Bachelor of Science in Physics: Concentration in Astrophysics Roadmap – Quantitative Reasoning Category III/IV
120 Total Units Required
Minimum Number of Units in the Major: 72
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 your Degree Planner and an advisor for further guidance.
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.
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 197 | Prelude to Calculus I (Prerequisite for MATH 226) 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 200 | Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major (Major Prerequisite) | 1 |
| GE Area 1: English Communication | 3 | |
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MATH 198 | Prelude to Calculus II (Prerequisite for MATH 226, GE 2) 1 | 3 |
| GE Area 1A: English Composition 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1: English Communication | 3 | |
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| Units | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| MATH 226 | Calculus I (Major Prerequisite, GE 2) 1 | 4 |
| GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B: Biological Science | 3 | |
| U.S. and California Government | 3 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Select One (Major Upper-Division Core): | 3 | |
| Computer Programming | ||
| Mathematical Computing | ||
| 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, GE 5A, GE 5C) |
4 |
| GE Area 6: Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Fifth 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 5UD or 2UD: Upper-Division Sciences or Upper-Division Mathematical Concepts | 3 | |
| GE Area 3UD: Upper-Division Arts or Humanities | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| ASTR 300 | Stars, Planets, and the Milky Way (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| 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 Prerequisite) |
4 |
| GE Area 4UD: Upper-Division Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| ASTR 301 | Observational Astronomy Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) | 2 |
| Select One (Major Prerequisite): | 3 | |
| Ordinary Differential Equations I (if MATH 225 taken) | ||
| 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 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| ASTR 340GW | The Big Bang - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| ASTR 470 | Observational Techniques in Astronomy (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 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Ninth Semester | ||
| ASTR 400 | Stellar Astrophysics (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| ASTR 697 | Senior Project (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 430 | Quantum Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Major Elective (3-6 Units Total) 4 | 3 | |
| Select One: | 3 | |
Major Elective (if MATH 245 taken) 4 |
||
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 120 | |
- 1
Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 2 course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 2
First-time freshmen must take one lower-division Area 4 course that meets US History (USH).
- 3
Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 1A course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 4
Major Electives (3-6 units)
Students must take one 400-level PHYS and/or ASTR course. Student who take MATH 245 must take additional electives to reach 72 units for the major, which can be an additional 3 upper-division units in PHYS and/or ASTR, or a course outside of PHYS or ASTR with prior permission of a faculty advisor.