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: 44-47 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 or equivalent not completed before transfer).
- Upper-Division Requirements (34 units)
- Upper-Division Electives (10 units): May be units in astronomy, physics, mathematics, or related sciences.
University Electives: 4 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 (UD-C, USH, CSLG) | 3 | |
| The U.S. Constitution to 1896 (AERM, SJ) | ||
| The U.S. Constitution Since 1896 (AERM, SJ) | ||
| 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 |
| GE Area UD–B: Upper Division Physical and/or Life Sciences 4 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSC 309 | Computer Programming (Upper-Division Core) 5 | 3 |
| PHYS 360 | Electricity and Magnetism I (Upper-Division Core) 6,7 | 3 |
| PHYS 370 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Upper-Division Core) 6 | 3 |
| Major Elective 8 | 3 | |
| GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PHYS 430 | Quantum Mechanics I (Upper-Division Core) 3 | 3 |
| PHYS 460 | Electricity and Magnetism II (Upper-Division Core) 3 | 3 |
| PHYS 490 | Physics Project Laboratory (Upper-Division Core) 3 | 2 |
| Major Elective – Take Two 8 | 7 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| PHYS 431 | Quantum Mechanics II (Upper-Division Core) 6 | 3 |
| PHYS 457 | Introduction to Analog Electronics (Upper-Division Core) 6 | 4 |
| PHYS 491GW | Advanced Laboratory II - GWAR (Upper-Division Core) 6 | 1 |
| PHYS 695 | Culminating Experience in Physics (Upper-Division Core) 6 | 1 |
| GE Area UD–B: Upper Division Physical and/or Life Sciences | 3 | |
or University Elective if UD-B was already satisfied |
||
| University Elective | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
| 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 advising plan. 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 430, PHYS 460 and PHYS 490 are offered fall semesters only. |
| 4 | |
| 5 | Additional upper-division elective units in astronomy, mathematics, or physics may be substituted for CSC 309 by students proficient in computer programming, subject to approval by the department chair. |
| 6 | PHYS 360, PHYS 370, PHYS 431, PHYS 457 and PHYS 695 offered spring semesters only. |
| 7 | |
| 8 | Major Electives (10 units) Upper-division astronomy, physics, mathematics, or related sciences 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 | ||
| CSC 309 | Computer Programming (Major Upper-Division Core) 1 | 3 |
| 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 | |
| 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 (10 Units Total) - Take One 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 9 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| PHYS 430 | Quantum Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 460 | Electricity and Magnetism II (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| PHYS 490 | Physics Project Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) | 2 |
| Major Elective (10 Units Total) - Take One 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 11 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| PHYS 457 | Introduction to Analog Electronics (Major Upper-Division Core) | 4 |
| PHYS 491GW | Advanced Laboratory II - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) | 1 |
| PHYS 695 | Culminating Experience in Physics (Major Upper-Division Core) | 1 |
| Major Elective (10 Units Total) - Take One 2 | 4 | |
| University Elective | 1 | |
| Units | 11 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
| 1 | Additional upper-division elective units in astronomy, mathematics, or physics may be substituted for CSC 309 by students proficient in computer programming, subject to approval by the department chair. |
| 2 | Major Electives (10 units) Upper-division astronomy, physics, mathematics, or related sciences courses. |