B.A. in Physics
The BA degree is a flexible degree with the balance of a liberal arts degree and rigor to make students competitive for graduate school in astronomy, physics, or engineering and unique preparation for professional school admission and careers (i.e., patent law, high technology business, science education, science/defense/energy policy). The BA requires 70 units of lower division (27 Physics, 15 Chemistry, 24 Math, 4 Computer Science), and a minimum of 41 units of upper division Physics, totaling 111 units in the major and 68 units of breadth, totaling 179 units. The differences between the BA and BS degree requirements are that the BA degree replaces 16 units of upper division physics with 28 units of additional breadth requirements (+8 humanities, +4 social sciences, +16 foreign language).
The sample schedule below is shown with 199 units including 5 general electives. Note that you must complete a minimum of 180 units to be eligible for graduation. Students who wish to take more than 216 units must receive permission from the associate dean. Travel Abroad may be easily accommodated in Spring of Year 3.
Sample course plan for B.A. in Physics
Freshman year |
||
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Phys 41A (8 units) | Phys 41B (8 units) | Phys 41C (8 units) |
| Math 9A (4 units) | Math 9B (4 units) | Math 9C (4 units) |
| English 1A (4 units) | English 1B (4 units) | Breadth, Elective, or CS 10 (4 units) |
| Phys 39 (3 units) S/NS | ||
| Total units 19 | Total units 16 | Total units 16 |
Sophomore year |
||
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 130A (4 units) | Phys 130B (4 units) | Phys 132 (4 units) |
| Math 10A (4 units) | Math 10B (4 units) | Math 46 (4 units) |
| CS 10A or CS 9P (4 units) | Breadth 1 of 10 (4 units) | Breadth 2 of 10 (4 units) |
| Foreign Language 1 of 4 (4 units) | Foreign Language 2 of 4 (4 units) | Foreign Language 3 of 4 (4 units) |
| Total units 16 | Total units 16 | Total units 15 |
Junior year |
||
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 135A (4 units) | Phys 135B (4 units) |
Physics Elective (4 units) |
| Chem 1A/1AL (5 units) | Chem 1B/1BL (5 units) | Chem 1C/1CL (5 units) |
| Foreign Language 4 of 4 (4 units) | Breadth 4 of 10 (4 units) | Breadth 6 of 10 (4 units) |
| Breadth 3 of 10 (4 units) | Breadth 5 of 10 (4 units) | Breadth 7 of 10 (4 units) |
| Total units 17 | Total units 17 | Total units 17 |
Senior year |
||
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 156A (4 units) | Phys 156B (4 units) |
Science/Math/Engineering |
| Phys 139L (5 units) | Phys 142W (5 units) | Breadth 10 of 10 (4 units) |
| Breadth 8 of 10 (4 units) | Breadth 9 of 10 (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Elective (4 units) | Elective (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Total units 17 | Total units 17 | Total units 16 |
Total units: 199 including 5 general electives.