Program Overview
Physics, B.S.
Overview
The goal of the undergraduate majors in Physics and Applied Physics is to develop expert problem solvers with a broad understanding of physical principles. The programs are flexible and prepare students for careers in industrial research, applications programming, education, law, or business, as well as for graduate study in astronomy, biomedical physics, engineering, or physics.
Admission
Students may be admitted to the Physics or Applied Physics majors upon entering the University as freshmen, via change of major, or as transfer students from other colleges and universities. Information about change of major policies is available in the Physical Sciences Student Affairs Office and at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website. For transfer student admission, preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: one year of approved calculus and one year of calculus-based physics with laboratory for engineering and physics majors.
Requirements
- MATH 2A | Single-Variable Calculus I
- or MATH 5A | Calculus for Life Sciences I
- MATH 2B | Single-Variable Calculus II
- MATH 2D-2E | Multivariable Calculus I and Multivariable Calculus II
- MATH 3A | Introduction to Linear Algebra
- MATH 3D | Elementary Differential Equations
- PHYSICS 7C-7D-7E | Classical Physics and Classical Physics and Classical Physics
- PHYSICS 7LC-7LD | Classical Physics Laboratory and Classical Physics Laboratory
- PHYSICS 50 | Introductory Mathematical Physics
- PHYSICS 52A-52B-52C | Fundamentals of Experimental Physics and Fundamentals of Experimental Physics and Fundamentals of Experimental Physics
- PHYSICS 53 | Introduction to Programming and Numerical Analysis (or another programming course)
- PHYSICS 60 | Thermal Physics
- PHYSICS 61A | Modern Physics for Majors
- PHYSICS 61B | Modern Physics for Majors
- or PHYSICS 61C | Introduction to Astrophysics
- PHYSICS 111A-111B | Classical Mechanics and Classical Mechanics
- PHYSICS 112A-112B | Electromagnetic Theory and Electromagnetic Theory
- PHYSICS 113A | Quantum Mechanics
- PHYSICS 115A | Statistical Physics
- PHYSICS 121W | Advanced Laboratory
- PHYSICS 125A | Mathematical Physics
- PHYSICS 194 | Research Communication for Physics Majors
- And select five additional coherently related four-unit courses
Concentrations
Concentration in Computational Physics
The Computational Physics concentration provides training for positions in software development in a wide variety of high-technology fields. Requirements include:
- Three courses in computer science:
- I&C SCI 31 | Introduction to Programming
- I&C SCI 32 | Programming with Software Libraries
- I&C SCI 33 | Intermediate Programming
- Two courses in numerical analysis plus the accompanying laboratories:
- MATH 105A-105B | Numerical Analysis I and Numerical Analysis II
- MATH 105LA-105LB | Numerical Analysis Laboratory and Numerical Analysis Laboratory
- One advanced computational course and accompanying laboratory:
- MATH 107-107L | Numerical Differential Equations and Numerical Differential Equations Laboratory
Concentration in Philosophy of Physics
The Philosophy of Physics concentration is concerned with the study of the conceptual history of physics, the method of inquiry that has led to our best physical theories, and the structure and interpretation of the theories themselves. Requirements include:
- Select one from the following:
- LPS 40 | The Nature of Scientific Inquiry
- LPS 60 | The Making of Modern Science
- SOC SCI H1G | Honors: Critical Issues on the Social Sciences
- LPS H125 | What Is Time?
