Department of Physics & Astronomy

Undergraduate Program

 

RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS

FOR

PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY DEGREES

( New Students )

( BS in Physics |BS in Physics/Astrophysics |BA in Physics |BA in Physics/Astronomy)

 

Bachelor of Science in Physics
Year in program FALL SPRING
FIRST Math 226 Calc. I [R] Math 227 Calc. II [R]
FIRST
Phys 220 & 222 Calc. Phys. I [R]
SECOND Math 228 Calc. III [R] Phys 240 & 242 Calc. Phys. III [R]
SECOND Phys 230 & 232 Calc. Phys. II [R] Math 376 ODE I [R]
or
Math 245 diff eq & lin alg [R]
SECOND Csc 309 Programming [R]
THIRD Phys 320 Mod. Phys. [R] Phys 360 E&M I [R]
THIRD Phys 321 Mod. Phys. Lab [R] Phys 325 Mod. Phys. II* [E-Rec]
THIRD Phys 330 Mech. I [R] Phys 430 Quantum I [R]
THIRD Phys 385 Theor. Phys. I [R] Phys 370 Thermal. Phys. [R]
FOURTH Phys 460 E&M II [R] Phys 457 Electronics [R]
FOURTH Phys 431 Quantum II* [E-Rec] Phys 491 Project Lab II [R] (GWAR)
FOURTH Phys 490 Project Lab I [R] (GWAR) Phys 695 Culminating Experience [R]
FOURTH Physics Elective* [E] Physics Elective* [E]
  NOTES:
  • [R] = Required course; [E] Elective course; [E-Rec] = Elective course strongly recommended
  • Ph 385 MUST be taken before Ph 360.
  • Lower-division courses (2xx numbers) are generally offered in both spring and fall semesters.
  • Upper-division courses (3xx or 4xx numbers) are usually offered only once per year, during the semester indicated above.
  • Summer offerings have been limited to selected lower-division courses.
  • Phys 490 and 491 satisfy the GWAR requirement when taken in sequence in Fall 2010 or later.
  • * Four upper-division elective courses in physics, math, astronomy, or related sciences, on advisement, are required.
  • A maximum of 6 units taken CR/NC may be counted toward any undergraduate degree.

The revised BS concentration in astrophysics is shown below. This is relevant for students graduating in Fall 2011 or later. For the old BS, please see the bulletin.

Bachelor of Science in Physics: Concentration in Astrophysics
Year in program FALL SPRING
FIRST
Math 226 Calc. I [R] Math 227 Calc. II [R]
FIRST
Astr 115 Intro. to Astro. [Rec] Phys 220 & 222 Calc. Phys. I [R]
SECOND
Math 228 Calc. III [R] Phys 240 & 242 Calc. Phys. III [R]
SECOND
Phys 230 & 232 Calc. Phys. II [R] Math 376 ODE I [R]
or
Math 245 diff eq & lin alg [R]
SECOND
Csc 309 Programming [R] Astr 300 Stars, Planets, Milky Way [R]
SECOND
Astr 301 Obs. Astronomy Lab [R]
THIRD
Phys 320 Mod. Phys. [R] Phys 360 E&M I [R]
THIRD
Phys 321 Mod. Phys. Lab [Rec] ASTR 340 The Big Bang (GWAR)[R]
THIRD
Phys 330 Mech. I [R] Astr 400 Intro. to Astrophysics [R]
THIRD
Phys 385 Theor. Phys. I [R]
Phys 370 Stat. Phys. [R]
FOURTH
Phys 460 E&M II [E-Rec] Astr 697 Senior Project [R]
or Astr 498 and Phys 695
FOURTH
Astr 442 Galaxies and Cosmology [R] Astr 470 Obs. Techniques in Astronomy [R]
FOURTH
Phys 430 Quantum I [R]
NOTES:
  • [R] = Required course; [E] Elective course; [E-Rec] = Elective course strongly recommended
  • Ph 385 MUST be taken before Ph 360.
  • Astr 300, 400 and 442 should be taken in sequence.
  • Astr 470 should be taken after Astr 300, 301 and 442.
  • The senior project (Astr 697) may be spread over two semesters or more and begun in the spring of the 3rd year (concurrently with Astr 470).
  • Lower-division courses (2xx numbers) are generally offered in both spring and fall semesters.
  • Upper-division courses (3xx or 4xx numbers) are usually offered only once per year, during the semester indicated above.
  • Summer offerings have been limited to selected lower-division courses.
  • Astr 115 (Introduction to Astronomy) does not count toward the major but is recommended as a broad introduction to the field.
  • Three units of elective courses in physics or astronomy are required. Electives may be chosen from Astr 405, 498, Phys 440, 460, 480, and up to 1 unit of a 600-level ASTR course.
  • A maximum of 6 units taken CR/NC may be counted toward any undergraduate degree.

Bachelor of Arts in Physics
Year in program FALL SPRING
FIRST
Math 226 Calc. I [R] Math 227 Calc. II [R]
FIRST

Phys 220 & 222 Calc. Phys. I [R]
SECOND
Math 228 Calc. III [R] Phys 240 & 242 Calc. Phys. III [R]
SECOND
Phys 230 & 232 Calc. Phys. II [R] Math 376 ODE I [E-REC]
or
Math 245 diff eq & lin alg [E-REC]
THIRD
Phys 320 Mod. Phys. [R] Phys 360 E&M I [R]
THIRD
Phys 321 Mod. Phys. Lab [R] Phys 370 Thermal Phys. [R]
THIRD
Phys 330 Mech. I [R] Physics elective (Phys 325 recommended)
THIRD
Phys 385 Theor. Phys. I [R]
FOURTH
Phys 490 Proj. Lab [R](GWAR) Physics Elective* [E]
FOURTH
Ph 460 E&M II* [E-Rec] Physics 491 (GWAR) [E]
FOURTH
Phys 695 Culminating Experience [R]
NOTES:
  • [R] = Required course; [E] Elective course; [E-Rec] = Elective course strongly recommended
  • Ph 385 MUST be taken before Ph 360.
  • Lower-division courses (2xx numbers) are generally offered in both spring and fall semesters.
  • Upper-division courses (3xx or 4xx numbers) are usually offered only once per year, during the semester indicated above.
  • Summer offerings have been limited to selected lower-division courses.
  • Phys 490 and Phys 491 satisfy the GWAR requirement when taken in sequence in Fall 2010 or later.
  • * Three upper-division elective courses in physics, math, astronomy, or related sciences, on advisement, are required.
  • A maximum of 6 units taken CR/NC may be counted toward any undergraduate degree.

Bachelor of Arts in Physics: Concentration in Astronomy
Year in program FALL SPRING
FIRST
Math 226 Calc. I [R] Math 227 Calc. II [R]
FIRST
Astr 115 Intro. to Astro. [R] Phys 220 & 222 Calc. Phys. I [R]
SECOND
Math 228 Calc. III [R] Phys 240 & 242 Calc. Phys. III [R]
SECOND
Phys 230 & 232 Calc. Phys. II [R]
SECOND
Astr 301 Obs. Astron. Lab [R]
THIRD
Phys 320 Mod. Phys. [R] Astr 300 Stars, Planets, and the Milky Way [R]
THIRD
Phys 321 Mod. Phys. Lab [R] ASTR 340 The Big Bang (GWAR) [R]
THIRD
Physics Elective* [E]
FOURTH
Elective Physics 480 Radiation/Optics* [E-Rec]
FOURTH
Elective Phys 695 Culminating Experience [R]
NOTES:
  • [R] = Required course; [E] Elective course; [E-Rec] = Elective course strongly recommended
  • Lower-division courses (2xx numbers) are generally offered in both spring and fall semesters.
  • Upper-division courses (3xx or 4xx numbers) are usually offered only once per year, during the semester indicated above.
  • Summer offerings have been limited to selected lower-division courses.
  • * Eleven units of upper-division electives in astronomy, physics, geosciences, mathematics, or related subjects, selected on advisement, are required. No more than 3 units of 600 level courses may count toward this requirement..
  • A maximum of 6 units taken CR/NC may be counted toward any undergraduate degree.

 

 

 

 

 

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