Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Physics and Astronomy
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 courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 115aLbL** | Advanced General Chemistry | 4-4 |
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 245 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I | 4 |
| PHYS 161L* | Advanced Principles of Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 162L* | Advanced Principles of Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 163L* | Advanced Principles of Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 190 | Physics Discovery Series | 1 |
| Required upper-division courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 445 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II | 4 |
| PHYS 304 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 316 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 408ab | Electricity and Magnetism | 4-4 |
| PHYS 438ab | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications | 4-4 |
| PHYS 440 | Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 492L | Senior Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 493L | Advanced Experimental Techniques | 4 |
| Total units | 77 | |
Bachelor of Science in Astronomy
This program is intended primarily for students who are interested in a career in astronomy.
| Required lower-division courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 245 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I | 4 |
| PHYS 161L* | Advanced Principles of Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 162L* | Advanced Principles of Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 163L* | Advanced Principles of Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 190 | Physics Discovery Series | 4 |
| Required upper-division courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 400 | The Solar System | 4 |
| ASTR 422 | Galaxies and Large-Scale Structures in the Universe | 4 |
| ASTR 424 | Cosmology | 4 |
| ASTR 450 | Stellar Astrophysics | 4 |
| MATH 445 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II | 4 |
| PHYS 304 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 316 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 408a | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 438ab | Quantum Mechanics and its Applications | 4-4 |
| PHYS 493L | Advanced Experimental Techniques | 4 |
| Total units | 73 | |
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 courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| CSCI 101L | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| CSCI 102L | Data Structures | 3 |
| CSCI 200L | Object-Oriented Programming | 3 |
| CSCI 201L | Principles of Software Development | 4 |
| CSCI 271 | Discrete Methods in Computer Science | 3 |
| EE 101 | Introduction to Digital Logic | 3 |
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 225 | Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 245 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I | 4 |
| PHYS 151L | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
| PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Required upper-division courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| CSCI 303 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CSCI 402 | Operating Systems | 4 |
| EE 357 | Basic Organization of Computer Systems | 3 |
| MATH 445 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II | 4 |
| PHYS 304 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 408ab | Electricity and Magnetism | 4-4 |
| PHYS 438ab | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications | 4-4 |
| PHYS 495 | Senior Project | 2 |
| Total units | 83 | |
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 courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 105aLbL** | General Chemistry | 4-4 |
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 245 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I | 4 |
| PHYS 161L* | Advanced Principles of Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 162L* | Advanced Principles of Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 163L* | Advanced Principles of Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 190 | Physics Discovery Series | 1 |
| Required upper-division courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 445 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II | 4 |
| PHYS 304 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 316 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 408a | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 438a | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications | 4 |
| PHYS 492L | Senior Laboratory | 4 |
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| PHYS 408b | Electricity and Magnetism | |
| PHYS 438b | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications | |
| PHYS 440 | Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics | |
| PHYS 493L | Advanced Experimental Techniques | |
| Total units | 65 | |
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 courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 245 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I | 4 |
| PHYS 161L* | Advanced Principles of Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 162L* | Advanced Principles of Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 163L* | Advanced Principles of Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 190 | Physics Discovery Series | 4 |
| Required upper-division courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 400 | The Solar System | 4 |
| ASTR 422 | Galaxies and Large-Scale Structures in the Universe | 4 |
| ASTR 424 | Cosmology | 4 |
| ASTR 450 | Stellar Astrophysics | 4 |
| PHYS 304 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 316 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 493L | Advanced Experimental Techniques | 4 |
| Total units | 57 | |
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 courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| BISC 120L | General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution | 4 |
| BISC 220L | General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology | 4 |
| CHEM 115aLbL* | Advanced General Chemistry | 4-4 |
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 245 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I | 4 |
| PHYS 161L** | Advanced Principles of Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 162L** | Advanced Principles of Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 163L** | Advanced Principles of Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 190 | Physics Discovery Series | 1 |
| Required upper-division courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| BISC 320L | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BISC 330L | Biochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 322abL | Organic Chemistry | 4-4 |
| MATH 445 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II | 4 |
| PHYS 304 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 316 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 408a | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 438a | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications | 4 |
| PHYS 444 | Physical Biology: From Molecules to Cells | 4 |
| Total units | 56 | |
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 courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 115aLbL** | Advanced General Chemistry | 4-4 |
| GEOL 105L | Planet Earth | 4 |
| PHYS 151L | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
| PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 153L | Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
| Required upper-division courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomy elective* | 4 | |
| Chemistry elective* | 4 | |
| Earth Science elective* | 4 | |
| Physics elective* | 4 | |
| Three additional electives from these fields* | 12 | |
| Other courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Total units | 64 | |
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 Courses | 28 Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 245 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I | 4 |
| PHYS 151L | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
| PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 153L | Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
| Electives — choose 3 | 12 units | |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 304 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 316 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 408a | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 438a | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications | 4 |
| Total units | 40 | |
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 Courses | 24 units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 151L | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
| PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 153L | Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
| Electives — Choose 3 | 12 units | |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 400 | The Solar System | 4 |
| ASTR 422 | Galaxies and Large-Scale Structures in the Universe | 4 |
| ASTR 424 | Cosmology | 4 |
| ASTR 450 | Stellar Astrophysics | 4 |
| Total units | 36 | |
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 adviser at least once a semester to review the direction of their academic programs. Students who have not met with an adviser 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.