Physics major
Transfer major | mhcc.edu/Science

Faculty Adviser
David Faust: 503-491-7358 | Room AC2563 | David.Faust@mhcc.edu
Physics is the study of the structure and organization of the universe. It encompasses the observation of forces and matter, of motion, of cause and effect, and of the intrinsic properties of space and time. Physics analyzes these concepts in detail and uses them to synthesize models of complex phenomena.
Curricular Outcomes
At the completion of this curriculum, students should be able to:
- Retain and apply critical physics concepts while enrolled in the curriculum and upon transfer
- Work cooperatively, use equipment and instruments properly and carefully analyze data in the laboratory setting
- Demonstrate mastery of physics concepts
- Transition conceptual material into accurate mathematical models
- Utilize calculus-based mathematics to solve physics problems
Students interested in pursuing the Physics major can complete the following courses toward the Science requirement and/or electives on the AS (recommended), AAOT, ASOT-B, AGS or ASLA degrees. Students are highly encouraged to work with a university transfer adviser to ensure transferability of courses. Admitted students may also log on to Navigate to start the process of building an academic plan based on this major and can notify an adviser for review.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PH211 | General Physics with Calculus I | 5 |
PH212 | General Physics with Calculus II | 5 |
PH213 | General Physics with Calculus III | 5 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PH109C | Observational Astronomy | 3 |
PH121 | General Astronomy | 3 |
PH122 | General Astronomy | 3 |
PH123 | General Astronomy | 3 |
MTH261 | Linear Algebra | 4 |
STAT243Z | Elementary Statistics I (Course offered online) | 4 |
STAT244 | Elementary Statistics II | 4 |
Transfer Schools

Exploring physics as your major? Learn more with MHCC's Career Coach, which covers: skills needed for each career, wages, employment rates, and live job postings in the Greater Multnomah County Area.
Careers related to physics:
The following shows just one example of how students can complete an Associate of Science degree while also taking lower-division physics courses. Be sure to work with an MHCC adviser and the transfer institution you'd like to attend to ensure correct courses are being taken. Not all courses are offered every term. Click on a course number to see what term(s) the course is typically offered.
- Full time = 12 or more credits per term; takes about 2 years to complete.
- 3/4 time = 9 to 11 credits per term; takes about 3 years to complete.
- Part time = 6 to 8 credits per term; takes about 4 years to complete.
Sample Plan ( full time)
First Quarter | Credits | |
---|---|---|
CH221 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
MTH251 | Calculus I: Differential Calculus | 5 |
WR121Z | Composition I (Course offered online) | 4 |
Arts & Letters | 3-4 | |
Credits | 18 | |
Second Quarter | ||
CH222 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
MTH252 | Calculus II: Integral Calculus | 5 |
WR122Z or WR227Z |
Composition II (Course offered online) or Technical Writing (Course offered online) |
4 |
Social Science | 3-4 | |
Credits | 17 | |
Third Quarter | ||
CH223 | General Chemistry III | 5 |
MTH253 | Calculus III | 4 |
Elective / university requirement | 3 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Fourth Quarter | ||
MTH254 | Calculus IV: Multivariable/ Vector Calculus Part 1 | 5 |
PH211 | General Physics with Calculus I | 5 |
Arts & Letters | 3-4 | |
Credits | 13 | |
Fifth Quarter | ||
MTH256 | Differential Equations | 5 |
PH212 | General Physics with Calculus II | 5 |
Social Science | 3-4 | |
Elective / university requirement | 3 | |
Credits | 16-17 | |
Sixth Quarter | ||
PH213 | General Physics with Calculus III | 5 |
Oral Communication (COMM111 recommended) | 3-4 | |
Health & Physical Education | 3 | |
Elective / university requirement | 3 | |
Credits | 14-15 | |
Total Credits | 90-92 |
PH104 Descriptive Astronomy
Credits 4Summer
Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH020; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.
