Courses

The Physics Department offers an outstanding course curriculum. Specialties well represented in our program include Astrophysics, Atomic-Molecular-Optical Physics, Biophysics, Condensed Matter Physics and High Energy Physics. We offer two majors. The B.S. degree requires a minimum of 52 upper division physics units and a minimum of 42 upper division physics units are required for the B.A. degree. 

BS in Physics

This option provides majors with a solid preparation to universally-acknowledged core physics concepts.

BA in Physics

This specialization is intended to provide a strong background in physics, yet allows students flexibility for study in other fields as well.

Meeting Prerequisites

All physics courses build upon prerequisite or preparatory course work and thus, prerequisites are strictly enforced by the departments. Students who have not successfully completed the prerequisites for a course will not be allowed to register.

Most upper-division courses require a "C-" or better in their course prerequisites. If you pass a course with less than a "C-" in a non-prerequisite major course you do not necessarily need to repeat the course as long as you maintain a major GPA of 2.0. Specific course prerequisite information can be found on GOLD or General Catalog. On rare occasions faculty may grant special approval for a student to enroll without a stated prerequisite, but only if the student can show evidence of preparation through other means. This does not, however, extend to other courses requiring the same prerequisite nor does it excuse the student from completing the prerequisite as a requirement for the major.