3 credits)
- PHY 2113* – Physics III: Calculus-Based Modern Physics (3 credits)
Choose one: (3 credits) (HI1 — additional GT courses available)
- HIS 1310 – Western Civilization:Antiquity-1650: GT-HI1
- HIS 1320 – Western Civilization: 1650-Present: GT-HI1
- HIS 1110 – The World: Antiquity-1500: GT-HI1
- HIS 1120 – The World: 1500-Present: GT-HI1
- HIS 1210 – US History to Reconstruction: GT- HI1
- HIS 1220 – US History since the Civil War:GT-HI1
Choose one: (3 credits) (AH1, AH2, AH3, AH4 — additional GT courses available)
- ART 1110 – Art Appreciation: GT-AH1
- HUM 1021 – Humanities: Early Civilization: GT-AH2
- SPA 2011 – Spanish Language III: GT-AH4
- SPA 2012 – Spanish Language IV: GT-AH4
- THE 1005 – Theatre Appreciation: GT-AH1
- THE 2012 – Development of Theatre Restoration to Modern: GT-AH1
Where Your Credits Transfer
Trinidad State has a statewide articulation agreement for Physics with the following Colorado four-year institutions. Completing the AS degree here fulfills general education requirements and grants upper-division status at these schools.
Where You'll Go
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Contact Us
Have questions about this program? Reach out to a faculty or staff member.
- TitleDean of Instruction
- DepartmentNursing
- LocationTrinidad, Colorado • 118 Davis
- EmailLoriRae.Hamilton@trinidadstate.edu