Descriptive treatment of the history of astronomy which includes planetary and lunar motion, moon phases, constellations, stars and galaxies. Topics include the origin of the solar system, asteroids, meteors, comets, stellar evolution, galaxies, black holes, quasars and cosmology. An accompanying laboratory is used for demonstrations, experiments and projects as well as outdoor observations.
This course fulfills: Lab Science
PH109C Observational Astronomy
Credits 3Summer
A course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of observing the night sky. Students learn to use telescopes, star charts and photographic equipment to investigate the moon, planets, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. Evening field trips away from the Portland light dome are required.
This course fulfills: Non-Lab Science
PH121 General Astronomy
Credits 3Fall
Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH020; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.
Descriptive treatment of the history of astronomy including the contributions of Kepler, Galileo and Newton; telescopes, light and the spectrum; Earth as a planet and the moon. This course is intended primarily for the general college student who is not majoring in a physical science. The planetarium is used extensively and is supplemented by occasional viewing of celestial objects with a telescope.
This course fulfills: Non-Lab Science
PH122 General Astronomy
Credits 3Winter
Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH020; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.
Descriptive treatment of the solar system including the terrestrial planets, the Jovian planets, comets, meteors, asteroids and meteorites. The planetarium star projector is used in conjunction with star charts to help students locate planets and other celestial objects in the night sky. Course may be taken out of sequence.
This course fulfills: Non-Lab Science
PH123 General Astronomy
Credits 3Spring
Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH020; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.
Descriptive treatment of stars and their evolution, the sun nebulae, star clusters, the Milky Way, galaxies, black holes, neutron stars, quasars and the expanding universe. Course may be taken out of sequence.
This course fulfills: Non-Lab Science
PH201 General Physics I
Credits 5Fall
Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH112/MTH112Z; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.
Physical laws and theories are developed and discussed. This course is intended primarily for the general college student who is not majoring in a physical science. The following topics are developed: vectors, one- and two-dimensional kinematics, dynamics, uniform circular motion, work, energy, impulse and momentum, rotational kinematics and dynamics, static equilibrium, gravitation and fluid statics. A scientific calculator is required. A graphing calculator may be required.
This course fulfills: Lab Science
PH202 General Physics II
Credits 5Winter
Registration Requirement: PH201.
The following topics are developed: simple harmonic motion, temperature, thermal expansion, thermal energy and phase changes, gas laws and thermodynamics, waves, sound, interference, reflection, refraction and geometric optics. A scientific calculator is required. A graphing calculator may be required.
This course fulfills: Lab Science
PH203 General Physics III
Credits 5Spring
Registration Requirement: PH202.
The following topics are developed: electric forces and fields, potential and potential energy, electric circuits, magnetic forces and fields, electromagnetic induction and alternating current circuits. A scientific calculator is required. A graphing calculator may be required.
This course fulfills: Lab Science
PH211 General Physics with Calculus I
Credits 5Fall
Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W; and MTH251; each with a grade of "C" or better, or placement above stated course levels.
General Physics with Calculus includes the following topics: motion in one and two dimensions, particle dynamics, work, energy, momentum, conservation of energy and momentum, collision theory, rotational kinematics and dynamics, rigid body equilibrium, universal gravitation and fluid statics are treated using practical problems and examples. Emphasis is placed on logical reasoning, thorough understanding of the principles and the ability to successfully solve numerical problems. Vector notation is employed extensively. The theory and results of classical mechanics are used to predict the behavior of actual physical systems and explain phenomena commonly encountered in the real world.
This course fulfills: Lab Science
PH212 General Physics with Calculus II
Credits 5Winter
Registration Requirement: PH211.
Provides prospective science and engineering majors with a thorough basic knowledge of thermodynamics, geometrical and physical optics, simple harmonic motion and wave motion.
This course fulfills: Lab Science
PH213 General Physics with Calculus III
Credits 5Spring
Registration Requirement: PH212.
Provides engineering and science majors with those topics within the scope of electricity and magnetism.
This course fulfills: Lab Science
Course offered online
Cultural Literacy course