{ "college": "uc-irvine", "edition": "2026-2027", "departmentName": "Department of Physics and Astronomy", "id": "department-of-physics-and-astronomy--appliedphysics-bs", "name": "Applied Physics", "award": "B.S.", "department": "department-of-physics-and-astronomy", "sourceUrl": "https://catalogue.uci.edu/schoolofphysicalsciences/departmentofphysicsandastronomy/appliedphysics_bs/", "blocks": [ { "kind": "text", "markdown": "The goal of the undergraduate majors in Physics and Applied Physics is to develop expert problem solvers with a broad understanding of physical principles. The programs are flexible and prepare students for careers in industrial research, applications programming, education, law, or business, as well as for graduate study in astronomy, biomedical physics, engineering, or physics.\n\nStudents choose a major in either pure Physics or Applied Physics. The major in Physics includes a standard track for graduate study in physics, a Specialization in Astrophysics, and Concentrations in Computational Physics, the Philosophy of Physics, and Physics Education. The major in Applied Physics allows students to combine physics courses with courses from overlapping disciplines, such as materials science, electrical engineering, geosciences, biomedical imaging, or other fields. Annual mandatory meetings with faculty advisors assist students in selecting the right program for their aptitudes and interests.\n\nDifferent sequences of lower-division physics courses are distinguished by their intended audience, their mathematical prerequisites, and the extent to which they offer preparation for more advanced courses. These aspects of the introductory courses are summarized as follows:\n\n****Physics** 3:** _Intended audience:_ Premedical students, Biological Sciences majors. _Prerequisites:_ concurrent enrollment in MATH 2A. _Preparation for advanced courses:_ PHYSICS 7D with permission.\n\n**Physics 7:** _Intended audience:_ Physical Sciences and Engineering majors. _Prerequisite:_ concurrent enrollment in MATH 2B. _Preparation for advanced courses:_ PHYSICS 51A or PHYSICS 61A.\n\n**Physics 12-21:** _Intended audience:_ Nonscience majors. _Prerequisites:_ none. _Preparation for advanced courses:_ none." }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Admission\n\nStudents may be admitted to the Physics or Applied Physics majors upon entering the University as freshmen, via change of major, or as transfer students from other colleges and universities. Information about change of major policies is available in the Physical Sciences Student Affairs Office and at the UCI Change of Major Criteria website. For transfer student admission, preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: one year of approved calculus and one year of calculus-based physics with laboratory for engineering and physics majors. Completion of multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations is recommended." }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Requirements\n\n##### All students must meet the University Requirements.\n\n##### School Requirements: None" }, { "kind": "courselist", "title": "Departmental Requirements", "rows": [ { "type": "comment", "text": "A. Complete the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MATH 2A", "title": "Single-Variable Calculus I", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MATH 5A", "title": "Calculus for Life Sciences I", "indent": false, "connector": "or" }, { "type": "course", "code": "MATH 2B", "title": "Single-Variable Calculus II", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MATH 2D & MATH 2E", "title": "Multivariable Calculus Iand Multivariable Calculus II", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MATH 3A", "title": "Introduction to Linear Algebra", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MATH 3D", "title": "Elementary Differential Equations", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 50", "title": "Introductory Mathematical Physics", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 61A", "title": "Modern Physics for Majors", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 51A", "title": "Modern Physics", "indent": false, "connector": "or" }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 111A", "title": "Classical Mechanics", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 112A", "title": "Electromagnetic Theory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 113A", "title": "Quantum Mechanics", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 115A", "title": "Statistical Physics", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "B. Complete one of the following series:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 7C & PHYSICS 7LC & PHYSICS 7D & PHYSICS 7LD & PHYSICS 7E", "title": "Classical Physicsand Classical Physics Laboratoryand Classical Physicsand Classical Physics Laboratoryand Classical Physics", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "or" }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 3A & PHYSICS 3B & PHYSICS 3LB & PHYSICS 3C & PHYSICS 3LC", "title": "Basic Physics Iand Basic Physics IIand Basic Physics Laboratoryand Basic Physics IIIand Basic Physics Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "C. Complete one of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 53", "title": "Introduction to Programming and Numerical Analysis", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "I&C SCI 45C", "title": "Programming in C/C++ as a Second Language", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "MATH 9", "title": "Introduction to Programming for Numerical Analysis", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 10", "title": "Computational Methods in Electrical and Computer Engineering", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 12", "title": "Introduction to Programming", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "D. Complete one of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 60", "title": "Thermal Physics", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "CHEM 1C", "title": "General Chemistry", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "ENGRMAE 91", "title": "Introduction to Thermodynamics", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "E. Complete six units of