Path to Astrophysics

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>I am a 42 year old non-traditional student currently working on my Associates on Science at my local community college. Once I finish I am transferring to 4 year school for my B.S. in Physics then on to graduate school.</p>

<p>I am picking up what premajor that I can before transferring but there is not a lot to choose from at the CC. Also due to not using math for over 20 years I am having to retrain my mind in math and will only be able to finish Calculus I before transferring. I am excellent in math but when it hasn't been used in 20 years I forgot almost everything. As it stands I will be behind the 8 ball and having to take a bunch a premajor requirements when I get to the 4-year university. As it stands I looks like I may be there for 3 years which is no problem for me as I want see this through until the end. </p>

<p>I just wanted to get feedback from the community on anything I may have overlooked. I looked into a Space Science degree which is more Engineering oriented but there will still be a bunch of 1st and 2nd year classes I will have to take. </p>

<p>Any constructive advise would be awesome.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Just about any Math or Physics program during the first 2 years/Associate degree will have the following courses (listing only the technical ones):</p>

<p>Calculus I (derivatives, limits and all that mess)
Calculus II (integrals and all that mess)
Calculus III (vectors, multiple integrals, gradients, Green’s Theorem and all that mess)
Linear Algebra
Differential Equations
Physics I (mechanics and all that mess)
Physics II (electricity/magnetism and all that mess)
Chemistry I
Physics Lab and Chemistry Lab
Introductory Computer Programming</p>

<p>Now the slight “gotcha” is some community colleges offer a Physics III or Modern Physics course and some do not. Add on to the fact that at some 4-year schools, Physics III or Modern Physics is a 300-level (junior) course and it is not guaranteed that the 4-year school will take a Physics III or Modern Physics taken at a community college. You will have to ask the 4-year school on that.</p>