The Bachelor of Science in Physics

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

See General Education Requirements in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.

Physics majors may meet the Breadth Area B2 requirement by completing BIOL 151.

Option in General Physics

HIST 130 may be used to fulfill Breadth Area C1, C2, or C3 requirements; POLS 155 may be used to fulfill any one of the Breadth Area D1, D2, or D3 requirements; and HCSV 451 may be used to fulfill Area E requirements.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See "Diversity Requirement" in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education Requirements.

U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals: 6 units

See "U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals" under "Bachelor's Degree Requirements". For this major, this requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155 or approved equivalents.

HIST 130 may be used to fulfill Breadth Area C1, C2, or C3 requirements; POLS 155 may be used to fulfill any one of the Breadth Area D1, D2, or D3 requirements.

Literacy Requirement:

See Math and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 70-81 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

Major Core Program: 46 units

Lower-Division Requirements: 36 units

9 courses required:

Upper-Division Requirements: 10 units

4 courses required:

Major Option Course Requirements: 24-35 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.

The Option in Professional Physics: 24-25 units

This option is for students who intend to pursue graduate study in physics or related fields or who plan to enter careers in technical fields.

Option Core: 9 units

3 courses required:

Advising Pattern Course Requirements: 15-16 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the advising pattern chosen. Students must select one of the following advising patterns to complete the Option in Professional Physics and major course requirements.

Advanced Study Pattern: 15 units

This option pattern is for students intending to pursue graduate study in physics or related fields. This is also suited to many technical careers.

5 courses required:

Applied Physics Pattern: 16 units

This option pattern is for students intending to pursue careers in applied physics, optics, telecommunications, or related fields.

6 courses required:

The Option in General Physics: 35 units

This option fulfills all requirements for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Science with a Concentration in Physics and a supplementary authorization in a second science. This option is also excellent preparation for students considering physics-related interdisciplinary fields. Students who choose this option should consult with their major advisor.

5 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 151	Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology		4.0	FS
Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 111 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction to biological molecules, bioenergetics, cellular structure and function, elements of molecular biology and genetics, and mechanisms of macroevolution and systematics. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001122)
BIOL 152	Principles of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology		4.0	SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 151 or faculty permission; recommend CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction to evolutionary history and biological diversity, microbes and protists, invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Form and function of plants and animals. Ecological principles. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001123)
GEOS 102	Physical Geology		3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: High school chemistry or physics is recommended; students with no previous science courses are advised to enroll in GEOS 101. No college credit for those who have passed GEOS 101. Physical and chemical processes in the earth, including origin and identification of rocks and minerals; earth's interior; movements and major features of the earth's crust; erosion and sedimentation; geological structures; topographic maps; mineral resources. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (004069)
GEOS 300	Earth Science		3.0	FA	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111; PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A or PHYS 341. An intermediate treatment of astronomy, meteorology, and oceanography, with emphasis on climate change and its impacts. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (004137)
PHYS 489T	Internship in Physics Teaching		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: PHYS 300B and faculty permission. This is a supervised internship in physics teaching which will take place in a local high school physics classroom. This course may be taken more than once, but a maximum of 3 units of any PHYS 289 may be counted toward the degree. This course cannot be used for the minor in physics. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (007448)

6 units required:

Any upper-division course in physics (except PHYS 489P and PHYS 489T) with approval of the credential advisor.

Breadth Requirements: 12 units

12 units required:

Any non-General Education courses in Chemistry (CHEM), Biology (BIOL), or Geoscience (GEOS). All 12 units must be selected from one department.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.