Physics is the most fundamental of all the sciences. Questions asked and problems solved by physicists form the foundation for all scientific inquiry. If you want to understand nature at its most fundamental level, you need to know a bit of physics. And there's no better place to start than Oakton.
Oakton's Department of Physics offers a technical physics course where you'll develop an understanding of basic physics principles: motion; light and optics; electricity and magnetism; and thermodynamics, including heat, temperature, pressure and volume of gasses, liquids and solids.
Oakton also offers a two-semester sequence of algebra-based courses that focus on all the topics listed above, but in more depth than the technical course. Students taking this two-course sequence might be considering careers in health-related fields, technical fields or may want to satisfy a general education requirement.
We also offer a three-semester sequence of calculus-based courses that cover the same topics as above but in even more depth while using calculus in addition to algebra and trigonometry. The third-semester course covers additional topics including special relativity and quantum mechanics. Students taking these courses typically plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue majors in physics, engineering, chemistry or other science and technology-related fields.
Finally, we offer a course in descriptive astronomy that covers topics such as why we have seasons; why we have lunar and solar eclipses; how we measure the temperature, size, chemical composition and distance to stars; properties and classifications of galaxies; Big Bang Theory; and what is dark matter and dark energy. This course is offered in both an online and face-to-face format.
If you plan to pursue a four-year degree in physics, we recommend our physics pre-major, which provides the smoothest transfer experience.
Oakton offers an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree for students intending to transfer into baccalaureate programs in fields such as engineering, mathematics or the sciences. Oakton’s A.S. degree is offered with emphasis for either Mathematics/Computer Science or Science majors.
Pre-majors are recommended for students planning to complete a Bachelor’s degree after transferring to a four-year institution and are designed for students who have not yet decided on a specific four-year college or university. Career options in this field reflect the salaries and opportunities available to students upon completing their Bachelor’s degree.
To see specific Transfer Path agreements that Oakton has made with partner universities, please see the Transfer Partnerships and Guides.
For additional support with transfer planning, including course selection and educational planning, please contact the office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success. The Career & Transfer Center (CTC) offers additional resources for students preparing to transfer to four-year colleges or universities.
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.
To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.
We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.
Learn more about your options for paying for your education
Chad Landrie, Chair
Professor of Chemistry
B.A. Monmouth College
Ph.D. University of Illinois at Chicago
[email protected]
847.376.7439
Office: 109, Lee Center, Des Plaines
John Carzoli
Professor of Physics
B.S. Beloit College
M.S. University of Oklahoma
Ph.D. University of Oklahoma
[email protected]
847.376.7042
Office: 302, Lee Center, Des Plaines
Theodore Gotis
Professor of Physics
B.S. Loyola University, Chicago
S.M. University of Chicago
[email protected]
847.635.1796
Office: 305, Lee Center, Des Plaines
Part-Time Faculty
Kenneth D'Aquila
Lecturer
B.S. Northwestern University
Ph.D. Northwestern University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: 100 Lee Center, Des Plaines
Stephen Dickman
Lecturer
B.S. University of Iowa
M.S. University of Iowa
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: 100 Lee Center, Des Plaines
Suleyman Tari
Lecturer
Ph.D. University of Illinois at Chicago
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: 100 Lee Center, Des Plaines
