Physics Program

The physics degree program at American River College instructs students on the scientific study of matter and energy, as well as the testing and formulation of laws that govern the behavior of the matter-energy continuum. Students who graduate the physics degree program may follow a career path in ecology, healthcare, archaeology, and more. Course instruction includes classes in classical and modern physics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, wave properties, nuclear processes, relativity and quantum theory, and more. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer physics program.

Learn more by requesting information now!

American River College

30 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA

American River College (ARC) is a two-year public college that is part of the Los Rios Community College District in the five-county region of Sacramento, California.  The other community colleges in this district include Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College.  ARC grants occupational certificates and technical education as well as associate's degrees.  There are also online classes and e-services available.  ARC offers excellent post-secondary education to students seeking to transfer to four-year institutions.

Known for its innovative programs, ARC is also one of the largest community colleges in California.  It transfers a significant number of students to UC Davis and California State University - Sacramento.

History

In 1942, Sacramento's Grant Union Junior College was opened to train civilians for service in World War II.  It grew as a technical college and the name was changed in 1945, and again in 1955, when it became American River Junior College District.  In 1965, the college was renamed American River College (ARC) and became part of the Los Rios Community College District. 

ARC began providing training for Sacramento police, sheriff, fire personnel, and the basic police academy at the Sacramento Regional Public Safety Training Center.

Academics

American River College follows the semester system, offering a fall, spring and summer semester.

In addition to running the Sacramento Regional Public Safety Training Center, ARC offers numerous programs of study on its main campus.

ARC Programs of Study:

• Behavioral & Social Sciences
• Computer Science & Information Technology
• English
• Fine & Applied Arts
• Health & Education
• Humanities
• Mathematics
• Physical Education & Athletics
• Science & Engineering
• Technical Education

Student Life

American River College serves a large and diverse student body, and offers many student programs and support services including:

• Accelerated College Education (ACE)
• CalWORKS (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids)
• Career Center
• Child Development Centers
• Cooperative Agencies Resources Education (CARE)
• Counseling Center
• Disabled Students Programs and Services
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Center
• EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services)
• Foster and Kinship Care Education - Independent Living Program
• Four Directions College Success Program (FDCSP)
• Honors Program
• Journey
• Learning Communities
• Learning Disabilities (LD) Program
• Learning Resource Center (LRC)
• Library
• Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program (MESA)
• Math Multimedia Learning Center (MMLC)
• Partnership to Assure College Entry (PACE)
• Puente Program
• Reading Across Disciplines (RAD)
• Reading Center
• Re-entry and Veterans Information Center
• Science Skills Center
• Tutorial Center
• Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)

There are many ARC campus events and recreational activities available to ARC students that include theatre and music performances, sports events, career fairs and workshops, as well as "College Hour," which offers a calendar of various talks, panels and discussions of timely issues.

Traditions

The "stately" oak tree is the college's official symbol and the beaver its official mascot (nicknamed "Igor" for "eager-beaver".)

Athletics

The American River College's Beaver Teams are active in many intercollegiate athletics including:

Men's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Soccer
• Water Polo
• Baseball
• Golf
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track & Field

 Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Softball
• Swimming
• Track & Field
• Tennis

Satellite Campuses

American River College has several Off-Campus Centers offering classes around the Sacramento metro area that include:

• Ethan Way Center
• Mather Center
• McClellan Center
• Natomas Center
• San Juan Center
• Twin Rivers Pre-Apprenticeship Training Center

Community Life

American River College's Community and Diversity Center Initiative (CDCI) was established to provide bridges between its students and the community. The CDCI offers resources for opportunities to meet other students and community members to build a support network.  Its mission is to help students and community expand and grow with "cross-cultural understanding, awareness and responsiveness."

Students Enrolled in the Physics Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. American River College offers an associate's degree program in physics.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, natural sciences managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.3% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $74.96
  • Average Annual Salary: $155910
• San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $96.35
  • Average Annual Salary: $200400

Physicists

Description

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, physicists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 120
  • Average Hourly Rate: $67.73
  • Average Annual Salary: $140870
• San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $55.69
  • Average Annual Salary: $115830

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Description

Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).