Draft 2025-2026 Catalog 
    
    Nov 09, 2024  
Draft 2025-2026 Catalog

Physics, Honors Concentration, Major


This concentration is recommended for students choosing physics as their main professional field, or students planning to pursue graduate studies in physics or related fields. The major program requires completion of a total of seventy (70) units, of which fifty-four (54) units correspond to Physics, and 12 to Mathematics support courses.

Program Learning Outcomes


Please see the Physics Major 

Major Requirements (70 units)


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   4
Core or Language - Course 3 4
Elective (could be Physics elective if following a minor) 4
Total Semester Units 16

Junior Year


PHYS 310 - Analytical Mechanics   4
Core 4
Physics Elective 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
PHYS 350 - Physics Colloquium   1
Total Semester Units 17

    

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
PHYS 399 - Directed Research/Adv UG   2
Physics Elective 4
Elective 4
PHYS 350 - Physics Colloquium   1
Total Semester Units 15

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