- or another approved Campuswide Honors course
- Select one of the following:
- LPS 30 | Introduction to Symbolic Logic
- LPS 104 | Introduction to Logic
- LPS 105A-105B-105C | Introduction to Set Theory and Mathematical Reasoning and Metalogic and Undecidability and Incompleteness
- MATH 150 | Introduction to Mathematical Logic
- Complete:
- LPS 31 | Introduction to Inductive Logic
- Select one from the following:
- LPS 104 | Introduction to Logic
- LPS 105A-105B-105C | Introduction to Set Theory and Mathematical Reasoning and Metalogic and Undecidability and Incompleteness
- LPS 140 | Topics in Philosophy of Science
- MATH 150 | Introduction to Mathematical Logic
- Complete:
- PHYSICS 113B | Quantum Mechanics
- Select three from the following:
- LPS 141B | Geometry and Spacetime
- LPS 141D | Probability and Determinism
- or other approved Philosophy of Physics course
Concentration in Physics Education
The Physics Education concentration is for students who plan a career in secondary education. Requirements include:
- EDUC 55 | Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science
- PHY SCI 5 | California Teach 1: Introduction to Science and Mathematics Teaching
- PHY SCI 105 | California Teach 2: Middle School Science and Mathematics Teaching
- PHYSICS 193 | Research Methods
- Select four courses from the following:
- BIO SCI 93 | From DNA to Organisms
- BIO SCI 94 | From Organisms to Ecosystems
- CHEM 1A-1B-1C | General Chemistry and General Chemistry and General Chemistry
- EARTHSS 1 | Introduction to Earth System Science
- EARTHSS 7 | Physical Geology
- PHYSICS 20A-20B | Introduction to Astronomy and Cosmology: Humanity's Place in the Universe
Specialization in Astrophysics
The Astrophysics specialization is primarily taken by two types of students, those planning on going on to graduate school in astronomy or astrophysics and those planning to work in aeronautics or astrophysics-related industries or government research laboratories after receiving their bachelors degree. Requirements include:
- Complete:
- PHYSICS 61C | Introduction to Astrophysics
- PHYSICS 139 | Observational Astrophysics
- Select three courses from the following:
- PHYSICS 137 | Introduction to Cosmology
- PHYSICS 138 | Astrophysics of Galaxies
- PHYSICS 144 | Stellar Astrophysics
- PHYSICS 145 | High-Energy Astrophysics
- Two or more upper-division Physics courses
Sample Programs
Sample Program Physics Core Curriculum
Freshman:
- Fall: MATH 2B, PHYSICS 7C, PHYSICS 7LC
- Winter: MATH 2D, PHYSICS 7D, PHYSICS 7LD
- Spring: MATH 2E, PHYSICS 7E Sophomore:
- Fall: MATH 3A, PHYSICS 52A, PHYSICS 60
- Winter: MATH 3D, PHYSICS 52B, PHYSICS 61A
- Spring: PHYSICS 52C, PHYSICS 61B or 61C Junior:
- Fall: PHYSICS 111A, PHYSICS 50
- Winter: PHYSICS 111B, PHYSICS 112A
- Spring: PHYSICS 112B, PHYSICS 113A Senior:
- Fall: PHYSICS 115A, PHYSICS 194
- Winter: PHYSICS 121W, PHYSICS 125A
Sample Program Computational Physics Concentration
Junior:
- Fall: I&C SCI 31
- Winter: I&C SCI 32
- Spring: I&C SCI 33 Senior:
- Fall: MATH 105A, MATH 105LA
- Winter: MATH 105B, MATH 105LB
- Spring: MATH 107, MATH 107L
Sample Program Concentration in Physics Education with Secondary Teaching Certification Option
Freshman:
- Fall: MATH 2B, PHYSICS 7C, PHYSICS 7LC
- Winter: MATH 2D, PHYSICS 7D, PHYSICS 7LD
- Spring: MATH 2E, PHYSICS 7E Sophomore:
- Fall: MATH 3A, PHYSICS 52A, PHY SCI 5
- Winter: MATH 3D, PHYSICS 52B, PHYSICS 61A
- Spring: PHYSICS 52C, PHYSICS 61B, PHYSICS 193 Junior:
- Fall: PHYSICS 50, PHYSICS 111A
- Winter: PHYSICS 111B, PHYSICS 112A
- Spring: PHYSICS 112B, PHYSICS 113A Senior:
- Fall: PHYSICS 115A, EDUC 143AW
- Winter: PHYSICS 121W, EDUC 143BW
- Spring: PHYSICS 125A, EDUC 158
Honors Program
The Honors Program in Physics encourages all students majoring in Physics or Applied Physics to consider advanced work in one of the research areas of the Department. To qualify for Honors in Physics, students should begin a research project with a supervising faculty member no later than fall of their senior year and then complete three quarters of Honors Thesis in Physics (PHYSICS H196A-PHYSICS H196B-PHYSICS H196C). Students have to complete the H196 sequence and submit a final written thesis before graduation. If this work is deemed of honors quality by the program advisor, and the student's grade point average is at least 3.4 overall and 3.5 in physics courses, the student will graduate with Departmental Honors in Physics.