Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, Mathematical Physics Emphasis, B.S.


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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:

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 Mathematical Physics Emphasis [16-19 Units]


Complete the following courses:

Additional Elective Courses [8 units]


Complete at least two additional courses from this list. Other courses may be substituted with assigned faculty advisor approval.

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:

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