Schools Associate's in Physics at Community College: Worth It?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the value of obtaining an Associate's degree in Physics from a community college (C.C.) compared to self-learning. Participants share experiences of transferring to universities after completing their degrees, emphasizing that an Associate's in Physics typically involves a curriculum designed to prepare students for further studies in science or engineering. Key courses include advanced mathematics (Calculus), General Chemistry, and introductory Physics, which are essential for progressing to a bachelor's degree. The time commitment for completing the degree is noted, with the possibility of needing remedial math courses extending the duration. Overall, the conversation highlights the structured educational path provided by community colleges versus the potential for self-directed learning.
burgerusmc
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Anyone on here do an Associate's in Physics at a C.C.? Was the cost worth the knowledge you gained? Or would self learning have been the way to go? Thanks.
 
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burgerusmc said:
Anyone on here do an Associate's in Physics at a C.C.? Was the cost worth the knowledge you gained? Or would self learning have been the way to go? Thanks.

I went to community college and transferred to university for physics.

What do you intend to do with an associates in physics? It would probably take three years to get, assuming you need remedial courses in mathematics. Do you plan to transfer to university, go to graduate school?
 
Associate Degree in Physics would be most typical a set of courses to be able to continue onto most undergraduate science or engineering educations. Nearly all such undergraduate degrees require Calculus 1,2,3; one year of General Chemistry, Beginning Physics series of courses on Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, and "Modern Physics"; and maybe one or two Biology intro courses. That is typically what you would have taken to earn the A.A. degree in (for example) Physics.

Expect the A.A. degree to also include maybe one combination course of linear algebra and differential equations.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...
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