Bachelor of Arts in Physics: Concentration in Astronomy Roadmap – Quantitative Reasoning Category I/II and ENG 114

120 Total Units Required
Minimum Number of Units in the Major: 52

This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult an advisor in your major program for further guidance.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
ASTR 115 Introduction to Astronomy (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, B1) 3
ENG 114 Writing the First Year: Finding Your Voice (A2) 1 3
MATH 226 Calculus I (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, B4) 2 4
GE Area A 3 3
GE Area C 3
 Units16
Second Semester
MATH 227 Calculus II (Major Lower-Divison Prerequisite) 4
PHYS 220
PHYS 222
General Physics with Calculus I
and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, B1, B3)
4
GE Area A 3
GE Area E 3
 Units14
Third Semester
MATH 228 Calculus III (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite) 4
PHYS 230
PHYS 232
General Physics with Calculus II
and General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite)
4
GE Area C 3
GE Area D 3
 Units14
Fourth Semester
ASTR 300 Stars, Planets, and the Milky Way (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
MATH 245 Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (Hidden Prerequisite for PHYS 320) 3
PHYS 240
PHYS 242
General Physics with Calculus III
and General Physics with Calculus III Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite)
4
GE Area B: Life Science (B2) 3
GE Area D 3
 Units16
Fifth Semester
ASTR 301 Observational Astronomy Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) 2
PHYS 320
PHYS 321
Modern Physics I
and Modern Physics Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core)
5
GE Area C 3
GE Area F ± 3
U.S. and California Government 3
 Units16
Sixth Semester
ASTR 340GW The Big Bang - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
ASTR 470 Observational Techniques in Astronomy (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences (Consider SF State Studies Course) 3
GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities (Consider SF State Studies Course) 3
SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 4 3
 Units15
Seventh Semester
Major Elective - Take Two 5 6
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences (Consider SF State Studies Course) 3
SF State Studies or University Elective 4 4
 Units13
Eighth Semester
PHYS 695 Culminating Experience in Physics (Major Upper-Division Core) 1
Major Elective - Take One 5 3
SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Four 4 12
 Units16
 Total Units120