Physics / Physical Sciences Which Physics Course Should I Take? We in the Physics Department at Butler Community College believe that the primary reason many people believe that science is "hard" is a mismatch of the person's mathematical abilities to the physics course, not the subject material. Enroll in the best course for your background in math as well as what is required for your major. Choosing a course that has less math than you can handle could cause boredom. Alternatively, choosing a course you are not prepared for can only cause frustration.   If you have any question about which course is probably the best for you, contact one of the instructors in the physics department. We are here to make your Butler experience one to remember a lifetime. Applied Physics - This course is designed as an introduction to physics. We use math that involves formulas and simple calculations. Basic Physics - An identical course to Applied, but has activities that match the lecture. We use the same math as Applied, but graphing and simple algebra are also included. General Physics I and General Physics II - These courses are designed for those who understand and can use algebra at the college level. We recommend that either a recent Algebra II or College Algebra course have been taken. Trigonometry in high school will suffice, but some review may be necessary. College Physics I and College Physics II - These courses are designed for the science major. Having Calculus I or higher is really needed for these courses. Being enrolled in  Calculus II is also of great benefit. General Physical Science - Understanding simple algebra and using formulas is necessary in this class. Graphing and interpretation of those graphs is also important. Descriptive Astronomy - Reading charts and using formulas are needed for this course. Physical Geology - Graphing, reading charts, and performing simple calculations are needed for this course.