Physics Major
The course requirements for a physics major are divided into three groups:
- Core Courses are physics courses which form the core of the major.
- Support and Elective Courses are courses in other academic disciplines that are needed to understand physics.
- General Education Courses needed by every educated person.
The courses listed below are the current academic requirements for graduation. However, students are bound by the course requirements in effect at the date of their matriculation unless they file a general academic petition to substitute the current course requirements.
For a description of the contents of these courses see the Catalog listings.
Required Core Courses
A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required in core courses, including option courses for the major, in order to receive a degree in physics.
The following 61 units of courses are required of all physics majors.
| Course Number | Course Name | Units |
| PHY 131 | General Physics |
3
|
| PHY 131L | General Physics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 132 | General Physics |
3
|
| PHY 132L | General Physics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 133 | General Physics |
3
|
| PHY 133L | General Physics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 234 | General Physics |
3
|
| PHY 234L | General Physics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 235 | Elementary Modern Physics |
3
|
| PHY 235L | Elementary Modern Physics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 308 | Fundamentals of Mathematical Physics |
4
|
| PHY 309 | Fundamentals of Mathematical Physics |
4
|
| PHY 314 | Physics of Electricity and Magnetic Phenomena |
4
|
| PHY 315 | Physics of Electricity and Magnetic Phenomena |
4
|
| PHY 321 | Mechanics |
4
|
| PHY 322 | Mechanics |
4
|
| PHY 333 | Thermal Physics |
4
|
| PHY 401 | Quantum Mechanics |
4
|
| PHY 402 | Quantum Mechanics |
4
|
| PHY 430L | Advanced Physics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 431L | Solid State Physics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 432L | Nuclear Physics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 463 | Undergraduate Seminar |
2
|
Elective Core Courses
Students must select 8 units of courses from the list below. A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required in core courses, including option courses for the major, in order to receive a degree in physics.
| Course Number | Course Name | Units |
| PHY 304 | Electronics for Scientists |
3
|
| PHY 304L | Electronics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 400 | Special Study for Upper Division Students (Up to 4 units total) |
1-2
|
| PHY 409 | Computational Physics |
4
|
| PHY 417 | Optics |
3
|
| PHY 417L | Optics Laboratory |
1
|
| PHY 441 | Internship in Physics (Up to 4 units total) |
2
|
| PHY 461 | Senior Project |
2
|
| PHY 462 | Senior Project |
2
|
Support and Elective Courses
The following 57 units of courses are required of all physics majors.
| Course Number | Course Name | Units |
| CHM 122/122L | General Chemistry |
3/1
|
| CHM 123/123L | General Chemistry |
3/1
|
|
CS 128
CS 125 |
Introduction to C++
or FORTRAN |
4
4 |
| MAT 115 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II |
4
|
| MAT 116 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus III |
4
|
| MAT 214 | Calculus of Several Variables |
4
|
| MAT 215 | Calculus of Several Variables |
4
|
| MAT 216 | Differential Equations |
4
|
| Advanced Electives * |
12
|
|
| Unrestricted Electives |
15
|
* To be chosen from upper division courses in Physics or related fields in consultation with advisor; at least 4 units of these must be in Physics.
General Education Courses
The following 68 units of courses are suggested for physics majors in order to minimize the number of units required for graduation. However, any course on the universitiy's approved list or articulated transfer credit will meet the explicit general education requirement, but perhaps not some other prerequisite or graduation requirement.
| Course Number | Course Name | Units |
| Area A | ||
| ENG 104 | 1. Freshman English I | 4 |
| — | 2. Select one course from this area. | 4 |
| — | 3. Select one course from this area. | 4 |
| Area B | ||
| MAT 114 | 1. Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4 |
| CHM 121/121L | 2. General Chemistry | 3/1 |
| BIO 110/111L BIO 115/115L |
3. Life Science and Life Science Lab or Basic Biology |
3/1 3/2 |
| — | 4. Select one course in consultation with advisor | 4 |
| Area C | ||
| — | 1. Select one course from this area. | 4 |
| — | 2. Select one course from this area. | 4 |
| — | 3. Select one course from this area. | 4 |
| — | 4. Select one course from this area. | 4 |
| Area D | ||
| PLS 201 HST 202 |
1. Introduction to American Government and U.S. History |
4 4 |
| — | 2. Select one course from this area. | 4 |
| — | 3. Select one course from this area. | 4 |
| — | 4. Select one course from this area. | 4 |
| Area E | ||
| — | Select one course from this area. | 4 |