USC
University of Southern California
black horizontal bar for print styles

Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Physics

This program is intended primarily for students who are interested in a career in physics.

Required lower division coursesUnits
CHEM 115aLbL**Advanced General Chemistry4-4
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
PHYS 161L*Advanced Principles of Physics I4
PHYS 162L*Advanced Principles of Physics II4
PHYS 163L*Advanced Principles of Physics III4
PHYS 190Freshman Colloquium

Required upper division coursesUnits
MATH 445Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II4
PHYS 304Mechanics4
PHYS 316Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics4
PHYS 408abElectricity and Magnetism4-4
PHYS 438abIntroduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications4-4
PHYS 440Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics4
PHYS 492LSenior Laboratory4
PHYS 493LAdvanced Experimental Techniques4
Total units77

*PHYS 151L, PHYS 152L and PHYS 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, PHYS 162L and PHYS 163L.

**CHEM 105aLbL may be substituted for the sequence CHEM 115aLbL.

Bachelor of Science in Astronomy

This program is intended primarily for students who are interested in a career in astronomy.

Required lower division coursesUnits
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
PHYS 161L*Advanced Principles of Physics I4
PHYS 162L*Advanced Principles of Physics II4
PHYS 163L*Advanced Principles of Physics III4

Required upper division coursesUnits
ASTR 400The Solar System4
ASTR 410Stellar Astronomy4
ASTR 420Galaxies and Cosmology4
ASTR 440Astrophysics4
MATH 445Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II4
PHYS 304Mechanics4
PHYS 316Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics4
PHYS 408aElectricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 438abIntroduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications4-4
PHYS 493LAdvanced Experimental Techniques4
Total units72

*PHYS 151L, PHYS 152L and PHYS 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, PHYS 162L and PHYS 163L.

Bachelor of Science in Physics/Computer Science

This program is intended for students with dual interests in physics and computer science who wish to complete the essential courses for both majors within their normal four-year career.

Required lower division coursesUnits
CSCI 101LFundamentals of Computer Programming3
CSCI 102LData Structures3
CSCI 200LObject-Oriented Programming3
CSCI 201LPrinciples of Software Development3
CSCI 271Discrete Methods in Computer Science3
EE 101Introduction to Digital Logic3
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 225Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
PHYS 151LFundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4

Required upper division coursesUnits
CSCI 303Design and Analysis of Algorithms3
CSCI 402xOperating Systems3
EE 357Basic Organization of Computer Systems3
MATH 445Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II4
PHYS 304Mechanics4
PHYS 408abElectricity and Magnetism4-4
PHYS 438abIntroduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications4-4
PHYS 495Senior Project2
Total units81

Bachelor of Arts in Physics

This program is intended for students with an interest in physics who may not intend to pursue a career in physics.

Required lower division coursesUnits
CHEM 105aLbL**General Chemistry4-4
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
PHYS 161L*Advanced Principles of Physics I4
PHYS 162L*Advanced Principles of Physics II4
PHYS 163L*Advanced Principles of Physics III4
PHYS 190Freshman Colloquium1

Required upper division coursesUnits
MATH 445Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II4
PHYS 304Mechanics4
PHYS 316Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics4
PHYS 408aElectricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 438aIntroduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications4
PHYS 492LSenior Laboratory4

Choose one:4
PHYS 408b Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 438bIntroduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications
PHYS 440Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
PHYS 493LAdvanced Experimental Techniques
Total units65

*PHYS 151L, PHYS 152L and PHYS 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, PHYS 162L and PHYS 163L.

**CHEM 115aLbL may be substituted for the sequence CHEM 105aLbL.

Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy

This program is intended for students with an interest in astronomy who may not intend to pursue a career in the field.

