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

Upper-Division Writing Requirement: Physics majors are required to satisfy the upper-division writing requirement by completing PHYSICS 194 with a grade of C- or better, followed by PHYSICS 121W with a grade of C- or better.

Concentration in Computational Physics

The Computational Physics concentration provides training for positions in software development in a wide variety of high-technology fields. For example, consider medical imaging software for magnetic resonance imaging. To write a first-rate program, one must understand the apparatus and analysis techniques (physics), use appropriate numerical techniques (numerical analysis), and employ a convenient object-oriented interface (computer science). The concentration develops this unique set of skills: physical and mathematical insight through the Physics curriculum, knowledge of modern computer programming techniques, and knowledge of numerical analysis.

A total of six elective courses are required.

1. Students in the computational track can use one of these courses to satisfy the major requirement.
2. ENGRCEE 20, EECS 10, EECS 12, and I&C SCI 31 are considered equivalent; only one counts toward the lower division requirement.
3. I&C SCI H32 counts toward I&C SCI 31 and I&C SCI 32 (2 electives)
4. Of the allowable lower-division electives, no more than one course may be selected from the Probability and Statistics offerings.

Concentration in Philosophy of Physics

The Philosophy of Physics concentration is concerned with the study of the conceptual history of physics, the method of inquiry that has led to our best physical theories, and the structure and interpretation of the theories themselves. Students take courses in deductive and inductive logic, the philosophy and history of physics, and quantum mechanics. The emphasis on careful argument makes this concentration useful for anyone who wishes to pursue a graduate degree in philosophy or law, or for other careers that employ both verbal and quantitative analysis.

Concentration in Physics Education

The Physics Education concentration is for students who plan a career in secondary education. An Education course, four general science courses, a research methods course, and two quarters of classroom experience complete the requirements for the concentration. Students are encouraged to take PHYSICS 191 (outreach).

NOTE: With this concentration, a Secondary Teaching Certification option is available.

Secondary Teaching Certification Option: With additional course work and field experience offered through the UCI Cal Teach program, students who complete the concentration in Physics Education can also earn a California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential. Completing the bachelor’s degree, concentration, and teacher certification in four years is possible with careful, early planning. Additional courses required for teacher certification are:

1. Successful completion of EDUC 143AW-EDUC 143BW and EDUC 148 will be accepted in lieu of PHYSICS 125A and PHYSICS 194 for Cal Teach students.

For additional information about teacher certification requirements and enrollment procedures, see Preparation for Teaching Science and Mathematics. Interested students are strongly encouraged to contact the Cal Teach Resource and Advising Center or the Physical Sciences Student Affairs Office.

Specialization in Astrophysics

The Astrophysics specialization is primarily taken by two types of students, those planning on going on to graduate school in astronomy or astrophysics and those planning to work in aeronautics or astrophysics-related industries or government research laboratories after receiving their bachelor’s degree. It also is an excellent focus for students who anticipate careers in science journalism, teaching, science administration, or public relations. The course work includes:

Sample Programs

Sample Program — Physics Core Curriculum

Freshman

Fall	Winter	Spring
MATH 2B	MATH 2D	MATH 2E
PHYSICS 7C& PHYSICS 7LC	PHYSICS 7D& PHYSICS 7LD	PHYSICS 7E
(PHYSICS 99)

Sophomore

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

Junior

Fall	Winter	Spring
PHYSICS 111A	PHYSICS 111B	PHYSICS 112B
PHYSICS 50	PHYSICS 112A	PHYSICS 113A

Senior

Fall	Winter
PHYSICS 115A	PHYSICS 121W
PHYSICS 194	PHYSICS 125A

For a student planning graduate study in physics, additional courses in advanced physics are strongly recommended.

Sample Program — Computational Physics Concentration

Junior

Fall	Winter	Spring
I&C SCI 31	I&C SCI 32	I&C SCI 33

Senior

Fall	Winter	Spring
MATH 105A& MATH 105LA	MATH 105B& MATH 105LB	MATH 107& 107L

Sample Program — Concentration in Physics Education with Secondary Teaching Certification Option

Freshman

Fall	Winter	Spring
MATH 2B	MATH 2D	MATH 2E
PHYSICS 7C& PHYSICS 7LC	PHYSICS 7D& PHYSICS 7LD	PHYSICS 7E
General Education	General Education	General Education
(PHYSICS 99)	PHY SCI 5	General Education

Sophomore

Fall	Winter	Spring
MATH 3A	MATH 3D	PHYSICS 60
PHYSICS 52A	PHYSICS 61A	PHYSICS 61B
PHY SCI 105	PHYSICS 52B	PHYSICS 52C
	PHYSICS 193	LPS 60

Junior

Fall	Winter	Spring
PHYSICS 50	PHYSICS 111B	PHYSICS 53
PHYSICS 111A	PHYSICS 112A	PHYSICS 112B
General Science	General Science	PHYSICS 113A
General Science	EDUC 143AW	EDUC 148
EDUC 55

Senior

Fall	Winter	Spring
PHYSICS 115A	General Education	PHYSICS 121W
General Science	EDUC 109	General Education
EDUC 143BW	EDUC 158	EDUC 158

Sample Program — Astrophysics Specialization

Junior

Fall	Winter	Spring
PHYSICS 137	PHYSICS 116	PHYSICS 144 or 145

Senior

Fall	Winter	Spring
PHYSICS 113B	PHYSICS 138	PHYSICS 135
PHYSICS 139		PHYSICS 125B
		PHYSICS 144 or 145

Honors

The Honors Program in Physics encourages all students majoring in Physics or Applied Physics to consider advanced work in one of the research areas of the Department. To qualify for Honors in Physics, students should begin a research project with a supervising faculty member no later than fall of their senior year and then complete three quarters of Honors Thesis in Physics (PHYSICS H196A-PHYSICS H196B-PHYSICS H196C). Students have to complete the H196 sequence and submit a final written thesis before graduation. If this work is deemed of honors quality by the program advisor, and the student's grade point average is at least 3.4 overall and 3.5 in physics courses, the student will graduate with Departmental Honors in Physics.

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 14 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.