B.S. in Physics (Standard Track)
The Standard Track is for students who primarily wish to work in industry in STEM fields or prepare for graduate school in Physics, Astronomy or Engineering. The program consists of 70 units at lower division (27 in Physics, 15 chemistry, 24 math, 4 computer science) and a minimum of 57 units at upper division, totaling 127 units in the major and 40 units of breadth. A minimum of 165 units is required to fulfill program requirements. The schedule below prepares students optimally for graduate school applications due Fall of Year 4. The following schedule has 196 units with 6 general elective courses. 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.
Note: Phys 142W satisfies the 4-unit Engl 1C breadth requirement.
Sample course plan for Physics Standard Track
This sample course plan begins with the physics 41ABC series, which is strongly recommended. Please see this web page for alternative introductory physics options.
- Students who place into ARC 35 should see this page.
- Students who place into Math 6A should see this page.
- Students who place into Math 5 or Math 6B should see this page.
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) |
| Chem 1A/1AL (5 units) | Chem 1B/1BL (5 units) | Chem 1C/1CL (5 units) |
| Math 10A (4 units) | Math 10B (4 units) | Math 46 (4 units) |
| CS 10A or CS 9P (4 units) | Breadth 1 of 7 (4 units) | Breadth 2 of 7 (4 units) |
| Total units 17 | Total units 17 | Total units 17 |
Junior year |
||
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 135A (4 units) | Phys 135B (4 units) | Phys 136 (4 units) |
| Phys 156A (4 units) | Phys 156B (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Required Phys Elective (4 units) | Elective (4 units) | Required Phys Elective (4 units): 156 C, recommended for grad school |
| Breadth 3 of 7 (4 units) | Breadth 4 of 7 (4 units) | Breadth 5 of 7 (4 units) |
| Total units 16 | Total units 16 | Total units 16 |
Senior year |
||
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 139L (5 units) | Phys 142W (5 units) | Phys 142L (4 units) |
| Required Phys Elective (4 units) | Breadth 7 of 7 (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Breadth 6 of 7 (4 units) | Elective (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Elective (4 units) | Elective (4 units) | |
| Total units 17 | Total units 17 | Total units 12 |
Total units: 197 including 6 general electives. |
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- Students completing the 40ABC series can take 41C in Year 2.