The Physical Science Program provides students with the firm foundation in mathematics, science, and liberal arts necessary to transfer to and succeed in a baccalaureate degree program in astronomy, geology, meteorology, physics, and physical science. With appropriate further education, graduates may eventually find jobs in astronomical research and/or planetarium operations (astronomy), within the petroleum industry, mining industry, as an environmental consultant or lawyer, or within a government agency (geology), at the National Weather Service, as a weather researcher, or broadcasting (meteorology), or within research and development, inspection, testing, and quality control, or other production-related jobs (physics). Since the requirements of senior institutions and their degree programs vary widely, it is recommended that students choose an intended transfer institution as soon as possible and carefully align their course sequence with the program described in that institution’s catalog. The complete program is available at the Harrisburg and Lancaster campuses. Some of the required courses are available at the Gettysburg, Lebanon and York campuses.
General Education
ENGL 101 English Composition I 3
ENGL 102 English Composition II 3
COMM 101 Effective Speaking 3
Core A Elective 3
Core B Elective 3
Core B Elective 3
Core C CHEM 101 General Inorganic I 4
Core C PHYS 201 (or) PHYS 211 4
Core C MATH 121 (or) MATH 122 4
General Education Transfer Elective 3
Physical Education & Wellness 1
Major Requirements
CHEM 102 General Inorganic Chemistry/Qual. Analysis 4
GIS 141 Intro to Geographic Information Systems 3
PHYS 202 General Physics II (or) 4
PHYS 212 Physics: Engineers/Scientists II (4)
*Program Electives 8
Transfer Electives 9
This curriculum is designed to prepare graduates of the program to:
Transfer to and succeed in a Bachelor’s program
Demonstrate an understanding of scientific principles and concepts
Appreciate scientific accomplishments and how they affect technology, politics and society
Apply the scientific method to solve scientific problems
Demonstrate computer literacy in data manipulation, mining, and analysis
Perform technician work in a typical laboratory while following appropriate safety procedures
Effectively communicate results both orally and through written reports
Appreciate accomplishments in the arts and sciences
Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.
- ✔️ Flexible study schedule
- ✔️ Experienced teachers
- ✔️ Certificate upon completion
📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.
Apply for a Full-Ride Scholarship
Are you a future student and ready to apply to HACC?
By applying to HACC, you have the opportunity to apply for a full-ride scholarship! HACC will fund two years of your education – enough to complete your associate degree.
Thanks to the support of the HACC Foundation, the College is able to offer FREE money to support future students, like you, in reaching your educational goals. Six full-ride scholarships are available – one from each of the five campuses and one through HACC’s Virtual Learning Program.
Please note that current students are not eligible for the full-ride scholarships. However, there are more than 250 scholarships available for current students.
What should you know about the full-ride scholarship?
The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees for a full academic year.
The scholarship will automatically renew each term for up to six consecutive terms if you maintain your eligibility.
Once you apply to the College and receive a HACC ID and email address, you may apply for the full-ride scholarship. You do not have to register for classes before applying for the scholarship.
Are you eligible?
To be eligible, you must:
Apply to HACC
Take 12-15 credits each term for no more than six consecutive terms (two years)
Live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill or York county
Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0
Provide a 480 SAT reading score, 21 ACT or comparable scores on the College’s placement test
Maintain a GPA of 3.0 while enrolled at HACC
Participate in at least two HACC student organizations