Dec 12, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Roadmap: B.A. in Physical Sciences


This interdisciplinary degree prepares students for a greater diversity of professions requiring an understanding of the fundamentals of the physical sciences, including courses in: astronomy, chemistry, environmental sciences, geology, marine sciences, meteorology, and physics.

A student may pursue a Physical Sciences major by electing one of the following three concentrations: applied physics, earth and space sciences, or environmental sciences. The major may also be pursued without a concentration by completing sufficient upper-division units in two areas of interest chosen from astronomy, chemistry, environmental sciences, geology, marine science, and physics. Consult with a departmental adviser as to the areas of interest and to the proper selection of courses.

Students interested in environmental design, technical administration in government and industry, laboratory technology, legal work pertaining to patents, or scientific librarianship and journalism may elect this major as an opportunity to acquire an education tailored to their individual needs.

The Physical Sciences major whose interest is in marine geology and physical oceanography will be required to enroll in upper-division coursework at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories for fulfillment of major requirements. Please refer to the Marine Sciences section of this catalog.

Physical Sciences majors interested in medical school, dental school, and other health professions such as pharmacy, physical therapy, or optometry should work out a plan of study as soon as possible with their major adviser and the Pre-Health Professions Committee. See the Pre-Health Professions section of this catalog within the Biological Sciences section.

This Roadmap is a recommended advising map to complete the degree program in four years. Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

 

First Year

Fall Semester
Course
Units
MATH 1100 Precalculus   4 
PHYS 1500 Energy and Matter   3 
General Education Area A1 3
General Education Area B2 3
General Education Area C1 3
Total Units 16
Cumulative Total 16
Spring Semester
Course
Units
MATH 1410 Calculus I   4 
General Education Area A2 3
General Education Area C2 3
General Education Area D1 3
General Education Area D2 3
Total Units 16
Cumulative Total 32
  • MATH 1100 and 1410 satisfy GE Area B4.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

Second Year

Fall Semester
Course
Units
PHYS 2250 General Physics I   4 
PHYS 2262 General Physics II Laboratory   1 
MATH 1420 Calculus II   4 
General Education Area A3 3
General Education Area C1 or C2 3
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 47
Spring Semester
Course
Units
PHYS 2260 General Physics II   4 
PHYS 2262 General Physics II Laboratory   1 
PSCI 1201 American Government   3 
General Education Area E 3
General Education Area F 3
Total Units 14
Cumulative Total 61
  • PHYS 2250 and 2252 satisfy GE area B1 and B3.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

Third Year

Fall Semester
Course
Units

Choose one of the following courses:

Choose one of the following courses:

CHEM 1100 General Chemistry I   4 
CHEM 1102 General Chemistry I Laboratory   1 
Upper Division GE Course (UD-B, UD-C, UD-D) 3
Total Units 14
Cumulative Total 75
Spring Semester
Course
Units

Choose one of the following courses:

CHEM 1110 General Chemistry II   4 
CHEM 1112 General Chemistry II Laboratory   1 
ASTR 2112 Astronomy Laboratory   1 
Upper Division GE Course (UD-B, UD-C, UD-D) 3
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 90

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

 

Fourth Year

Fall Semester
Course
Units

Choose one of the following courses: 

Choose one of the following courses: 

2
Elective  3
Elective 3
Upper Division GE Course (UD-B, UD-C, UD-D) 3
Total Units 14
Cumulative Total 104
Spring Semester
Course
Units
Major Elective 3
Major Elective 3
Elective 4
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total Units 16
Cumulative Total 120