Physics

Academic support is provided through CCD's Excel Zone, which helps students succeed by offering a variety of learning opportunities. We are located on campus on the 4th floor of the Confluence building.

CCD Online offers fully online certificates and degrees, and individual online courses to help match your busy schedule. This program offers 100 percent of its degree either online or through a hybrid program.

Your first step is to see if online learning is right for you. Online and hybrid environments offer much more flexibility but require more self-direction and self-discipline. Certain work habits, learning styles and skills contribute to a successful online or hybrid learning experience.

Online Experience Questions?
303.352.6785 | TLC@ccd.edu

Some programs and/or courses may require additional fees in addition to the base tuition and fees. High-cost course fees are used to support the maintenance and development of the course labs and are embedded within your general tuition.

The following courses have additional fees: 

PHY 1105, 1111, 112, 2111, 2112

View the 2024-2025 Course Specific Fees

This program is eligible for federal financial aid.

Your first step is to connect with the Financial Aid office to discover how you can afford college. Our dedicated staff and support services help you wade through all the legal language and get you past the first hurdle to completing your educational goals.

In addition, CCD has $1,000,000 available in scholarships. Learn More!

This program is a guaranteed transfer (GT) program.

GT programs enable all college students to complete their first two years of college here at CCD and then transfer to any public college in Colorado as a junior. It is called the DWD program (Degrees with Designation). This program saves you money and time.

A Two-Year Degree from CCD Can Lead to a Four-Year Degree from:

• Colorado Mesa University
• Colorado State University – Ft. Collins
• Colorado State University – Pueblo
• Fort Lewis College
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs
• University of Colorado Denver
• University of Northern Colorado

Please speak with your program chair regarding internship opportunities.

What Can I Do with My Major?

Overall employment of physicists and astronomers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.

Physicists are projected to have employment growth in scientific research and development services, educational services, and healthcare and social assistance. The fast growth will result in only about 2,600 new jobs over the 10-year period.

Astronomy is a small occupation, and the fast growth will result in only about 200 new jobs over the 10-year period.

Job prospects with a degree in physics are more than just limited to teaching and research. The sky’s the limit for any job that involves problem-solving:

• Medicine
• Fusion
• Nuclear Engineering
• Teaching (high school physics)
• Science Journalism
• Energy Exploration
• Patent Attorney
• Consulting

How Much Can I Expect to Earn?

The median annual wage for astronomers with a doctoral degree was $127,930 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $56,500, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $183,500.

The median annual wage for physicists with a doctoral degree was $155,680 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $80,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $232,940.

The information provided here is by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.