Bachelor of Arts in Physics Roadmap
120 Total Units Required
Minimum Number of Units in the Major: 54
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.
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 114 | Writing the First Year: Finding Your Voice (A2) 1 | 3 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus I (Major Prerequisite, B4) 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 200 | Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major (Major Prerequisite) | 1 |
| GE Area A 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area C | 3 | |
| GE Area D | 3 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MATH 227 | Calculus II (Major Prerequisite) | 4 |
| PHYS 220 & PHYS 222 |
General Physics with Calculus I and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (Major Prerequisites, B1, B3) |
4 |
| GE Area A | 3 | |
| GE Area E | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| Select One (Major Upper-Division Core): | 3 | |
| Computer Programming | ||
| Mathematical Computing | ||
| MATH 228 | Calculus III (Major Prerequisite) | 4 |
| PHYS 230 & PHYS 232 |
General Physics with Calculus II and General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory (Major Prerequisites) |
4 |
| GE Area B: Life Science (B2) | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Select One (Major Prerequisite): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Linear Algebra | ||
| Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra | ||
| PHYS 240 & PHYS 242 |
General Physics with Calculus III and General Physics with Calculus III Laboratory (Major Prerequisites) |
4 |
| GE Area D | 3 | |
| GE Area C - Take Two | 6 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| Select One (Major Prerequisite): | 3 | |
| Ordinary Differential Equations I (if MATH 225 taken) | ||
| PHYS 320 | Modern Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 321 | Modern Physics Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) | 2 |
| PHYS 385 | Introduction to Theoretical Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| GE Area F ± | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| PHYS 360 | Electricity and Magnetism I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 370 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Select One: | 3 | |
Major Elective (if MATH 245 taken) 5 |
||
| GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities | 3 | |
| U.S. and California Government | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| PHYS 330 | Analytical Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 491GW | Advanced Laboratory Techniques I - GWAR (Culminating Experience) | 3 |
| GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences | 3 | |
| GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Five 4 | 15 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 120 | |
- 1
ENG 114 can only be taken if you complete Directed Self-Placement (DSP) and select ENG 114; if you choose ENG 104/ENG 105 through DSP you will satisfy A2 upon successful completion of ENG 105 in the second semester; multilingual students may be advised into alternative English courses.
- 2
To determine the best B4 course option, students should complete the online advising activity at mathadvising.sfsu.edu. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 3
To avoid taking additional units, it is recommended that you meet the SF State Studies (AERM, GP, ES, SJ) requirements within your GE or major.
- 4
Complementary Studies
Upon completion of the BA in Physics program, students will have taken 12 units of calculus courses that satisfy complementary studies.
- 5
Electives (0-3 units)
Choose enough upper division PHYS and/or ASTR course to reach 54 units for the major. Students who take MATH 225 & MATH 376 will not need to take a PHYS or ASTR elective.
- ±
Given catalog rights, fall 2023 transfer students do not need to complete an Area F course.