Majors and requirements

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a choice of four undergraduate majors:

• B.S. degree program in Astrophysics
• B.S. degree program in Biophysics
• B.S. degree program in Physics
• B.A. degree program in General Physics

Courses taken to fulfill any of the requirements for either major must be taken for a letter grade.

Physics Major Requirements: Preparation for the Major in Physics (B.S. OR B.A.) required courses:

• Physics 1A or 1AH, 1B or 1BH, 1C or 1CH, 4AL, 4BL, 17, 18L
• Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B
• Chemistry 20A

(Total: 54 units)

The Major in Physics (B.S. Degree) required courses:

• Physics 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, 112, 115A, 115B, 115C, 131
• Two courses from the 180 Physics laboratories
• Please note that Physics 18L is a pre-requisite for all Physics 180 laboratories (except 180N and M180G).
• Three additional upper division elective courses; recommended courses (especially for those intending to pursue graduate careers in Physics) include: Physics 108, 114, 117, 122, 124, 126, 128, 132, 140A, 140B, 150. The upper division electives need not be in Physics. However, it is expected that the courses will fit into a coherent structure.

A plan must be worked out five terms prior to graduation in conjunction with a departmental advisor and must be done in writing. (Total: 56 units).

Special studies courses (Physics 199) may be applied towards the major upon departmental approval.

The Major in Physics (B.A. Degree) required courses:

• Physics 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, 112, 115A, 115B, 115C, 131
• One course from the Physics 180 laboratories (180A-180G)
• Please note that Physics 18L is a pre-requisite for all Physics 180 laboratories (except 180N and M180G).

(Total: 40 units).

No course intended to satisfy the major or the preparation for the major may be taken on a pass/no pass basis and a 2.0 grade point average is required in all of the above courses for completion of the B.A. or B.S. degree.

Preparation for the Major in Astrophysics required courses:

• Physics 1A or 1AH, 1B or 1BH, 1C or 1CH, 4AL, 4BL, 17, 18L
• Astronomy 81, 82*
• Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B
• Program In Computing 10A

*Systematic study of astrophysics should begin with Astronomy 81 and Astronomy 82 to be taken in the second year. (Total: 63 units).

The Major in Astrophysics (B.S. Degree) required courses:

• Physics 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, 115A, 115B, 115C, 131
• Astronomy 115, 117, 127, 140, 180

(Total: 52 units).

Recommended courses: Physics 108, M122,140A, 140B, 124, 132.

No course intended to satisfy a requirement for the pre-major or major may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. A 2.0 average overall is required in all the above courses for completion of the degree.

Contact Information

Please see the College of Letters & Science Counseling Unit (A-316 Murphy Hall) for information regarding GEs, Upper Division units and all other university requirements.

For all questions regarding the Astrophysics major or Physics and Astronomy Departmental questions, contact Francoise Queval.

Biophysics Major Requirements: Preparation for the major in Biophysics required courses:

• Physics 1A or 1AH, 1B or 1BH, 1C or 1CH, 4AL, 4BL, 17
• Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B
• Chemistry 20A, 20B
• Life Science 7A

(Total: 60 units).

The major in Biophysics (B.S. degree):

• Physics 105A, 110A, 110B, 112, 115A, 115B, 131, M180G, 187A and 187B; three additional upper division elective courses from the three groups. Students are able to choose any three courses either in one group or among the three groups*:
• Group A (Physics of Neuroscience): Neuroscience M101A; Physics 117; Physics 186.
• Group B (Biological Physics): Physics 144; Physics 117; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering C286.
• Group C (Molecular and Cellular Biophysics): Chemistry 153A, 153L, MCDB 100 or MCDB 165A. Note that students will be advised when some of these classes have additional lower division requirements.
• Keep in mind that some of the upper division electives may have pre-requisites outside of the Physics department. Please consult with an advisor.

(Total: 52 units).

No course intended to satisfy a requirement for the pre-major or major may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. A 2.0 average overall is required in all the above courses for completion of the degree.

Contact Information

Please see the College of Letters & Science (A-316 Murphy Hall) for information regarding General Education, Foreign Language, Upper Division units and all other university requirements.

For all questions regarding the Biophysics major or Physics and Astronomy Departmental questions, contact either:

• Francoise Queval, PAB 1-707A, 310-825-2453
  Email:
  
• Jazmine Vega, PAB 1-707D, 310-206-1447
  Email:
  

Possible sequences of courses for the B.S. Biophysics major (4-year plan): With Physics 1A,B,C and/or the Honor sequences, there are several approaches for students considering a major in biophysics, all leading to a BS degree in four years. Displayed below are the science courses of a schedule beginning with Physics 1A in Winter, and one beginning with Physics 1A in the Fall. There are many variations possible in between. Junior transfers should see a departmental counselor immediately upon arrival at UCLA.

Begin Physics 1A in Winter Quarter

Year/quarter	Fall	Winter	Spring
Freshman	Math 31B Chemistry 20A	Math 32A* Physics 1A LS 7A	Math 32B Physics 1B Physics 4AL
Sophomore	Math 33A Math 33B Physics 1C	Physics 17 Physics 131 Physics 4BL	Physics 105B Physics 110A Chemistry 20B
Junior	Physics 115A Physics 112	Physics 115B Physics C187A	Physics C187B UD Elective
Senior	Physics 110B	Physics 180G UD Elective	UD Elective

Begin Physics 1A or 1AH in Fall Quarter

Year/quarter	Fall	Winter	Spring
Freshman	Math 32A* Physics 1A/1AH Chemistry 20A	Math 32B Physics 1B/1BH Physics 4AL	Math 33A Physics 1C/1CH
Sophomore	Physics 4BL Math 33B Chemistry 20B	Physics 17 Physics 131	Physics 110A Physics 105A

*Math 32A is pre-requisite to Physics 1B. Strong math students may take Math 32 and Physics 1B concurrently after departmental approval.

Prerequisites

Core course	Pre-req	Elective	Pre-req	Lab course	Pre-req
Physics 105A	Math 33A	Physics 108	Physics 110B	Physics 117	None
Physics 105B	Physics 131	Physics 114	Physics 105A,B	Physics 180A	124 (concurrent)
Physics 110A	Physics 131	Physics 122	Physics 110B	Physics 180D	114 (concurrent)
Physics 110B	Physics 110A	Physics 124	Physics 115C	Physics 180E	Physics 122
Physics 112	Physics 115A,B	Physics 126	Physics 115C	Physics 180F	126 (concurrent)
Physics 115A	Phy 131, 105A	Physics 132	Physics 131	Physics 180G
Physics 115B	Phy 115A, 105B	Physics 140A	Physics 115C
Physics 131	Math 33A,B	Physics 140B	Physics 140A
		Physics 144	105A,110A,112
		Physics C186	Math 33A