Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, Custom Emphasis, B.S.


Requirements for the Physics Major


To receive the B.S. in Physics, students must adhere to General Education   and School of Natural Sciences Requirements . The Physics program consists of 79-89 units with a minimum of 23 courses (11 lower division and 12 upper division) designed to give all students a common foundation of core knowledge specific to the discipline, plus breadth in an application area.

Lower Division Major Requirements [41-42 Units]


Chemistry Requirement [4 units]


Complete the following course:

Computer Science Requirement [2 units]


Complete one of the following courses:

Physics Requirement [12 units]


Complete the following three lower division physics courses. Note that registration is PHYS 008 and PHYS 009 also requires registration in a corresponding Lab and Discussion. 

Lower-Division Natural Sciences or Engineering Course Requirement [3-4 units]


Complete one breadth science or engineering elective (any School of Natural Sciences or School of Engineering course, excluding physics or math).

Senior Thesis Research [4 Units]


All students are required to complete a senior thesis consisting of independent research performed under the tutelage of a faculty advisor. Typically, this research is the culmination of a student’s emphasis track (see below). The thesis advisor may be a faculty member in either physics or another discipline, allowing for the possibility of cross-disciplinary research projects. To complete the thesis, a student must take (at least) 2 units of PHYS 195  and 2 units of PHYS 196 , typically in the fall and spring, respectively, of the senior year. Note that PHYS 196  can only be taken once, and PHYS 195  can be repeated.

Requirements for Custom Emphasis [12 Units Minimum]


A customized track must consist of at least 12 units. Typically, the track includes the three upper division physics electives and culminates with the student’s senior thesis (PHYS 195 /PHYS 196 ). Other upper division courses may be substituted for the three physics electives if they are deemed appropriate to the track. Any customized emphasis track must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor at least two semesters prior to completion of the degree.

Transfer Students


To be admitted to the Physics major transfer students must meet the following requirements:

Applicants will, at the time of admission have completed at minimum each of the following courses (or their equivalent) with a “C-” or better: