Program Overview

Program: Physics, B.A.

Program Description

The B.A. program in Physics is designed for students who are seeking a broad foundation in physics as part of a liberal arts education in the arts and sciences. It is particularly appropriate for those students seeking a secondary teaching career or planning to combine physics with other disciplines, such as music, law, and business.

Program Requirements

To enroll in the first courses in Mathematics and Computer Science, students must meet the prerequisites; otherwise, they may be required to take additional courses in preparation for the required courses. Students must complete the course requirements listed. In addition, all students are required to take a comprehensive exam on advanced physics prior to graduation. The dates of the exam will be posted in the department office. Finally, students are required to do a senior project in their final year and pass the associated class PHYS 497.

1. Lower Division Required Courses (35-37 units)

• COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming and Lab (3/1)
  • or COMP 111A/L and COMP 111B/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming and Lab (2/1, 2/1)
• MATH 150A Calculus I (5)
• MATH 150B Calculus II (5)
• MATH 250 Calculus III (3)
• MATH 280 Applied Differential Equations (3)
• PHYS 225 Physics I (4) and PHYS 220AL Mechanics Lab (1)
• PHYS 226 Physics II (4) and PHYS 220BL Electricity and Magnetism Lab (1)
• PHYS 227 Physics III (4)
• PHYS 227L Physics III Lab (1)

2. Upper Division Required Courses (22 units)

• PHYS 301 Analytical Mechanics I (3)
• PHYS 311 Electromagnetism I (3)
• PHYS 365 Experimental Physics I (2)
• PHYS 375 Quantum Physics I (3)
• PHYS 389 Mathematical Methods in Physics I (3)
• PHYS 431 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (4)
• PHYS 493 Physics and Astronomy Colloquium (1)
• PHYS 497 Senior Project (3)

3. Upper Division Electives (6 units)

Electives should be chosen with approval of the department undergraduate advisor. Note: Upper division courses in the major plus upper division courses outside the major must total a minimum of 40 units in accordance with University requirements for a B.A. degree.

4. General Education (43 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 43 units of General Education, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

• 10 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major:
  • MATH 150A satisfies Basic Skills Area 2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
  • PHYS 225 satisfies Area 5A Physical Science
  • PHYS 220AL satisfies Area 5C Science Laboratory Activity
  • PHYS 301 satisfies Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division

5. Campus Requirements (6 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 6 units of Campus Requirements. COMP 110/L or COMP 111B/L meets the Lifelong Learning requirement.

Program Statistics

• Total Units in the Major: 63-65
• General Education Units: 33
• Campus Requirement Units: 3
• Additional Units: 19-21
• Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120

Program Learning Outcomes

Students receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Physics will be able to:

• Describe natural phenomena in general and in their chosen program option using principles of physics.
• Set up laboratory experiments and collect data from observations and experiments.
• Combine insights and techniques from the various courses in the program.
• Derive quantitative predictions from a model through mathematical analysis.
• Analyze data, provide error analysis, and test a model or hypothesis by comparing with data.
• Competently use computer tools, including software programs for data analysis and presentation, numerical analysis, and computer simulations.
• Convey physical concepts with mathematical expressions.
• Clearly communicate physical concepts, findings, and interpretations through oral presentations.
• Write clear, organized, and illustrated technical reports with proper references to previous work in the area.
• Search for and read scientific literature.
• Make unbiased and objective judgments of theories and experiments.
• Maintain integrity in their research and adhere to ethical principles regarding plagiarism, data collection, and selective data sampling.
• Give proper attribution.
• Practice lab safety.