Applied Physics

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.

Students 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.

Different 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:

Physics 3: Intended audience: Premedical students, Biological Sciences majors. Prerequisites: concurrent enrollment in MATH 2A. Preparation for advanced courses: PHYSICS 7D with permission.

Physics 7: Intended audience: Physical Sciences and Engineering majors. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in MATH 2B. Preparation for advanced courses: PHYSICS 51A or PHYSICS 61A.

Physics 12-21: Intended audience: Nonscience majors. Prerequisites: none. Preparation for advanced courses: none.

Admission

Students 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.

Requirements

All students must meet the University Requirements.

School Requirements: None

Departmental Requirements

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.

NOTE: Students may not double major in Physics and Applied Physics.

Concentration in Biomedical Physics

The 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.

Concentration in Engineering Physics

The 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.

Students 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:

Sample Programs

Sample Program - Applied Physics Majors

Freshman

Fall	Winter	Spring
MATH 2B	MATH 2D	MATH 2E
PHYSICS 7C	PHYSICS 7D	PHYSICS 7E
PHYSICS 7LC	PHYSICS 7LD	General Education
PHYSICS 99	General Education
Writing/General Education

Sophomore

Fall	Winter	Spring
MATH 3A	MATH 3D	PHYSICS 53
PHYSICS 52A	PHYSICS 61A	PHYSICS 52C
PHYSICS 60	PHYSICS 52B
General Education

Junior

Fall	Winter	Spring
PHYSICS 50	PHYSICS 112A	PHYSICS 113A
PHYSICS 111A	Elective/General Education	Elective/General Education
Elective/General Education	Elective	Elective

Senior

Fall	Winter	Spring
PHYSICS 115A	PHYSICS 121W	PHYSICS 106W
PHYSICS 194	Elective	Elective
Elective	Elective	Elective

Sample Program - Biomedical Physics Concentration in Applied Physics

Freshman

Fall	Winter	Spring
CHEM 1A	CHEM 1B	CHEM 1C& CHEM 1LC

Sophomore

Fall	Winter	Spring
CHEM 1LD	CHEM 51B	N/A
CHEM 51A

Junior

Fall	Winter	Spring
BIO SCI 97	BIO SCI 98	BIO SCI 99

Sample Program - Engineering Physics Concentration in Applied Physics

Junior

Fall	Winter	Spring
N/A	EECS 70A	EECS 70B& EECS 70LB

Senior

Fall	Winter	Spring
EECS 170A& EECS 170LA	EECS 170B& EECS 170LB	PHYSICS 106W
	EECS 188	EECS 170C& EECS 170LC

Program of Study

Physics 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.

A student who decides to major in Physics after completing Physics 3 should meet with the Department Undergraduate Advisor for placement information.

Physics 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.

Physics 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.

The 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.

Courses 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.

Transfer students are specifically advised to seek individual consultation with the Department Undergraduate Advisor before deciding on a program of courses.

All 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.

Note 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.

Sample Program - Physics Graduate School Track

Junior

Fall
PHYSICS 115A or 116

Senior

Fall	Winter	Spring
PHYSICS 113B	PHYSICS 113C	PHYSICS 135
PHYSICS 115A or 116	Physics Elective	PHYSICS 125B
Physics Elective		Physics Elective

Students preparing for graduate school in atmospheric science or physical oceanography should complete the minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.