Dec 12, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Colleges & Departments
  Academic Programs
  Courses
  Roadmaps
  Baccalaureate Degree Requirements
  General Education Requirements
  Graduate Education
  Academic Policies, Procedures and Standards
  Fees and Financial Aid
  Undergraduate Admission
  Archived Catalogs
  Schedule of Classes
  Faculty
  My Favorites
HELP
2023-2024 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Roadmap: B.A. in Physics

The Physics curriculum gives students a thorough understanding of the fundamentals and modern applications of physics. The Bachelor of Arts degree program is designed for students seeking to enter professions requiring a moderate training in physics. The lower-division requirements of both degree programs also may be used to prepare for study in engineering. After completion, the student may transfer to engineering programs for upper-division coursework and study in engineering.

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 
General Education Area A1 3
General Education Area C1 3
General Education Area D1 3
General Education Area E 3
Total Units 16
Cumulative Total 16
Spring Semester
Course
Units
MATH 1410 Calculus I   4 
General Education Area A2 3
General Education Area B2 3
General Education Area C2 3
General Education Area D1 3
Total Units 16
Cumulative Total 32

  • MATH-1100 Pre-calculus and Math-1410 Calculus I satisfies General Education Area B4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

 

Second Year
Fall Semester
Course
Units

Choose one of the following courses:

  • General Education Area C1
  • ​General Education Area C2
 3 
MATH 1420 Calculus II   4 
PHYS 2250 General Physics I   4 
PHYS 2252 General Physics I Laboratory   1 
General Education Area A3 3
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 47
Spring Semester
Course
Units
MATH 2410 Multivariate Calculus   4 
PHYS 2260 General Physics II   4 
PHYS 2262 General Physics II Laboratory   1 
General Education Area D2 3
General Education Area F 3
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 62

  • Math-1420 Calculus II satisfies General Education Area B4

  • PHYS-2250 General Physics I satisfies General Education Area B1

  • PHYS-2252 General Physics I Lab satisfies Lab General Education Area                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

Third Year
Fall Semester
Course
Units
CHEM 1100 General Chemistry I   4 
CHEM 1102 General Chemistry I Laboratory   1 
PHYS 3010 Intro Mathematical Physics I   3 
PHYS 3520 Modern Physics and Quantum Mechanics   3 
PHYS 4250 Analog and Digital Electronics   4 
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 77
Spring Semester
Course
Units
CHEM 1110 General Chemistry II   4 
CHEM 1112 General Chemistry II Laboratory   1 
CS 1500 Computer Programming I   3 
PHYS 3100 Classical Mechanics   4 
PHYS 3320 Electricity and Magnetism I   3 
Total Units 15
Cumulative Total 92

  • CHEM-1100 General Chemistry I satisfies General Education Area B1

  • CHEM-1102 General Chemistry I Lab satisfies B3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

 

Fourth Year

*Apply for Graduation
Fall Semester
Course
Units

Choose one of the following courses:

 3 
ASTR 3000 Contemporary Astronomy   3 
PHYS 3330 Electricity and Magnetism II   3 
PHYS 4910 Spectroscopy, Techniques and Application (WP)   3 
Elective Units 2
Total Units 14
Cumulative Total 106
Spring Semester
Course
Units
PHYS 3550 Physics for War, Physics for Peace   3  
PHYS 4102 Experimental Physics (WP)   2 
General Education Area UD-B 3
General Education Area UD-D 3
University Multicultural Requirement 3
Total Units 14
Cumulative Total 120

  • For additional dates and details to apply for graduation, visit the Graduation Website.

  • In order to graduate with a degree major, students must complete at least 120 units. Students are encouraged to take additional courses in supporting fields that relate to their career interests.