Dec 14, 2024  
2024-2025, 2nd ed. General Catalog 
    
2024-2025, 2nd ed. General Catalog

Physics, BA


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The BA program allows considerable flexibility for the student who wishes to study physics as part of a liberal arts education. Students who choose this degree have the prerequisites to take nearly all of the courses in the department. Students may pair this with another area of interest or degree plan. Students find employment in scientific and engineering fields. Some go on to graduate school in interdisciplinary sciences. This degree program is also the appropriate choice for those who wish to earn a California Science Teaching Credential with a concentration in Physics and teach High School Physics.

Program Learning Outcomes


Students are required to demonstrate:

  1. Knowledge, understanding and use of the principles of physics and/or astronomy
  2. Ability to use reasoning and logic to define a problem in terms of principles of physics
  3. Ability to use mathematics and computer applications to solve physics and/or astronomy problems
  4. Ability to design and/or conduct experiments and/or observations using principles of physics and/or astronomy and physics or astronomical instrumentation
  5. Ability to properly analyze and interpret data and experimental uncertainty in order to make meaningful comparisons between experimental measurements or observation and theory
  6. Effectiveness in communication of science, including reading with understanding, and both written and oral communication 

Degree Requirements


See the “Degree Requirements ” in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

General Education Requirements (48 units)

See the “General Education ” requirements in the University Catalog for information on General Education requirements. Some major requirements may double count for GE requirements.

Bachelor of Arts in Physics


This plan is built on the calculus-based Physics sequence. Students who choose this advisory plan have the prerequisites to take nearly all of the courses in the department. They find employment in scientific and engineering fields. Some go on to graduate school in interdisciplinary sciences. This degree program is appropriate for those who wish to earn a California Science Teaching Credential with a concentration in Physics.

Major Core Requirements


The major must include a minimum of 24 upper-division units in physics and astronomy; with an advisor, choose 13-15 units in additional upper-division physics and astronomy courses.

Choose one of the following two programming courses:


Capstone course; One of the following:


Required Area of Concentration


Courses in one other field, chosen in consultation with an advisor.

Total Units: 120


Total GE units: 48

Total units in the major core: 34-38

Total units in area of concentration: 12

Total units in supporting courses: 12

Total units in the major and supporting courses (up to 9 may be applied in GE): 58 - 62

Total units required to graduate: 120

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