University of California, Los Angeles College of Letters and Science 52 courses
The Physics BS major should be pursued if students intend to continue toward the PhD in Physics. A detailed brochure on the major is available from the Undergraduate Office, 1-707A Physics and Astronomy Building.
Preparation for the Major
Complete 15 courses as follows:
Preparation for the Major: Physics
Complete the following seven courses:
Preparation for the Major: Physics: Physics 1 Honors series
Students may substitute courses from the Physics 1 honors series for the Physics 1 series.
Preparation for the Major: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Complete the following course:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 20A | Chemical Structure | 4 |
Preparation for the Major: Mathematics
Complete the following six courses. Students may select Mathematics 31A or 31AL.
Preparation for the Major: Program in Computing or Computer Science
Select one course from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMPTNG 10A | Introduction to Programming | 5 |
| COM SCI 30 | Principles and Practices of Computing | 4 |
| COM SCI 31 | Introduction to Computer Science I | 4 |
The Major: Required Courses
Complete the following eight courses:
The Major: Plan
The remainder of the course of study consists of a plan, to be worked out by students in consultation with their designated departmental adviser, that details which courses they take to complete the degree. The plan must be worked out five terms before the student expects to graduate. There must be one course in the Physics 170 series and one course in the Physics 180 series, or two courses in the Physics 180 series. There must be three additional upper-division courses in the plan. There must be written rationale for the plan. Except for the Physics 180 laboratories, the courses need not be in the Physics and Astronomy Department. However, it is expected that the courses fit into a coherent structure. It is important that the structure and rationale are thought out carefully, as the plan must be endorsed by the designated adviser and be approved by the departmental academic affairs committee. Pre-approved plans of study are available from the undergraduate advisers.
The Major: Plan: Upper-Division Electives
It is preferred that the three additional upper-division courses for the plan are selected from:
The Major: Preparation for Graduate School
Students preparing for graduate school should take additional courses in physics and mathematics. Recommended courses are:
Honors Program
In addition to completing all courses required for the major, students must complete one of the two honors program options.
Honors Program: Research-Based
Students must complete two 4-unit terms of Physics 199.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYSICS 199 | Directed Research or Senior Project in Physics | 2 to 4 |
Honors Program: Course-Based
Students must take 4 units of Physics 197βan in-depth individual study of a physics topic of interest to the student under the guidance of a faculty member and resulting in a written reportβand are also required to take Mathematics 115A and two courses selected from Mathematics 120A, 120B, Physics 221A, or 221B.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHYSICS 197 | Individual Studies in Physics | 2 to 4 |
| MATH 115A | Linear Algebra | 5 |
Honors Program: Course-Based: Elective
Select two courses from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 120A | Differential Geometry | 4 |
| MATH 120B | Differential Geometry | 4 |
| PHYSICS 221A | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYSICS 221B | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
Click a course code or title to read the full course description.
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