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.
The major requirements listed below are effective beginning Fall 2022. Students who entered a physics major prior to Fall 2022 will need to follow the major requirements listed on their Degree Audit Report (DAR). For questions about which set of major requirements to follow, please check with a physics counselor.
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, 32
- Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B
- Chemistry 20A
- PIC 10A or CS 30 or CS 31
(Total: 58 units)
The Major in Physics (B.S. Degree) required courses:
- Physics 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, 112, 115A, 115B, 115C
- One Physics 170 course and one Physics 180 course or two Physics 180 courses
- Three additional upper division elective courses preferably selected from Physics 108, 114, M122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128, 132, 140A, 140B, 144, 150, C186, C187A. 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: 52 units).
The Major in Physics (B.A. Degree) required courses:
- Physics 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, 112, 115A, 115B, 115C
- One course from the Physics 170 series or the 180 series
(Total: 36 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, 32
- Astronomy 81
- Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B
- PIC 10A or CS 30 or CS 31
(Total: 60 units).
The Major in Astrophysics (B.S. Degree) required courses:
- Physics 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, 115A, 115B, 115C
- Astronomy 115, 117, 127, 180
- Three additional upper division electives selected from Astronomy 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146; Physics 108, M122, 124, 126, 127, 128, 132, 180M; EPSS 155, 156, C179. At least one of the three electives must be in Astronomy.
(Total: 56 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.
Biophysics Major Requirements: Preparation for the major in Biophysics required courses:
- Physics 1A or 1AH, 1B or 1BH, 1C or 1CH, 4AL, 4BL, 17, 32
- Math 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B
- Chemistry 20A, 20B
- Life Science 7A
(Total: 64 units).
The major in Biophysics (B.S. degree):
- Physics 105A, 110A, 110B, 112, 115A, 115B, 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.
- *Please note that Physics 187A and 187B are only offered once every other year. E.g. 187A & 187B were offered in Winter & Spring 2022 and will not be offered again until Winter & Spring 2024. If you have any questions about when the course will next be offered, please contact a physics counselor.
- 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: 48 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.
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 |
| Sophom*ore | Math 33A Math 33B Physics 1C | Physics 17 Physics 32 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 |
| Sophom*ore | Physics 4BL Math 33B Chemistry 20B | Physics 17 Physics 32 | 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 | Physics 32 | Physics 108 | Physics 110B | Physics 170A | Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, Math 32B, 33A, 33B |
| Physics 105B | Physics 105A | Physics 114 | Physics 105A,B | Physics 170M | Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, Math 32A, 33A |
| Physics 110A | Physics 32 | Physics M122 | Physics 110B | Physics 170N | Physics 105B, 110B, 112, 115B |
| Physics 110B | Physics 110A | Physics 124 | Physics 115C | Physics 180A | Physics 124 (concurrent) |
| Physics 112 | Physics 115A,B | Physics 126 | Physics 115C | Physics 180C | Physics 140A |
| Physics 115A | Physics 17, 105A | Physics 132 | Physics 32 | Physics 180D | Physics 112, 114 |
| Physics 115B | Physics 115A, 105B | Physics 140A | Physics 112 | Physics 180E | Physics 110B, M122 |
| Physics 115C | Physics 115B | Physics 140B | Physics 140A | Physics 180F | Physics 110A, 115B & 126 (concurrent) |
| Physics 144 | 105A,110A,112 | Physics M180G | Physics 110B, 115A | ||
| Physics C186 | Math 33A | Physics 180Q | Physics 115C |
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 Astrophysics, Physics (BA/BS), and Biophysics major, please contact either:
- Amanda Glover, Undergraduate Advisor, PAB 1-707D, 424-259-5064
Email: - Mary Tran, Lead Undergraduate Advisor, PAB 1-707A, 310-206-1447
Email:
