B.S. in Physics, 2021-2022 Catalog
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
| 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) | MSR | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | ||
| NSCI 190A | Experience Success Program I (1) | Fall only |
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
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 224 | Calculus III (4) | MATH 123 | |
| PHYS 254 | Applied Modern Physics (3) | PHYS 152, Corequisite: MATH 224 | |
| PHYS 255 | Laboratory on Modern Physics (1) | Pre/Corequisite: PHYS 254 | |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | ||
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | ||
| Elective | Elective (1) |
Year 2 - Semester 4
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 247 | Introduction to Linear Algebra (3) | MATH 123 | |
| PHYS 310 or PHYS 360 | Analytic Mechanics (3) or Physics with Symbolic Algebra Software (3) | PHYS 151; Corequisite: MATH 364A or 370A or 247 PHYS 254, Corequisite: MATH 247 | |
| BIOL 200; OR BIOL 211; OR CHEM 111A |
General Biology (4); OR Evolution & Diversity (4); OR General Chemistry (5) |
GE Foundation Requirements; OR Corequisite: CHEM 111A; OR CPT score of 24 or higher; MATH 112A or 112B or higher |
|
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | ||
| Elective | Elective (1-2) |
Year 3 - Semester 5
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 364A | Ordinary Differential Equations I (3) | MATH 224. Pre/Corequisite: MATH 247 | |
| PHYS 310; OR PHYS 360 |
Analytic Mechanics (3); OR Physics with Symbolic Algebra Software (3) |
PHYS 151. Corequisite: MATH 364A or 370A or 247; OR PHYS 254. Corequisite: MATH 247 |
|
| PHYS 320 | Thermodynamics (3) | PHYS 152; Pre/Corequisite: PHYS 254 | Fall only |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) | ||
| Elective | Elective (3) |
Year 3 - Semester 6
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 340A | Electricity and Magnetism I (3) | PHYS 152 and 310, Pre/Corequisite: MATH 364A or 370A | Spring only |
| PHYS 350 | Quantum Physics I (3) | PHYS 310 and 254; MATH 370A or 364A | Spring only |
| PHYS 380 | Electronics (4) | PHYS 152 and 255 | Spring only |
| MATH 361A or UD MATH Elective | Intro Math Analysis I (3) | Prerequisites: MATH 224, and MATH 233 or MATH 247 | MATH 361A = GE AREA UD B |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) |
Year 4 - Semester 7
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 340B | Electricity and Magnetism II (3) | PHYS 340A | Fall only |
| PHYS 450 | Quantum Physics II (3) | PHYS 310, 340A, and 350 | Fall only |
| Upper Division Elective | Physics (3) | ||
| GE Upper Division (area C-UD, D-UD) | Upper Division (3) | GE Foundation | GWAR/WI |
| GE (area C,D,E,F) | Other Exploration (3) |
Year 4 - Semester 8
| Course # | Course Title (Units) | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Division Elective | Physics (3) | ||
| Upper Division Elective | Physics Laboratory Course (3) | ||
| GE Upper Division (area C-UD, D-UD) | Upper Division (3) | GE Foundation | |
| GE (area B2) | Life Science (3-4) | needed if BIOL 200 or 211 NOT taken | |
| Elective | Elective (1) |