lower-division laboratory using any combination of the following courses:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 52A & PHYSICS 52B & PHYSICS 52C", "title": "Fundamentals of Experimental Physicsand Fundamentals of Experimental Physicsand Fundamentals of Experimental Physics", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "CHEM 1LC & CHEM 1LD", "title": "General Chemistry Laboratoryand General Chemistry Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "CHEM M2LA & CHEM M2LB", "title": "Majors General Chemistry Laboratoryand Majors General Chemistry Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "CHEM 51LB & CHEM 51LC", "title": "Organic Chemistry Laboratoryand Organic Chemistry Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "CHEM M52LA & CHEM M52LB", "title": "Majors Organic Chemistry Laboratoryand Majors Organic Chemistry Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "ENGR 7A & ENGR 7B", "title": "Introduction to Engineering Iand Introduction to Engineering II", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 70LA & EECS 70LB", "title": "Network Analysis I Laboratoryand Network Analysis II Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "F. Complete eight units of upper-division laboratory using any combination of the following courses:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 106W", "title": "Advanced Data Acquisition, Analysis, and Scientific Writing", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 120", "title": "Electronics for Scientists", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 121W", "title": "Advanced Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 139", "title": "Observational Astrophysics", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 193", "title": "Research Methods", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 196C", "title": "Thesis in Physics III", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "or one approved upper-division laboratory course outside of Physics" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "G. Complete two units of writing communication from the following courses:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHYSICS 194", "title": "Research Communication for Physics Majors 1", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "PHY SCI 139W", "title": "Technical Writing and Communication Skills", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EDUC 143BW", "title": "Classroom Interactions II", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "or alternate upper-division writing course with department approval" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "H. Complete 32 additional units of coherently-related electives in accord with the following rules:" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "- Up to eight units may be lower-division electives in physics such as PHYSICS 20, PHYSICS 61B, or PHYSICS H90" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "- Any upper-division physics courses PHYSICS 100-150" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "- Any graduate level physics courses PHYSICS 200-299 with approval of the Department Undergraduate Advisor" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "- Any combination of physics and non-physics courses pre-approved as a formal Concentration or Specialization" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "- Any other combination of physics and non-physics courses approved by the Physics Department Undergraduate Committee." } ] }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "1. PHYSICS 194 does not satisfy the University’s upper-division writing requirement. It is a prerequisite course for PHYSICS 121W, which does satisfy the upper-division writing requirement.\n\n**NOTE**: Students may not double major in Physics and Applied Physics.\n\n##### Concentration in Biomedical Physics\n\nThe **Biomedical Physics Concentration** in Applied Physics is designed for the student who anticipates a career in physics applied to biology and medicine, such as health physics or radiological physics, or who intends to work in a scholarly field which deals with the physical aspects of biology or medicine, such as molecular biology or physiology. Completion of requirements for the Physics major is required, as are nine quarters of basic courses in biology and chemistry. Students who wish to follow the Biomedical Physics Concentration are advised to seek guidance early in their college careers. The requirements are such that coordination of a program in the second year is essential." }, { "kind": "courselist", "rows": [ { "type": "comment", "text": "A. Complete the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "BIO SCI 97", "title": "Genetics", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "BIO SCI 98", "title": "Biochemistry", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "BIO SCI 99", "title": "Molecular Biology", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "B. Complete:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "CHEM 1A & CHEM 1B & CHEM 1C", "title": "General Chemistryand General Chemistryand General Chemistry", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "C. Select one of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "CHEM 1LC & CHEM 1LD", "title": "General Chemistry Laboratoryand General Chemistry Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "or" }, { "type": "course", "code": "CHEM M2LA & CHEM M2LB", "title": "Majors General Chemistry Laboratoryand Majors General Chemistry Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "D. Complete:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "CHEM 51A & CHEM 51B", "title": "Organic Chemistryand Organic Chemistry", "indent": false } ] }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "##### Concentration in Engineering Physics\n\nThe **Engineering Physics Concentration** in Applied Physics is designed to provide appropriate education to students who anticipate a career in industrial or technological research. It combines the fundamental knowledge of physical processes obtained from physics courses with the technical knowledge obtained from engineering courses.