Academics

Which Degree?

We offer two Bachelor of Science options, two Bachelor of Arts options,  two minors, two master's degree programs, as well as two “blended” B.S./M.S. programs that allow students an accelerated pathway to earn a graduate degree.  The units listed below are for units within the major; the total number of units for a bachelor's degree is 120 units, the total number units for a master's degree is 30 units, and the total number of units for the SF State Scholars blended degrees is 138 units.

The B.A. degrees are ideal for students who want a strong background in physical science but desire more flexibility to blend their curriculum with “liberal arts” and other interests. Students with B.A. degrees often pursue careers in teaching (K-12), science communication & journalism, science outreach (at science museums, planetaria & public observatories), medical, dental, and other health fields, or business sub-fields in which a rigorous scientific background is beneficial. The B.S. degrees require more in-depth technical training, advanced laboratory experiences, and specialized elective topics. Students with B.S. degrees often pursue science and engineering careers in colleges & universities, industrial research & development labs, or government labs & agencies, or pursue advanced graduate degrees in physics, astronomy, planetary science, or engineering.  

The department offers the M.S. in Physics and the M.S. in Astronomy & Astrophysics. These programs serve students who seek advanced knowledge in physics or astronomy for application in physics/astronomy related industries, for preparation to continue graduate work elsewhere towards the doctoral degree, for service as museum/planetarium docent or technical staff at a research institute, and for work leading to teaching credentials which require a master's degree.

The department offers two blended B.S./M.S. programs in the SF State Scholars Program to allow motivated undergraduates accelerated pathways toward graduate degrees in physics and astronomy.  Students in these programs pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously. This program allows students to earn graduate credit while in their junior and/or senior year, reducing the number of semesters required for completion of a master’s degree. These programs are excellent preparation for employment in industry, research laboratories, community colleges, planetaria, observatories, and science museums, as well as admission to competitive Ph.D. programs.  Students apply for the program in the fall semester of junior year (or second-to-last year).

PHYS 457: Analog Electronics will not be offered in 2025-2026.  This is required course for the B.S. Physics degree.  Instead, you should substitute ENGR 205 & 206: Electric Circuits (lecture & lab).  This can be taken in fall or spring semesters.  It can be taken as early as sophomore year (after PHYS 230/232, MATH 245 may be taken concurrently), but ideally should be completed no later than spring of junior year.

PHYS 460: Electromagnetism II will not be offered in 2025-2026.  This is required for the B.S. Physics degree. Students should instead enroll in PHYS 480: Optics & Introduction to Photonics, which will only be offered in the fall.  This is also a FANTASTIC elective in the major for *all* physics & astronomy degree programs!  Optics is foundational to all modern physics! I strongly encourage all seniors (physics AND astro students) to consider taking this course with Prof. Weining Man. Prerequisites are PHYS 320 & 360.

PHYS 490 & PHYS 491GW have officially been merged into ONE combined 3-unit class, PHYS 491GW (3 units, Fall).  This course is REQUIRED in the final year of the B.S. Physics, B.S. Physics, concentration in Physics for Teaching, and the B.A. Physics degrees.  All SENIORS (students planning on graduating in 2025-2026) MUST enroll in PHYS 491GW in Fall 2025. It is *only* offered in the fall semester.  Astronomy & astrophysics students are not required to take this but may elect to do so as a major elective.  This is a great course to get rigorous training in experimental physics techniques.  It is also being taught by Prof. Weining Man.

PHYS 695 (1 unit) has been discontinued. If your degree program required this (check your Degree Progress Report), you can simply add this 1 unit to your major elective units.

CSC 309 or MATH 209: Python programming is required by the B.S. degrees and recommended for the B.A. degrees. (Though, for new physics and astronomy majors who joined the department in Fall 2024 or later, python programming will be required for all physics and astronomy degrees, B.S. and B.A. degrees).  MATH 209: Mathematical Computing is offered by the Dept. of Math in only the fall semester.  CSC 309: Computer Programming is offered by the Dept. of Computer Science only in the spring semester. Either MATH 209 or CSC 309 satisfy the requirements for physics & astronomy majors.

PHYS 163: Introduction to Particle Physics (CSU Fresno – CSU ONLINE).  The course is online asynchronous with recorded lectures.  SF State students can enroll via CSU Fully Online. The scheduled times are *optional* office hours (TTH 9am to 10:15am) to answer students’ questions.  This course can be transferred to SF State and count as a major elective in any of our degree programs.  Prerequisites: PHYS 320.

Seniors are allowed to take graduate courses.  Consider:

PHYS 701: Classical Mechanics (Prof. Joseph Barranco) (should have at least grades of B in PHYS 320, 330 & 385).

PHYS 725: General Relativity (Prof. Oscar Macías) (should have at least grades of B in PHYS 320, 330, 360, AND 385).

PHYS 785: Theoretical Physics (Prof. Jeff Greensite) (should have at least grades of B in  PHYS 320, 360 & 385).

If you take a graduate class in your senior year, and if you do not need the course to complete your undergraduate degree (that is, it is “extra” and not needed for electives), then you can “save” the course and transfer it over to a graduate degree if you decide to enter the M.S. Physics or M.S. Astronomy & Astrophysics later!  So this is a way to get a jump-start on a graduate degree!

Specific recommendations for your schedules by level & degree program for Fall 2025:

Lower-division students, all PHYS/ASTR majors/concentrations: continue the calculus (MATH 226, 227, 228, 245 (or 225 & 376)) and introductory physics sequences (PHYS 220/222, 230/232, 240/242).  You should complete these sequences BEFORE entering your final two years.  After you complete these sequences, it will take 2 more years to complete upper-division requirements.

Also take Python programming, MATH 209 or CSC 309, in your second year. Math 209 is offered only in fall, while CSC 309 is only offered in the spring.

Juniors (or students starting their second-to-last year):

Physics BA, BS: PHYS 320 & 321, 385, 330 (330 can be taken now or in final year, especially if you are taking MATH 376 this semester)

Phys/Astro BA: PHYS 320, ASTR 301 (321, 385 or 330 are optional electives)

Phys/Astro BS: PHYS 320, 330, 385, ASTR 301 (if you are taking MATH 376 this semester, you can delay 330 until your final year)

Juniors – if you have not completed a python course, then you should either take MATH 209 in fall or CSC 309 in spring of junior year!

Seniors (or students in their final year):

Physics BA: PHYS 330 (if not already completed), PHYS 491GW, (PHYS 480 is not required but is a GREAT elective in the major and is strongly encouraged)

Physics BS: PHYS 330 (if not already completed), PHYS 430, 480 (instead of 460), 491GW

Physics BS (concentration in physics for teaching): PHYS 330 (if not already completed), PHYS 491GW, (PHYS 480 is not required but is a GREAT elective in the major and is strongly encouraged), E ED 655

Phys/Astro BA: electives in the major, PHYS 480 is not required but is a GREAT elective in the major and is strongly encouraged, ERTH courses are especially encouraged

Phys/Astro BS: ASTR 400, PHYS 430, (PHYS 480 is not required but is a GREAT elective in the major and is strongly encouraged), ASTR 697 (senior project) [senior project can be taken in fall or spring, or spread out over both semesters. Be sure to discuss with your Faculty Major Advisor.]

Seniors – if you need another elective, consider PHYS 163: Introduction to Particle Physics offered by CSU Fresno through CSU Fully Online.  It is fully asynchronous, so it definitely can fit in your schedule!!

For major electives, you may take 300-level or higher courses in CHEM, ENGR, MATH or 400-level or higher courses in ERTH.   There are lots of great courses in these departments, so expand your horizons!