Study in One of the Nation's Largest Two-Year Physics Departments
The CCSF Physics Department offers a comprehensive program with a wide range of courses serving students throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Our full-service physics program provides students with diverse opportunities to study physics, whether they are preparing for transfer, pursuing a STEM degree, or simply exploring the subject. Students come from across the Bay Area and around the world to take advantage of the breadth, accessibility, and quality of our physics offerings.
About the Physics Programs
We offer the majority of our classes at the Ocean Campus but also support physics classes at the Chinatown/North Beach, Mission Campus, South East Campus, and Online.
Physics 2.0 – AS-T Degree
The Associate of Science in Physics 2.0 for Transfer provides a broad background in fundamental physics through introductory course work with a full complement of laboratory courses. Physics graduates are prepared to transfer to California State University, University of California, and other universities for career paths in high tech industries, education, management consulting, medicine, and law. Physics majors develop strong mathematical, analytical, and laboratory skills, and a solid understanding of the fundamental physical laws that govern the universe.
Learn More About the Physics 2.0 – AS-T Degree
Physics – Certificate of Achievement
CCSF's Certificate of Achievement in Physics provides a broad background in fundamental physics through introductory course work with a full complement of laboratory courses. Students earning this certificate will develop strong mathematical, analytical, and laboratory skills while better equipping themselves to approach concepts and problems presented in upper division classes. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the basic laws of nature to better assess problems facing society. All of the courses in this certificate will be part of CCSF's AS and AS-T degrees in Physics and are suitable for students planning to transfer into university programs to deepen their studies of not just physics but computer science and engineering. This certificate is also designed for students planning to pursue pre-medical and pre-law educational pathways.
Learn More About Physics – Certificate of Achievement
Complete GE and Prerequisites
Many of our courses can be used to satisfy general education requirements, as preparation for the Diagnostic Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy programs. Additionally, our lower-division physics coursework will help you prepare for transfer to the university to pursue majors in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, materials science and engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, civil engineering and operations research, bioengineering, integrative biology, molecular environmental biology, molecular and cell biology, environmental sciences, chemistry, chemical biology, earth and planetary science, atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and architecture.
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Nobel Prize in Physics 2025
October 7, 2025
CNN — John Clarke, Michel Devoret and John Martinis will share the prize for their discovery of a phenomenon called quantum mechanical tunneling in an electrical circuit, an advance that laid the foundation for quantum computing and other related technology.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/07/science/nobel-prize-physics-clarke-devoret-martinis-quantum-mechanics-intl
STOCKHOLM (AP) — John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis won the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for research on the weird world of sub-atomic quantum tunneling that advances the power of everyday digital communications and computing.
https://apnews.com/article/nobel-prize-physics-e74ee2acf652259cf268cc1d48873e14
SCIAM — John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis shared the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for their work showing how bizarre microscopic quantum effects can infiltrate our large-scale, everyday world
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025-nobel-prize-in-physics-goes-to-researchers-who-brought-quantum/