B.A. in Physics, 2021-2022 Catalog
Four Year Degree Worksheet
This degree worksheet is intended to help you develop a balanced course schedule while completing your degree within 4 years. The same sequence of courses (with fewer courses each semester) is also recommended for students completing their degree in 5 or 6 years. This worksheet is not intended to replace academic advising with your assigned advisor. Students should consult with their assigned advisor to determine the appropriate sequence of required courses and electives based on their academic goals.
Please note that your Major Specific Requirements (MSRs) are bolded in the document and are also listed as an "MSR" in the notes column. These courses must be completed in order to declare your major. All students must have a GPA of 2.25 or higher in the STEM MSR suite.
Pre-Physics first-time freshmen must complete MATH 123 or higher within one year of matriculation. Some students may need to take courses during Summer Session to meet these requirements. Students who have not met the requirements by the required semester must either declare another major or meet with an Academic Advisor to determine if the student's performance in the courses merits an additional semester to complete.
CSULB Enrollment Services prepares the Academic Requirements Report, which is the official graduation verification.
Year 1 - Semester 1
Courses to Take in Year 1 - Semester 1
| Course # |
Course Title (Units) |
Prerequisites |
Notes |
MATH 122
(area B4) |
Calculus I (4) |
Appropriate placement, MATH 111 and either 112B or 113 |
MSR |
| PHYS 151 |
Mechanics and Heat (4) |
Pre/Corequisite: MATH 122, 123, or 224 |
MSR |
| GE (area A2) |
Written Communication (3) |
Composition I |
MSR |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) |
Other Exploration (3) |
|
|
| NSCI 190A |
Experience Success Program 1 (1) |
|
Fall only |
Year 1 - Semester 2
Courses to Take in Year 1 - Semester 2
| Course # |
Course Title (Units) |
Prerequisites |
Notes |
MATH 123
(area B4) |
Calculus II (4) |
MATH 122 |
MSR |
| PHYS 152 |
Electricity and Magnetism (4) |
PHYS 151, Pre/Corequisite: MATH 123 |
MSR |
| GE (area A1) |
Oral Communication (3) |
|
MSR |
| GE (area A3) |
Critical Thinking (3) |
|
MSR |
| Elective |
Elective (1) |
|
|
Year 2 - Semester 3
Courses to Take in Year 2 - Semester 3
| Course # |
Course Title (Units) |
Prerequisites |
Notes |
| MATH 224 |
Calculus III (4) |
MATH 123 |
|
| PHYS 254 |
Applied Modern Physics (3) |
PHYS 152, Pre/Corequisite: MATH 224 |
|
| GE (area C,D,E,F) |
Other Exploration (3) |
|
|
| GE (area C,D,E,F) |
Other Exploration (3) |
|
|
| Elective |
Elective (3) |
|
|
Year 2 - Semester 4
Courses to Take in Year 2 - Semester 4
| Course # |
Course Title (Units) |
Prerequisites |
Notes |
| Upper Division Elective |
Physics (3) |
|
|
| Approved Elective |
Physics Approved Upper Division (3) |
|
|
| GE (area C,D,E,F) |
Other Exploration (3) |
|
|
| Elective |
Elective (3) |
|
|
| Elective |
Elective (3) |
|
|
Year 3 - Semester 5
Courses to Take in Year 3 - Semester 5
| Course # |
Course Title (Units) |
Prerequisites |
Notes |
| Upper Division Elective |
Physics (3) |
|
|
| GE (area B2) |
Life Science (3-4) |
|
B2NL is okay |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) |
Other Exploration (3) |
|
|
| GE (area C,D,E,F) |
Other Exploration (3) |
|
|
| Elective |
Elective (3) |
|
|
Year 3 - Semester 6
Courses to Take in Year 3 - Semester 6
| Course # |
Course Title (Units) |
Prerequisites |
Notes |
| Upper Division Elective |
Physics (3) |
|
|
| Approved Elective |
Physics Approved Upper Division (3) |
|
|
| GE Upper Division (area B-UD, C-UD, D-UD) |
Upper Division (3) |
GE Foundation |
|
| Elective |
Elective (3) |
|
|
| Elective |
Elective (3) |
|
|
Year 4 - Semester 7
Courses to Take in Year 4 - Semester 7
| Course # |
Course Title (Units) |
Prerequisites |
Notes |
| Upper Division Elective |
Physics (3) |
|
|
| Approved Elective |
Physics Approved Upper Division (3) |
|
|
| GE Upper Division (area B-UD, C-UD, D-UD) |
Upper Division (3) |
GE Foundation |
|
| Elective |
Elective (3) |
|
|
| Elective |
Elective (3) |
|
|
Year 4 - Semester 8
Courses to Take in Year 4 - Semester 8
| Course # |
Course Title (Units) |
Prerequisites |
Notes |
| Approved Elective |
Physics Approved Upper Division (3) |
|
|
| GE Upper Division (area B-UD, C-UD, D-UD) |
Upper Division (3) |
GE Foundation |
|
| GE (area C,D,E,F) |
Other Exploration (3) |
|
|
| Elective |
Elective (3) |
|
|
| Elective |
Elective (2) (Consider PHYS 496) |
PHYS 496 requires instructor consent |
|
| Elective |
Elective (1) (Consider PHYS 495) |
PHYS 495 requires instructor consent |
