The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a choice of four undergraduate majors:
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:
(Total: 54 units)
The Major in Physics (B.S. Degree) required courses:
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:
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:
*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:
(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.
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:
(Total: 60 units).
The major in Biophysics (B.S. degree):
(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.
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:
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.
| 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 |
| 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.
| 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 |
The department offers three Honors programs in Physics. Option I emphasizes advanced work in mathematics. Option II, for students with an interest in experimental physics, requires a laboratory project culminating in a senior thesis. Option III, for students with an interest in theoretical physics, requires an independent study project culminating in a senior thesis.
Eligibility: Completion of preparation for the major and four upper division Physics courses; 3.0 GPA overall and 3.5 in upper division Physics and Mathematics courses.
Students who complete the above requirements with a 3.5 GPA in upper division Physics and Mathematics courses will graduate with Honors in Physics. Students who earn a GPA of 3.75 will graduate with Highest Honors in Physics.
For more information regarding departmental honors, please consult the undergraduate counselor.