Physics, BA

This 120-unit program, offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy , provides a strong foundation in physics while allowing sufficient electives for the student to pursue a second program of study in another field (e.g., science education, business, math, or another science; transfer students must take at least 12 units of upper division physics major courses at SJSU with a GPA of 2.0 or better in these courses).

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3A, 3B, 4, UD 3, or UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 units (see Writing in the Disciplines)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division General Education: 18 (3 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

American Institutions/ US123 Requirements: 6 (Note: may be satisfied by GE coursework)

Upper Division General Education: 9

Physical Education: 2

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR): 3

Major Preparation: 33

Major Requirements: 37

University Electives: 12

Total: 120

2. Major Preparation (33 units)

CHEM 1A - General Chemistry 5 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
MATH 30 - Calculus I 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4)
MATH 31 - Calculus II 4 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4)
MATH 32 - Calculus III 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4)
MATH 33A - Ordinary Differential Equations for SCI & ENGR 3 unit(s)
MATH 39 - Linear Algebra I 3 unit(s)
PHYS 50 - General Physics I: Mechanics 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
PHYS 51 - General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)
PHYS 52 - General Physics III: Waves, Light, Heat 4 unit(s) (GE Area 5A and 5C / Formerly Area B1 and B3)

3. Major Requirements (37 units)

Core Courses

PHYS 20 - Invitation to Physics and Astronomy 1 unit(s)
PHYS 40 - Introduction to Computational Physics 3 unit(s)
PHYS 105A - Advanced Mechanics I 4 unit(s)
PHYS 110A - Electricity and Magnetism I 4 unit(s)
PHYS 120A - Electronics, Data Acquisition & Analysis 3 unit(s)
PHYS 122 - Modern Physics 4 unit(s)
PHYS 130 - Mathematical Methods in Physics 3 unit(s)
PHYS 160 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics 3 unit(s)
Additional units of upper division physics 12 unit(s)

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