Required lower division coursesUnits
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
PHYS 161L*Advanced Principles of Physics I4
PHYS 162L*Advanced Principles of Physics II4
PHYS 163L*Advanced Principles of Physics III4

Required upper division coursesUnits
ASTR 400The Solar System4
ASTR 410Stellar Astronomy4
ASTR 420Galaxies and Cosmology4
ASTR 440Astrophysics4
PHYS 304Mechanics4
PHYS 316Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics4
PHYS 493LAdvanced Experimental Techniques4
Total units56

*PHYS 151L, PHYS 152L and PHYS 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, PHYS 162L and PHYS 163L.

Bachelor of Science in Biophysics

This program is intended for students with an interest in the interdisciplinary field of biophysics. The degree program provides the physics and biology background necessary for the field while simultaneously fulfilling medical school entrance requirements.

Required lower division coursesUnits
BISC 120LGeneral Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution4
BISC 220LGeneral Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology4
CHEM 115aLbL*Advanced General Chemistry4-4
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
PHYS 161L**Advanced Principles of Physics I4
PHYS 162L**Advanced Principles of Physics II4
PHYS 163L**Advanced Principles of Physics III4

Required upper division coursesUnits
BISC 320LMolecular Biology4
BISC 330LBiochemistry 4
BISC 421Neurobiology4
CHEM 322abLOrganic Chemistry4-4
MATH 445Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II4
PHYS 304Mechanics4
PHYS 316Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics4
PHYS 408aElectricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 438aIntroduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications4
Total units84

*CHEM 105aLbL may be substituted for the sequence CHEM 115aLbL.

**PHYS 151L, PHYS 152L and PHYS 153L may be substituted for the sequence PHYS 161L, PHYS 162L and PHYS 163L.

Bachelor of Science in Physical Sciences

This program is intended for students with an interest in the physical sciences. The program is designed to allow students interested in teaching at the secondary level to enroll in courses required for the California Single Subject Teaching credential offered through the School of Education.

Required lower division coursesUnits
CHEM 115aLbL**Advanced General Chemistry4-4
GEOL 105LPlanet Earth4
PHYS 151LFundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics4

Required upper division coursesUnits
Astronomy elective*4
Chemistry elective*4
Earth Science elective*4
Physics elective*4
Three additional electives from these fields*12

*Upper division courses must be applicable to majors in their respective departments.

**CHEM 105aLbL may be substituted for the sequence CHEM 115aLbL.

Other coursesUnits
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
Total units64

Department Requirements for a Minor in Physics

The physics minor is open to all students. Engineering students must take a minimum of three upper division courses unique to the minor.

Required Courses28 Units
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
PHYS 151LFundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics4

Electives — choose 312 units
PHYS 304Mechanics4
PHYS 316Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics4
PHYS 408aElectricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 438aIntroduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications4
Total units40

Department Requirements for a Minor in Astronomy

The astronomy minor is open to all students. A minimum of three courses taken toward the minor must be unique to the minor.

Required Courses24 units
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
PHYS 151LFundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics4

Electives — Choose 312 units
ASTR 400The Solar System4
ASTR 410Stellar Astronomy4
ASTR 420Galaxies and Cosmology4
ASTR 440Astrophysics4
Total units36

Grade Point Average in Major Subject

A GPA of C (2.0) or higher is required in all upper division courses taken in the department for all of the above major degree programs. A grade of C (2.0) or higher is required in all courses in the department specifically listed as subject requirements.

Advisement

Advisement is required for all B.S. and B.A. degree candidates in the department. Students should meet with their departmental academic advisor at least once a semester to review the direction of their academic programs. Students who have not met with an advisor should contact the director of undergraduate affairs. Students are also encouraged to seek the advisement of faculty members whose specializations are appropriate to their intended field of graduate study.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Students are encouraged to become familiar with the research programs of the faculty in the department. Students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. and a career in research in physics or astronomy following graduation are strongly encouraged to become involved directly in one of the research programs, whether as summer research assistants or as part-time laboratory assistants during the academic year. Specific research opportunities will depend upon individual faculty research programs.