Dec 05, 2025  
2025-26 Academic Catalog 
    
2025-26 Academic Catalog

Roadmap: B.A. in Physical Sciences


This roadmap is a recommended sequence of courses. Please consult your STAN Degree Progress and academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

First Year

Fall Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
GE 1A 
English Composition  
3
Students who take ENGL 1006 will complete GE 1A with ENGL 1007 
GE 2 
3  
Enrollment requirement: math placement category I/II and a 61+ on the ALEKS math assessment
GE 3A
Arts
3
 
GE 4B 
Social & Behavioral Sciences 
 
Student Success Skills
Student Success Skills Course
1
 
Units to 120
General Elective
2
 
 
Semester Units
15
 
 
Cumulative Total
15
 
Spring Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
GE 1C 
Oral Communications  
3
 
Major Prerequisite 
GE 2 
4  
Enrollment requirement: math placement category I/II and a 76+ on the ALEKS math assessment or have scored a 3 or above in the AP Calculus Exam
GE 5B 
Biological Sciences 
3
 
Life-Long Learning Skills
Life-Long Learning Skills Course
1
 
Units to 120 
General Elective 
3
Students who took ENGL 1006 must take ENGL 1007 
 
Semester Units
14
 
 
Cumulative Total
29
 

Second Year

Fall Semester 
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Prerequisite
GE 2 
4  
 
Major Prerequisite
GE 5A/5C
Choose one:
Choose ONE and complete the sequence in the following semester
GE 1B 
Critical Thinking  
3
 
GE 6 
Ethnic Studies  
3
 
 
Semester Units
14
 
 
Cumulative Total
43
 
Spring Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Prerequisite
GE 5A/5C
Choose one:
 
GE 3B 
Humanities  
3
 
GE 4A 
3  
 
Units to 120
General Elective
3
 
Units to 120
General Elective
3
 
 
Semester Units
16
 
 
Cumulative Total 
59
 

Third Year

Fall Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Prerequisite 
4  
 
Major Prerequisite 
1  
 
Major Requirement  
Upper-Division Major Elective
Students must consult with their major advisor to select two areas of interest in Physical Science and complete a minimum of 12 upper-division units in each area
Major Requirement
Upper-Division Major Elective
 
GE UD 2 or 5
Choose one:
  • Upper-Division Mathematics
  • Upper-Division Sciences
3
May double-count with major; ensure minimum unit requirement met overall
 
Semester Units
14
 
 
Cumulative Total
73
 
Spring Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Prerequisite 
4  
 
Major Prerequisite 
1  
 
Major Requirement  
Upper-Division Major Elective
3
  
Major Requirement  
Upper-Division Major Elective
3
 
US/CA/Local Gov 
3  
 
Units to 120 General Elective 3  
 
Semester Units
17
 
 
Cumulative Total
90
 

Fourth Year

*Apply for Graduation*

Fall Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Requirement
Upper-Division Major Elective
3
Students must consult with their major advisor to select two areas of interest in Physical Science and complete a minimum of 12 upper-division units in each area
Major Requirement 
Upper-Division Major Elective  
3
 
GE UD 3 
Upper-Division Arts & Humanities
3
Recommended: ENGL 3550; course also fulfills the Sociocultural Inquiry requirement  
Writing Proficiency
Writing Proficiency Course
3
May double-count with major; ensure minimum unit requirement met overall
Units to 120 
Upper-Division General Elective 
3
 
 
Semester Units
15
 
 
Cumulative Total
105
 
Spring Semester
Requirement Met
Course
Units
Notes
Major Requirement 
Upper-Division Major Elective
3
 
Major Requirement  
Upper-Division Major Elective 
3
 
GE UD 4 
Upper-Division Social & Behavioral Sciences
3
 
Units to 120 
Upper-Division General Elective 
3
 
Units to 120 
General Elective  
3
Select a course that also fulfills the Sociocultural Inquiry requirement, if still needed 
 
Semester Units
15
 
 
Cumulative Total
120
To qualify for graduation, students must complete a minimum of 120 units overall.