Physics and Astronomy | BCTC

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    Physics & Astronomy

    What is Physics & Astronomy?

    Science to Success Scholarship 

    The Science to Success Scholarship awards $10,000 per year to eligible students for two years maximum.

    To learn more about eligibility, requirements, and to apply, please visit the scholarship webpage (new window).

    Additional Information

    • Astronomy Notes: An online textbook with a lot of information you can use to supplement your textbook.
    • University of California Astronomy Education and Outreach: Another excellent content resource for both astronomy courses.
    • The Nine Planets: Overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of the planets, moons and other objects in our solar system.
    • AstronomyOnline: "I designed this website to be a resource, a first stop for those who are interested in the subject of Astronomy."
    • Astronomy Picture of the Day: New views daily, very cool.
    • NASA: Official site for The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA, for short). Your tax dollars paying many really, really smart people to help figure out what's out there.
    • Sky & Telescope: Website for Sky and Telescope magazine showing what you can observe during the week. Their main page has news and tools relating to astronomy.
    • Your Sky: Virtual telescope. Set up your own skymap.
    • Akkana's Astronomy Page: Lot's of useful stuff and links. Including a Jupiter applet and a Saturn applet... very handy.
    • Heavens Above for Lexington - Link has times and dates for satellites passing over head. Good planning utilities for making an observing session for planets, stars, and comets.
    • Space Weather: Current sun status, aurora, and space links.
    • UK MacAdam Student Observatory: The home page of UK's observatory. The site includes a list of programs open to the public.
    • Astronomy 2e via openstax: An online textbook for additional information about the topics covered in AST 101, AST 191, and AST 192.

    Science to Success Scholarship 

    The Science to Success Scholarship awards $10,000 per year to eligible students for two years maximum.

    To learn more about eligibility, requirements, and to apply, please visit the scholarship webpage (new window).

    What are my Career Choices?

    • Physicist
    • Astronomer
    • Biophysicist
    • Biochemist
    • Chemist
    • Materials Scientist
    Physicists and Astronomers Outlook Handbook (new window)

    What are my Degree, Diploma, or Certificate Options?

    Course Descriptions

    Covers the life histories of stars, the nature of black holes and quasars, the origin of the universe, planets of the solar system, and the possibilities for extraterrestrial life.  Includes observation-based activities.  A one-semester introductory course for non-science majors.  Credit is not given to students who have received credit for AST 191 or AST 192.

    Lecture: 3 credit hours (45 contact hours).

    Emphasizes the nature, origin, and evolution of planets, satellites and other objects in the Solar System. Includes historical astronomy, the naked eye phenomena of the sky, and modern solar system discoveries made by spacecraft. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours)

    Emphasizes the Sun and the universe outside the Solar System. Has a principle theme of the origin and evolution of stars, galaxies and the universe at large. Includes topics of black holes, quasars and the big bang model of the universe. Prerequisite: (MT 120 or 122) or a minimum ACT math score of 18. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

    Involves performance of exercises in both planetary and stellar astronomy, including Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion and Newton's Laws of Motion. Examines the functions and limitations of different types of telescopes and mounts. Includes observation of the sun, moon, planets, binaries, galaxies, and nebulae. Prerequisite or concurrent: AST101 or AST191 or AST192; MT120 or two years of High School Algebra; or consent of the instructor. Laboratory: 1 credit.
    Focuses on the conceptual principles of mechanics of solids, liquids, gases, heat, and sound using some algebra. Credit is not given to students who already have credit for PHY 201 or PHY 231. Companion lecture to PHY 161 laboratory. Prerequisite: KCTCS placement in College Algebra or completion of Intermediate Algebra. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).
    Focuses on the conceptual principles of electricity, magnetism, optics, atomic, and nuclear physics using some algebra. Credit is not given to students who already have credit for PHY 203 or PHY 232. Companion lecture to PHY 162 laboratory. Prerequisite: KCTCS placement in College Algebra or completion of Intermediate Algebra. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).
    Investigates concepts introduced in PHY 151 through experiments in classical mechanics and thermal physics. Prerequisite or concurrent: PHY 151. Laboratory: 1 credit hour (30 contact hours).
    Investigates concepts introduced in PHY 152 through experiments in electricity, magnetism, light, atoms, and nuclei. Prerequisite or concurrent: PHY 152. Laboratory: 1 credit hour (30 contact hours).
    Surveys mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics as applied to practical systems. Prerequisites: MAT 85 or MT 115 or equivalent math placement score or consent of instructor. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours). Laboratory: 1 credit (30 contact hours).
    Introduces the basic concepts of motion, forces, work, energy, power and waves through experimentation, as applied in electricity and magnetism, optics, atomic and nuclear physics. Prerequisites: KCTCS placement in College Algebra or completion of Intermediate Algebra. Laboratory: 2 credit hours (60 contact hours).
    Focuses on the mechanics of matter as governed by Newton's Laws; by the conservation laws of energy, momentum, and angular momentum; and thermal processes using algebra and basic trigonometry. Companion lecture to PHY 202 laboratory. Credit is not given to students who have already completed PHY 231. Prerequisite: MAT 150 or higher or an ACT math score of 25 or higher. Lecture: 3 credit hours (45 contact hours). Discussion: 1 credit hour (15 contact hours).
    Enhances concepts introduced in PHY 201 through experiments in classical mechanics and thermal physics. Prerequisite or concurrent: PHY 201 or equivalent. Laboratory: 1 credit hour (30 contact hours).
    Focuses on electromagnetic phenomena, circuits, optics, and an introduction to modern physics using algebra and basic trigonometry. Companion lecture to PHY 204 laboratory. Credit is not given to students who have already completed PHY 232. Prerequisite: PHY 201 or equivalent. Lecture: 3 credit hours (45 contact hours). Discussion: 1 credit hour (15 contact hours).
    Enhances concepts introduced in PHY 203 through experiments in electricity, magnetism and optics. Prerequisite or concurrent: PHY 203 or equivalent. Laboratory: 1 credit hour (30 contact hours).
    Focuses on the mechanics of matter as governed by Newton's Laws and by the conservation laws of energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum using calculus and trigonometry. Companion lecture to PHY 241 laboratory. Pre-requisite or concurrent: MT 185 or MA 114 or equivalent. Lecture: 3 credit hours (45 contact hours). Discussion: 1 credit hour (15 contact hours).
    Focuses on electromagnetic phenomena, circuits, and optics using vector calculus. Companion to lecture to PHY 242 laboratory. Prerequisite: PHY 231. Prerequisite or co-requisite MT 275 or MA 213 or equivalent. Lecture: 3 credit hours (45 contact hours). Discussion: 1 credit hour (15 contact hours).
    Enhances concepts introduced in PHY 231 through a complement of experiments relating to motion, Newton's laws, rotation, and energy conservation principles. Prerequisite or concurrent: PHY 231. Laboratory: 1 credit hour (30 contact hours).
    Enhances concepts introduced in PHY 232 through a complement of experiments probing electromagnetic phenomena, circuits, and optics. Prerequisites or concurrent: PHY 232. Laboratory: 1 credit hour (30 contact hours).

    Length of Program

    You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.

    This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.