Bachelor of Science in Physics: Concentration in Physics for Teaching – 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 areas B, C, and D (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 or Complementary Studies requirements.

Physics B.S. (Teaching) Major: 37-40 Units

MATH 226, MATH 227, MATH 228, PHYS 220, PHYS 222, PHYS 230, PHYS 232, PHYS 240, and PHYS 242 met in transfer.

  • Prerequisites (3 units if MATH 245 equivalent not completed before transfer; see note 1 above)
  • Upper-division Requirements (25 units)
  • Electives (12 units): May be lower- or upper-division. Selected in consultation with a department advisor; courses should prepare students to teach a second subject in addition to physics, or general science at the 9th-grade level.

University Electives: 8 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.

Plan A

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
Select One (Lower-Division Core): 1,2 3
Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra  
Ordinary Differential Equations I  
PHYS 320
PHYS 321
Modern Physics I
and Modern Physics Laboratory (Upper-Division Core) 3
5
US History  
or University Elective if US History met before transfer
 
Upper Division GE: UD-B, UD-C, or UD-D 4 3
 Units11
Second Semester
PHYS 360 Electricity and Magnetism I (Upper-Division Core) 5,6 3
PHYS 370 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Upper-Division Core) 5 3
Major Elective 7 3
Upper Division GE: UD-B, UD-C, or UD-D 3
University Elective 3
 Units15
Third Semester
PHYS 490 Physics Project Laboratory (Upper-Division Core) 3 2
SCI 652 SF State Science Partners in K-12 Schools (Upper-Division Core) 3 4
Major Elective 7 3
Upper Division GE: UD-B, UD-C, or UD-D 3
U.S. and California Government  
or University Elective if US/CA Government met before transfer
 
 Units12
Fourth Semester
PHYS 491GW Advanced Laboratory II - GWAR (Upper-Division Core) 5 1
PHYS 695 Culminating Experience in Physics (Upper-Division Core) 5 1
Major Elective – Take Two 7 6
Upper Division GE: UD-B, UD-C, or UD-D 3
or University Elective
 
University Elective 5
 Units16
 Total Units54
Plan B
Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
Select One (UD-C, USH, CSLG): 3
The U.S. Constitution to 1896 (AERM, SJ)  
The U.S. Constitution Since 1896 (AERM, SJ)  
Select One: 3
University Elective (if selecting MATH 245)
 
Linear Algebra (if selecting MATH 376)  
GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences 3
 Units9
Second Semester
Select One (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite): 3
Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra  
Ordinary Differential Equations I  
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences 3
University Elective 3
 Units9
Third Semester
PHYS 320
PHYS 321
Modern Physics I
and Modern Physics Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core)
5
PHYS 330 Analytical Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 385 Introduction to Theoretical Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
 Units11
Fourth Semester
PHYS 360 Electricity and Magnetism I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 370 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
Major Elective (12 Units Total) - Take Two 1 6
 Units12
Fifth Semester
PHYS 490 Physics Project Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) 2
SCI 652 SF State Science Partners in K-12 Schools (Major Upper-Division Core) 4
Major Elective (12 Units Total) - Take One 1 3
 Units9
Sixth Semester
PHYS 491GW Advanced Laboratory II - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) 1
PHYS 695 Culminating Experience in Physics (Major Upper-Division Core) 1
Major Elective (12 Units Total) - Take One 1 3
University Elective - Take Two 5
 Units10
 Total Units60