Sample Schedule for BS in Applied Physics - Physics First Semester

This schedule assumes a student enters with transfer or testing credit for Calculus I already completed.

Semester 1

PHYS 141/161H (Mechanics) 4
MATH 129 (Calculus II) 3
ENGL 101 3
Tier 1 Gen Ed 3
Tier 1 Gen Ed 3
  16

 

Semester 2

PHYS 142/162H (Thermo, Optics) 3 - 4
MATH 223 (Vector Calc) 4
ENGL 102 3
Tier 1 Gen Ed 3
Tier 1 Gen Ed 3
  16 - 17

 

Semester 3

PHYS 241/261H (E&M) 4
MATH 254 (Diff Eq) 3
Communications Course 3
PHYS 105A (Intro Computing) 1
Tier 2 Gen Ed 3
  14

 

Semester 4

PHYS 263H 3
PHYS 204 (Math Methods) 3
Data/Stats/Modeling Course 3
Tier 2 Gen Ed 3
Elective 3
  15

 

Semester 5

PHYS 321 (Mechanics) 3
PHYS 305 (Comp. Physics) 3
Technical Elective #1 3
Tier 2 Gen Ed 3
Elective 3
  15

 

Semester 6

PHYS 381 (Advanced Lab I) 2
PHYS 331 (E&M I) 3
Technical Elective #2 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
  14

 

Semester 7

PHYS 382 (Advanced Lab II) 2
PHYS 371 (Quantum I) 3
Technical Elective #3 3
ENGR 498A 3
Elective 3
  14

 

Semester 8

ENGR 498B 3
Technical Elective #4 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
  15

 

Notes

  • This plan assumes that the student enters with credit for Calc I and is ready to start in Calc II and the first physics course.
  • Second semester proficiency in a foreign language is required. In this sample we have assumed that the student enters with a second semester proficiency in foreign language.
  • Care must be taken to meet the requirement for 42 units of upper-division credit. This means that some of the electives should be upper-division courses.
  • Phys 381 and 382 are writing-emphasis courses.
  • Use one of the Tier 2 GenEds to satisfy the diversity requirement.
  • Students cannot double major in the BS in Physics and the BS in Applied Physics due to significant course overlap. A maximum of three (3) units of the technical electives can come from physics, math or astronomy units.