Undergraduate Programs

Student in a cleanroom
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Year Fall Spring
First MATH 226 MATH 227
First   PHYS 220 & 222
First   CSC 309
Second MATH 228 MATH 245
Second PHYS 230 & 232 PHYS 240 & 242
Third PHYS 320 & 321 PHYS 360
Third PHYS 330 PHYS 370
Third PHYS 385 PHYS/ASTR elective
Fourth PHYS 430 PHYS 457
Fourth PHYS 460  
Fourth PHYS 490 & 491 PHYS/ASTR elective
Fourth PHYS 695 PHYS/ASTR elective

Notes:

  • B.S. Physics requires 10 units of upper division electives in physics, astronomy or related fields.
  • PHYS 457 can be taken earlier, in any spring semester after PHYS 230/232.  Acceptable substitution for PHYS 457 is ENGR 205 & 206.
  • 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!
Bachelor of Science in Physics/Astrophysics
Year Fall Spring
First MATH 226 MATH 227
First (ASTR 115) PHYS 220 & 222
First   CSC 309
Second MATH 228 MATH 245
Second PHYS 230 & 232 PHYS 240 & 242
Second   ASTR 300
Third PHYS 320 PHYS 360
Third PHYS 330 PHYS 370
Third PHYS 385 ASTR 340 or 470
Third ASTR 301  
Fourth PHYS 430 ASTR 340 or 470
Fourth ASTR 400 ASTR 697 OR ASTR 498
Fourth PHYS/ASTR elective PHYS/ASTR elective

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.
Bachelor of Science in Physics for Teaching
Year Fall Spring
First MATH 226 MATH 227
First   PHYS 220 & 222
Second MATH 228 MATH 245
Second PHYS 230 & 232 PHYS 240 & 242
Third PHYS 320 & 321 PHYS 360
Third PHYS 330 PHYS 370
Third PHYS 385 STEM elective
Fourth PHYS 490 & 491 STEM elective
Fourth SCI 652 OR EED 655 STEM elective
Fourth PHYS 695 STEM elective

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.
Bachelor of Arts in Physics
Year Fall Spring
First MATH 226 MATH 227
First   PHYS 220 & 222
Second MATH 228 MATH 245
Second PHYS 230 & 232 PHYS 240 & 242
Third PHYS 320 & 321 PHYS 360
Third PHYS 330 PHYS 370
Third PHYS 385  
Fourth PHYS 490 & 491 PHYS/ASTR elective
Fourth PHYS 695 PHYS/ASTR elective

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.
Bachelor of Arts in Physics/Astronomy
Year Fall Spring
First MATH 226 MATH 227
First ASTR 115 PHYS 220 & 222
Second MATH 228 (MATH 245)
Second PHYS 230 & 232 PHYS 240 & 242
Second   ASTR 300
Third PHYS 320 & 321 ASTR 340
Third ASTR 301 ASTR 470
Fourth PHYS/ASTR elective PHYS/ASTR elective
Fourth PHYS 695  

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.