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

120 Total Units Required
Minimum Number of Units in the Major: 71

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
ENG 114 Writing the First Year: Finding Your Voice (A2) 1 3
MATH 226 Calculus I (Major Prerequisite, B4) 2 4
GE Area A 3 3
GE Area C 3
GE Area D 3
 Units16
Second Semester
CSC 309 Computer Programming (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
MATH 227 Calculus II (Major Prerequisite) 4
PHYS 220
PHYS 222
General Physics with Calculus I
and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (Major Prerequisite, B1, B3)
4
GE Area A 3
GE Area E 3
 Units17
Third Semester
MATH 228 Calculus III (Major Prerequisite) 4
PHYS 230
PHYS 232
General Physics with Calculus II
and General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory (Major Prerequisite)
4
GE Area B: Life Science (B2) 3
Seelct One: 3
 
Linear Algebra (if selecting MATH 376)  
 Units14
Fourth Semester
ASTR 300 Stars, Planets, and the Milky Way (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
Select One (Major Prerequisite): 3
Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra  
Ordinary Differential Equations I  
PHYS 240
PHYS 242
General Physics with Calculus III
and General Physics with Calculus III Laboratory (Major Prerequisite)
4
GE Area C - Take Two 6
 Units16
Fifth Semester
ASTR 301 Observational Astronomy Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) 2
PHYS 320 Modern Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 330 Analytical Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 385 Introduction to Theoretical Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
GE Area D 3
 Units14
Sixth Semester
ASTR 340GW The Big Bang - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 360 Electricity and Magnetism I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 370 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
GE Area F ± 3
GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences (Consider SF State Studies Course) 3
 Units15
Seventh Semester
ASTR 400 Stellar Astrophysics (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 430 Quantum Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
Major Elective (6 Units Total) – Take One 4 3
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences (Consider SF State Studies Course) 3
GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities (Consider SF State Studies Course) 3
 Units15
Eighth Semester
ASTR 470 Observational Techniques in Astronomy (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
Select One (Major Culminating Experience): 3
Astronomy Research Literature
and Culminating Experience in Physics
 
Senior Project  
Major Elective (6 Units Total) – Take One 4 3
U.S. and California Government 4
 Units13
 Total Units120