Transfer of community college/university course credits in physics

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the transfer of community college or university course credits in physics for students aiming to apply for master's programs in computational physics or earth sciences. It highlights that the acceptance of these credits by US and European universities depends on the registrar of the institution to which the credits are being transferred. Most community colleges primarily offer first-year physics courses, and in some states, they are integrated with state university systems, facilitating easier credit transfers. The receiving institution's policies ultimately dictate the evaluation of transfer credits.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of community college course structures
  • Familiarity with transfer credit policies in US and European universities
  • Basic knowledge of physics course content
  • Awareness of computational physics and earth sciences programs
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the transfer credit policies of specific universities for physics programs
  • Investigate community colleges in Virginia offering physics courses
  • Explore the curriculum of master's programs in computational physics and earth sciences
  • Learn about the evaluation process for transfer credits at different institutions
USEFUL FOR

Students transitioning from computer science to physics, academic advisors, and anyone interested in understanding the credit transfer process for advanced degrees in computational physics or earth sciences.

veil
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Hi people, I got data science trainer job in Reston, Virginia. I am thinking of joining any community college/evening college/university courses in physics so that I can use these credits when I apply for my masters in computational physics/earth sciences. I am from computer science background so thinking of doing these courses would include physics credits in my profile. Do US/European universities consider these credits when a student apply for the physics/earth science program?
 
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The registrar of the place you want to transfer the credits into can tell you what they will and will not accept. Note that most community colleges do not offer much beyond 1st year physics.
 
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In some states, community colleges are part of the state university system, or closely coordinated. This makes it easy to transfer course credit from a CC to a state university. The course descriptions and catalog numbers may even be the same.

Otherwise, the receiving institution evaluates courses for transfer credit according to their policies. When I was department chairman at a small 4-year college, one of my duties was doing those evaluations.
 
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Thank you for the advice.
 

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