Applied Physics Track
Typical Sequence of Classes for Students
Taking Physics 141 and MATH 141Q Fall Term of their First Year
The sequence of classes listed below roughly outlines the physics and mathematics classes that an applied physics major can expect to take if he or she starts taking physics courses as a first-year student who has a solid enough foundation in mathematics to be taking the regular Calculus I course (MATH 141Q, Calculus I with Analytic Geometry) in the fall semester. Students who are not fully prepared for MATH 141Q should see the sequence of courses for students taking PHYS 141P and MATH 130 in the fall term of their first year.
The selection of courses offered each semester is determined both by student interest and the availability of faculty to teach them. Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Chemistry courses that are in bold font are generally offered every year, and those shown in italics are generally offered in alternate years.
| FALL OF FIRST YEAR | |
| PHYS 141P - University Physics I | 1 unit |
| MATH 141Q - Calculus I with Analytic Geometry | 1 unit |
| FSEM - First-Year Seminar | 1 unit |
| ENGL 101 (or other appropriate Writing course as indicated by the Writing Placement criteria) or a General Education course | 1 unit |
| SPRING OF FIRST YEAR | |
| PHYS 142P - University Physics II | 1 unit |
| MATH 142Q - Calculus II with Analytic Geometry | 1 unit |
| ENGL 101 (or other appropriate Writing course as indicated by the Writing Placement criteria) or a General Education course | 1 unit |
| General Education course | 1 unit |
| FALL OF SOPHOMORE YEAR | |
| PHYS 243 - Modern Physics | 1 unit |
| PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium | non-credit |
| CSCI 141 - Introduction to Computer Science I | 1 unit |
| General Education course | 1 unit |
| General Education course | 1 unit |
| SPRING OF SOPHOMORE YEAR | |
| PHYS 312 - Laboratory Techniques | 1 unit |
| PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium | non-credit |
| MATH 211 - Linear Algebra | 1 unit |
| General Education course | 1 unit |
| General Education course | 1 unit |
| Note: Students should verify on their degree audit that they have met all their General Education course requirements (noting that their JSEM will be taken junior year) before considering them completed on this checklist. | |
| FALL OF JUNIOR YEAR | |
| PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium | non-credit |
| CHEM 141P - General Chemistry I | 1 unit |
| Physics Elective: PHYS 352 - Optics or PHYS 356 - Electronics | 1 unit |
| JSEM - Junior Seminar or Elective course | 1 unit |
| Elective course | 1 unit |
| SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR | |
| PHYS 497 - Senior Project Proposal | 1/2 unit |
| PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium | non-credit |
| CSCI 261 - Introduction to Scientific Computing or CSCI 361 - Numerical Analysis |
1 unit |
| CHEM 142P - General Chemistry II | 1 unit |
| PHYS 412 - Advanced Laboratory Techniques or PHYS 397 - Physics Internship or JSEM - Junior Seminar or Elective course |
1 unit |
| Elective course | 1 unit |
| FALL OF SENIOR YEAR | |
| PHYS 498 - Senior Project | 1 unit |
| PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium | non-credit |
| Physics Elective: PHYS 352 - Optics or PHYS 356 - Electronics | 1 unit |
| Elective course | 1 unit |
| Elective course | 1 unit |
| SPRING OF SENIOR YEAR | |
| PHYS 499 - Senior Seminar | 1/2 unit |
| PHYS 380 - Physics Colloquium | non-credit |
| Elective course | 1 unit |
| Elective course | 1 unit |
| Elective course | 1 unit |
| Elective course | 1 unit |
| The elective courses may include either one or more of the following physics courses or other courses: PHYS 362 - Thermophysics PHYS 397 - Internship in Physics PHYS 412 - Advanced Laboratory Techniques |
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