Bachelor of Arts in Physics: Concentration in Astronomy – 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. (Astronomy) Major: 30 Units
MATH 226, MATH 227, MATH 228, PHYS 220, PHYS 222, PHYS 230, PHYS 232, PHYS 240, and PHYS 242 met in transfer.
- Prerequisites (8-11 units). PHYS 200, and either MATH 245 or MATH 225 and MATH 376.
- Upper-Division Requirements (14 units).
- Upper-Division Electives (3-6 units).
- Culminating Experience (2 units).
University Electives: 12 or More Units
Depends 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. Upper-division electives recommended in order to meet the minimum 30-unit requirement.
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 115 & ASTR 116 |
Introduction to Astronomy and Astronomy Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, B1) |
4 |
| Select One (Major Upper-Division Core): | 3 | |
| Computer Programming | ||
| Mathematical Computing | ||
| MATH 245 | Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (Major Prerequisite) 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 200 | Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major (Major Prerequisite) | 1 |
| PHYS 320 | Modern Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ASTR 300 | Stars, Planets, and the Milky Way (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| ASTR 340GW | The Big Bang - GWAR (MAjor Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Major Upper-Division Elective - Take Two 2 | 6 | |
| GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| ASTR 301 | Observational Astronomy Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) | 2 |
| Culminating Experience (Select 2 Units): | 2 | |
| Projects in the Teaching of Astronomy | ||
| Senior Project | ||
| Experiences in Teaching Physics | ||
| GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities | 3 | |
| GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences | 3 | |
| U.S. and California Government | 3 | |
or University Elective if met in transfer |
||
| US History | 3 | |
or University Elective if met in transfer |
||
| Units | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| University Electives - Take Five | 15 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
-
Students may also fulfill this requirement with both MATH 225 and MATH 376. This option may increase time to graduation. Speak with an advisor.
- 2
Electives (3-6 units)
Choose enough upper-division PHYS and/or ASTR courses to reach 54 units for the major, excluding 600-level PHYS or ASTR courses. Maximum of 3 units outside of ASTR or PHYS, with prior permission of a faculty advisor. With permission of a faculty advisor, extra units in 600-level courses not used to satisfy the culminating experience can be used as electives.