Undergraduate Programs

Notes:

• B.S. Physics/Astrophysics requires 6 units of upper division electives in physics, astronomy or related fields.
• Students who want a more rigorous math background may choose MATH 325 & 376 instead of MATH 245. MATH 325 is offered in both fall and spring semesters; MATH 376 is only offered in fall, and may be taken concurrently with PHYS 330, 385. The units for MATH 376 replace the units for MATH 245 in the degree, and the units for MATH 325 can go toward electives in physics & astronomy. Note that students who take MATH 325 & 376 will only need ONE more math class to complete the Minor in Mathematics!
• While ASTR 115 is not required for the B.S. Physics/Astrophysics degree, students are strongly encouraged to take it in their first year to give them a broad overview of all of astronomy. However, units do not count towards B.S. degree.
• While PHYS 321 (Modern Physics Lab) is not required for the B.S. Physics/Astrophysics degree, students are strongly encouraged to take it in fall of third year (along with PHYS 320); units can count toward physics/astronomy electives.
• ASTR 470 is typically offered every other year, usually in spring of odd years.
• Senior Project (ASTR 697) often takes more than one semester; students are strongly encouraged to speak with potential project advisors in spring of third year, and to start as soon as possible in fall of final year; units can be taken in fall or spring.

Notes:

• B.S. Physics for Teaching requires 12 units of lower or upper division electives in physics, astronomy or related fields. Students are strongly encouraged to use these units toward a minor in mathematics or another science.
• CSC 309 is not required, but is strongly recommended as an elective in the major.
• Students who want a more rigorous math background may choose MATH 325 & 376 instead of MATH 245. MATH 325 is offered in both fall and spring semesters; MATH 376 is only offered in fall, and may be taken concurrently with PHYS 330, 385. The units for MATH 376 replace the units for MATH 245 in the degree, and the units for MATH 325 can go toward electives in physics & astronomy. Note that students who take MATH 325 & 376 can complete the Minor in Mathematics by taking PHYS 430 or 460 and only 1 more math class.

Notes:

• B.A. Physics requires 4 units of upper division electives in physics, astronomy or related fields.
• CSC 309 is not required, but is strongly recommended as an elective in the major.
• Students who want a more rigorous math background may choose MATH 325 & 376 instead of MATH 245. MATH 325 is offered in both fall and spring semesters; MATH 376 is only offered in fall, and may be taken concurrently with PHYS 330, 385. The units for MATH 376 replace the units for MATH 245 in the degree, and the units for MATH 325 can go toward electives in physics & astronomy. Note that students who take MATH 325 & 376 can complete the Minor in Mathematics by taking PHYS 430 or 460 and only 1 more math class.

Notes:

• B.A. Physics/Astronomy requires 8 units of upper division electives in physics, astronomy or related fields.
• MATH 245 is strongly recommended; units can count toward major electives.
• CSC 309 is not required, but is strongly recommended as an elective in the major.
• ASTR 470 is typically offered every other year, usually in spring of odd years.

Minor in Mathematics

The Minor in Mathematics requires 24 units. With careful planning, 21 of these units can overlap with physics and/or astronomy degrees. Students who want to complete the Minor in Mathematics should not take MATH 245, but instead take both MATH 325 and 376. MATH 325 is offered in both fall and spring semesters; MATH 376 is only offered in fall, and may be taken concurrently with PHYS 330, 385. The units for MATH 376 replace the units for MATH 245 in the degree, and the units for MATH 325 can go toward electives in physics & astronomy. Furthermore, the Department of Mathematics allows either PHYS 430 or 460 to count toward the Minor in Mathematics.

• MATH 226
• MATH 227
• MATH 228
• MATH 325
• MATH 376
• PHYS 430 or 460 or MATH elective
• MATH elective

Recommended math courses relevant to physics include MATH 380, 400, 440, 450, 460, or 477.