Texas A&M University-Commerce and Grayson County College

Physics Major – non teaching - Math Associates Degree

Common Questions and Answers:

  1. This guide specifies that I complete the Mathematics Associate Degree at Grayson. Is this the only Associate degree that will transfer to A&M-Commerce.
  1. No. After looking at the current Associate Degree programs at Grayson, the math and engineering programs best match the physics curriculum at A&M-Commerce. There is a similar transfer sheet for the engineering associate degree.
  1. Must I complete the associate degree before I transfer? Why would I want to complete that program?
  1. As mentioned above, transferring credits can be a tricky business and requires careful planning. Since you started at Grayson, there is an advantage in having the associate degree in-hand, and the transferability of courses has been worked out. If your situation has changed since you entered Grayson and it is not convenient to continue there, you should contact the A&M-Commerce advisor to work out the details before you make a final decision.
  1. What is meant by "advanced courses or advanced hours" and why cannot I take some of my advanced courses at Grayson?
  1. Community colleges cannot offer courses for "advanced credit" which is associated with courses normally taken by juniors and seniors. At A&M-Commerce these courses have course numbers beginning with a 3 or a 4. Example Phys 321 is an advanced physics course.
  1. Why must I take at least 60 hours at A&M-Commerce in getting a Bachelors Degree?
  1. The Coordinating Board of Texas specifies that 60 hours must be taken at a senior institution (University). It is possible (not recommended) that a few of these 60 hours could be taken at some other University but A&M-Commerce has specific residency requirements for total hours and advanced hours which must be completed at A&M-Commerce.
  1. This Transfer Agreement specifies a Physics Major – non teaching. What if I want to teach, will this program not work?
  1. A&M-Commerce has many degree programs including preparing persons to teach at the elementary and secondary level. The degree requirements for teaching physics are different from those of this program which is designed to prepare students for industrial employment or further study in physics.
  1. Must I have both a major and a minor? Is mathematics the only minor that will fit this program?
  1. Bachelors degrees at A&M-Commerce require a major and at least a minor or some special combined "broadfield" major. These "broadfield" majors usually involve more hours and are specific to certain career paths. Mathematics is a common minor for physics majors because math is such an important tool in physics. Other minors like computer science are fairly common and students obtained minors in business, music, …

Click here to return to physics home page