Bachelor of Science in Physics – 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): If not met before transfer, refer to the next bullet for advice.
- Upper-Division GE (9 units): Courses may satisfy the US History or US/CA Government requirements, and UD-C or UD-D at the same time, if approved for multiple areas.
- 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. Major: 46 Units
MATH 226, MATH 227, MATH 228, PHYS 220, PHYS 222, PHYS 230, PHYS 232, PHYS 240, and PHYS 242 met in transfer.
- Prerequisites (4-7 units if MATH 245 or MATH 225/MATH 376 or equivalent not completed before transfer).
- Upper-Division Requirements (30 units)
- Upper-Division Electives (8-11 units): Choose enough upper-division PHYS and/or ASTR courses to reach 72 units for the major. A maximum of 5 units of 600-level PHYS and/or ASTR can be used as electives. Maximum of 3 units outside of ASTR or PHYS, with prior permission of a faculty advisor.
- Culminating Experience (3 units): PHYS 491GW
University Electives: 3 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.
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Select One (Major Upper-Division Core): | 3 | |
| Computer Programming | ||
| Mathematical Computing | ||
| MATH 245 | Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (Major Prerequisite) 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 200 | Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major (Major Prerequisite) | 1 |
| PHYS 320 & PHYS 321 |
Modern Physics I and Modern Physics Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) |
5 |
| PHYS 385 | Introduction to Theoretical Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS 360 | Electricity and Magnetism I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 370 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 457 | Introduction to Analog Electronics (Major Upper-Division Core) | 4 |
| Major Elective (8-11 Units Total) - Take One 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PHYS 330 | Analytical Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 430 | Quantum Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 460 | Electricity and Magnetism II (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 491GW | Advanced Laboratory Techniques I - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Major Elective (8-11 Units Total) - Take As Needed 2 | 8 | |
| Select One (UD-C, USH, USG/CSLG): | 3 | |
| The U.S. Constitution to 1896 (AERM, SJ) | ||
| The U.S. Constitution Since 1896 (AERM, SJ) | ||
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
-
Students may also fulfill this requirement with both MATH 225 and MATH 376. This option may increase time to graduation. Speak with an advisor.
- 2
Electives (8-11 units)
Choose enough upper-division PHYS and/or ASTR courses to reach 72 units for the major. Maximum of 5 units of 600-level PHYS and/or ASTR can be used as electives. Maximum of 3 units outside of ASTR or PHYS, with prior permission of a faculty advisor.