2024-2025 Catalog 
    
    Dec 05, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog

Physics Major


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The major in Physics consists of a minimum core of physics and mathematics courses. It provides a rigorous background combined with maximum flexibility for students who have a strong interest in an additional field of study.

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will:

  • Demonstrate mastery of the core concepts and general principles of physics
  • Demonstrate competent knowledge of the specific concepts, principles, and problems of each of the basic subfields and some areas of application in physics
  • Conduct experiments for a comparison with physical models and theories, and examine the results with the statistical methods of error analysis
  • Formulate, solve, and interpret problems by the use of physical principles, via mathematical and computational techniques

Major Requirements (58 units)


To qualify for graduation, a physics student must have achieved at least a 2.0 (C) cumulative grade point average.

Degree Planner


First-Year


Fall Units
Core - B2: PHYS 110 - General Physics I    4
Core - B1: MATH 109 - Calculus & Analytic Geom I  (Prerequisite MATH 108 - Precalculus )   4
Core: Rhetoric and Composition 4
Core - A1: Public Speaking or Freshman Seminar 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
PHYS 210 - General Physics II   4
MATH 110 - Calculus & Analytic Geom II   4
Core: Rhetoric and Composition 4
Core or Language - Course 1 4
Total Semester Units 16

Sophomore Year


Fall Units
PHYS 240 - Modern Physics   4
MATH 211 - Calculus & Analytic Geom III   4
Core or Language - Course 2 4
Core 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
PHYS 371 - Math Methods for Sci and Eng   4
CS 110 - Intro to Computer Science I   4
Core or Language - Course 3 4
Elective (could be Physics elective if following a minor) 4
Total Semester Units 16

Junior Year


Fall Units
PHYS 310 - Analytical Mechanics      4
Core 4
Elective (could be Physics elective if following a minor) 4
Elective 4
PHYS 350 - Physics Colloquium   1
Total Semester Units 17
Spring Units
PHYS 312 - Statistical & Thermal Physics   4
PHYS 341 - Upper Division Lab I   4
Core 4
Elective (could be Physics elective if following a minor) 4
Total Semester Units 16

Senior Year


Fall Units
PHYS 330 - Quantum Mechanics     4
PHYS 340 - Optics   4
Core 4
Elective (could be Physics elective if following a minor) 4
PHYS 350 - Physics Colloquium   1
Total Semester Units 17
Spring Units
PHYS 320 - Electromagnetism   4
Elective (could be Physics elective if following a minor) 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information. 

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