\n\nStudents in the Engineering Physics Concentration must complete 32 units of coherently related electives, with at least 24 of these units from courses in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering. Students may propose any sequence for approval by the Department Undergraduate Advisor. Pre-approved courses include:" }, { "kind": "courselist", "rows": [ { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 70A", "title": "Network Analysis I", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 70B & EECS 70LB", "title": "Network Analysis IIand Network Analysis II Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 170A & EECS 170LA", "title": "Electronics Iand Electronics I Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 170B & EECS 170LB", "title": "Electronics IIand Electronics II Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 170C & EECS 170LC", "title": "Electronics IIIand Electronics III Laboratory", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 174", "title": "Semiconductor Devices", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "EECS 188", "title": "Optical Electronics", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "ENGRMAE 120", "title": "Heat and Mass Transfer", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "ENGRMAE 130A", "title": "Fluid Dynamics I", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "ENGRMAE 147", "title": "Vibrations", "indent": false } ] }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Sample Programs\n\n##### Sample Program - Applied Physics Majors\n\n**Freshman**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| MATH 2B | MATH 2D | MATH 2E |\n| PHYSICS 7C | PHYSICS 7D | PHYSICS 7E |\n| PHYSICS 7LC | PHYSICS 7LD | General Education |\n| PHYSICS 99 | General Education | |\n| Writing/General Education | | |\n\n**Sophomore**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| MATH 3A | MATH 3D | PHYSICS 53 |\n| PHYSICS 52A | PHYSICS 61A | PHYSICS 52C |\n| PHYSICS 60 | PHYSICS 52B | |\n| General Education | | |\n\n**Junior**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| PHYSICS 50 | PHYSICS 112A | PHYSICS 113A |\n| PHYSICS 111A | Elective/General Education | Elective/General Education |\n| Elective/General Education | Elective | Elective |\n\n**Senior**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| PHYSICS 115A | PHYSICS 121W | PHYSICS 106W |\n| PHYSICS 194 | Elective | Elective |\n| Elective | Elective | Elective |\n\n##### Sample Program - Biomedical Physics Concentration in Applied Physics\n\n**Freshman**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| CHEM 1A | CHEM 1B | CHEM 1C& CHEM 1LC |\n\n**Sophomore**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| CHEM 1LD | CHEM 51B | N/A |\n| CHEM 51A | | |\n\n**Junior**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| BIO SCI 97 | BIO SCI 98 | BIO SCI 99 |\n\n##### Sample Program - Engineering Physics Concentration in Applied Physics\n\n**Junior**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| N/A | EECS 70A | EECS 70B& EECS 70LB |\n\n**Senior**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| EECS 170A& EECS 170LA | EECS 170B& EECS 170LB | PHYSICS 106W |\n| | EECS 188 | EECS 170C& EECS 170LC |" }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Program of Study\n\nPhysics 3 is a one-year course suitable for premedical students, students majoring in Biological Sciences, and nonscience majors. It surveys most of the important branches of physics. Laboratory work accompanies the course. Nonscience majors with some mathe­matical skill may wish to consider Physics 3 as an alternative to PHYSICS 12 through PHYSICS 21.\n\nA student who decides to major in Physics after completing Physics 3 should meet with the Department Undergraduate Advisor for placement information.\n\nPhysics 7 is an intensive three-quarter course for students in Physical Sciences and Engineering who are interested in a more quantitative approach to introductory physics. Two units of laboratory work accompany the course.\n\nPhysics courses numbered between 12 and 21 are general education courses intended for nonscience majors. The content and format of PHYSICS 21 may vary from year to year.\n\nThe introduction to mathematical methods (MATH 2E, MATH 3A, MATH 3D, and PHYSICS 50), microscopic physics (PHYSICS 61A\\-PHYSICS 61B), and experimental physics (PHYSICS 52A\\-PHYSICS 52B\\-PHYSICS 52C) are normally taken in the sophomore year.\n\nCourses numbered 100 and above are for Physics majors and other qualified students. Courses numbered between 111 and 115 emphasize the mathematical and theoretical structures that have unified our understanding of nature. It should be noted that multi-quarter courses such as 111A-B must be taken and passed in sequential order. Any student who is so inclined may take more than the minimum one quarter of advanced laboratory work. Courses numbered between 133 and 149 introduce active subdisciplines in current research. Independent research (PHYSICS 195, PHYSICS 196) is strongly encouraged. In PHYSICS 194, students learn the basics of writing about science, proper use of references and background material, presentation of research proposals, and more.\n\nTransfer students are specifically advised to seek individual consultation with the Department Undergraduate Advisor before deciding on a program of courses.\n\nAll Physics and Applied Physics majors must complete the core courses listed with the sample programs. By the end of the junior year, each student is encouraged to select a concentration or track.\n\nNote that alternatives to Physics major requirements can be approved upon petition to the Department and the Office of the Associate Dean. Furthermore, exceptionally prepared students are allowed to enroll in graduate-level courses; to do so requires the approval of the Department Undergraduate Advisor.\n\n##### Sample Program - Physics Graduate School Track\n\n**Junior**\n\n| Fall | | |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| PHYSICS 115A or 116 | | |\n\n**Senior**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| PHYSICS 113B | PHYSICS 113C | PHYSICS 135 |\n| PHYSICS 115A or 116 | Physics Elective | PHYSICS 125B |\n| Physics Elective | | Physics Elective |\n\nStudents preparing for graduate school in atmospheric science or physical oceanography should complete the minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences." } ] }