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
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Units | 11 | |
| 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 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| 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 |
||
| Units | 12 | |
| 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 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 54 | |
| 1 | |
| 2 | A course in differential equations and linear algebra is required before taking PHYS 330 and PHYS 385. Students transferring in without an equivalent to MATH 245 must delay taking PHYS 330 and PHYS 385 until the following Fall semester, which will affect other elements of this sample roadmap. Overall time for degree completion will be extended. Students in this situation should consult with a department advisor for an alternate advising plan. |
| 3 | PHYS 320/PHYS 321, PHYS 490 and SCI 652 offered fall semesters only. |
| 4 | |
| 5 | PHYS 360, PHYS 370, PHYS 491GW and PHYS 695 offered spring semesters only. |
| 6 | |
| 7 | Selected in consultation with a departmental advisor to prepare to teach a second subject in addition to physics, or general science at the 9th grade level. Electives may be lower-division or upper-division courses. |
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Units | 9 | |
| 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 | |
| Units | 9 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 11 | |
| 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 | |
| Units | 12 | |
| 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 | |
| Units | 9 | |
| 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 | |
| Units | 10 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
| 1 | Selected in consultation with a departmental advisor to prepare to teach a second subject in addition to physics, or general science at the 9th grade level. Electives may be lower-division or upper-division courses. |