Program Overview

Program Overview

The BA Physics program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical concepts and mathematical techniques of physics. The program aims to equip students with the skills to work safely with modern laboratory equipment, use computers to perform numerical computations, and communicate effectively.

Program Learning Objectives

The program learning objectives are:

1. Demonstrate a good understanding of both the theoretical concepts and mathematical techniques of the major fields of physics: classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum physics.
2. Work safely with modern laboratory equipment to carry out measurements and analyze data.
3. Use computers to perform numerical computations, to simulate physical phenomena, and to collect and analyze data in the laboratory.
4. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
5. Move successfully into graduate school or a career in teaching or industry.

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

In addition to the program requirements, students must also satisfy the minimum requirements for graduation, including:

• 60 units of upper-division courses
• Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR)
• 2.0 GPA
• U.S. Cultural Pluralism (USCP)

The major courses include:

• PHYS 141: General Physics IA
• PHYS 132: General Physics II
• PHYS 133: General Physics III
• PHYS 206: Electronics and Instrumentation
• PHYS 211: Modern Physics I
• PHYS 212: Modern Physics II
• PHYS 301: Thermal Physics I
• PHYS 302: Classical Mechanics I
• PHYS 320: Methods of Theoretical Physics I
• PHYS 405: Quantum Mechanics I
• PHYS 408: Electromagnetic Fields and Waves I
• PHYS 461: Senior Project I
• MATH 141: Calculus I
• MATH 142: Calculus II
• MATH 143: Calculus III
• MATH 206: Linear Algebra I
• MATH 241: Calculus IV
• MATH 242: Differential Equations I

Upper-Division Electives

Students must select 22 units from the following:

• Laboratory Electives: ASTR 444, PHYS 323, PHYS 340, PHYS 341, PHYS 357, PHYS 417, PHYS 422, PHYS 423, PHYS 452
• Technical Electives: Any 300-400 level courses with PHYS, ASTR, or GEOL prefix, or HIST 350, PHIL 321, PHIL 323, PHIL 421

Breadth Electives

Students must select 7 units from any 300-400 level course.

General Education (GE) Requirements

The GE requirements include:

• 72 units required, 12 of which are specified in Major and/or Support
• A grade of C- or better is required in one course in each of the following GE Areas: A1 (Oral Communication), A2 (Written Communication), A3 (Critical Thinking), and B4 (Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning)

The GE course listing includes:

• Area A: English Language Communication and Critical Thinking
  • A1: Oral Communication
  • A2: Written Communication
  • A3: Critical Thinking
• Area B: Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
  • B1: Physical Science
  • B2: Life Science
  • B3: One lab taken with either a B1 or B2 course
  • B4: Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
• Area C: Arts and Humanities
  • C1: Arts
  • C2: Humanities
• Area D: Social Sciences
  • D1: American Institutions
  • D2: Lower-Division D
• Area E: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development
  • Lower-Division E

Total Units

The total units required for the degree are 180.