Bachelor of Arts in Physics – PHYS Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Roadmap

This is a sample pathway for students who transfer to San Francisco State University in the current Bulletin year with an AS-T in Physics. Twenty-four units in the major (MATH 226, MATH 227, MATH 228, PHYS 220, PHYS 222, PHYS 230, PHYS 232, PHYS 240, and PHYS 242) and all lower-division GE requirements have been satisfied. Additional units in the major may have been satisfied. Check with a major advisor about the most appropriate course sequence. Degree completion guaranteed in 60 units; see the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) section for more information.

To Do at SF State:

Enough total units to reach 120 minimum for graduation; 30 units minimum at the upper-division level; to include the following:

University-Wide Requirements: 9–15 Units

  • American Institutions (0–6 units): US History, US Government, California State and Local Government requirements if not taken before transfer.
  • Upper-Division GE (9 units): Courses required for the major may double-count if approved for UD GE.
  • Students entering the major with the AS-T in Physics are not required to fulfill SF State Studies requirements.
  • Complementary Studies is met in major with required mathematics.

Physics B.A. Major:  25–28 Units

MATH 226, MATH 227, MATH 228, PHYS 220, PHYS 222, PHYS 230, PHYS 232, PHYS 240, and PHYS 242 met in transfer.

  • Prerequisites (3 units if MATH 245 equivalent not completed before transfer).
  • Upper-Division Requirements (21 units).
  • Upper-Division Electives (4 units).

University Electives: 21 or More Units

Depending on course choices made at the community college, how transferred units are applied to the requirements above, and course choices at SF State. Some courses may meet more than one requirement, e.g. both in UD GE and the major.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
US History 3
or University Elective if US History met in transfer
Select One: 3
University Elective (if selecting MATH 245)
Linear Algebra (if selecting MATH 376)
GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences 3
University Elective 3
 Units12
Second Semester
Select One (Major Prerequisite): 3
Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra
Ordinary Differential Equations I
GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities 3
U.S. and California Government 3
or University Elective if US/CA Government met before transfer
University Elective 3
 Units12
Third Semester
PHYS 320 Modern Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 321 Modern Physics Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) 2
PHYS 330 Analytical Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 385 Introduction to Theoretical Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
University Elective 3
 Units14
Fourth Semester
PHYS 360 Electricity and Magnetism I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 370 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
University Elective - Take Two 5
 Units11
Fifth Semester
PHYS 491GW Advanced Laboratory Techniques I - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 695 Culminating Experience in Physics (Major Upper-Division Core) 1
Major Elective (On advisement. PHYS 460 or PHYS 325 recommended.) 4
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences 3
 Units11
 Total Units60