Bachelor of Science in Physics 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 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| MATH 226 | Calculus I (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, GE 2) 1 | 4 |
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B: Biological Science | 3 | |
| U.S. and California Government | 3 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Select One (Upper-Division Core): | 3 | |
| Computer Programming | ||
| Mathematical Computing | ||
| MATH 227 | Calculus II (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite) | 4 |
| PHYS 220 & PHYS 222 |
General Physics with Calculus I and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, GE 5A, GE 5C) |
4 |
| GE Area 6: Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| MATH 228 | Calculus III (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite) | 4 |
| PHYS 230 & PHYS 232 |
General Physics with Calculus II and General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory (Major Lower-Division 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 | ||
| Select One (Major Lower-Division 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 Lower-Division Prerequisite) |
4 |
| Select One: | 3 | |
Major Elective (8-11 Units Total) 4 |
||
| GE Area 4UD: Upper-Division Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| Select One: | 3 | |
| Ordinary Differential Equations I (if MATH 225 was taken) | ||
| 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 | 14 | |
| Eighth 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) 4 | 4 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Ninth Semester | ||
| 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 |
| Major Elective (8-11 Units Total) 4 | 4 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| 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
Electives (8-11 units)
Choose enough upper-division PHYS and/or ASTR course 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.