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The mission of the Department of Physics and Astronomy is “to provide rigorous undergraduate education in Physics and Astronomy and to propagate the joy of physics through its diverse faculty who are active teacher-scholars contributing to their respective research fields.”  

The department cultivates a culture of analytical rigor and hands‑on discovery. It offers robust programs in general physics, astrophysics, biophysics, optics, theoretical physics, and physics education research, along with minors in general physics, biophysics, and astronomy. Faculty members are not only exceptional educators but also accomplished researchers-ranked in the top 1% nationally for physics B.S. degrees by the American Institute of Physics and notable for placing among the top three nationally in physics degrees awarded to underrepresented minority students. Their expertise offers students exposure to cutting-edge fields and a supportive learning environment.

Students in the department benefit from rich opportunities including undergraduate research in faculty-led labs across astrophysics, plasma physics, condensed matter, optics, and more . They have access to state-of-the-art facilities-from astronomy computing labs to physics research instrumentation-and can earn scholarships like the Mary E. Mogge Scholarship. Student-led organizations and honor societies, especially Sigma Pi Sigma, along with affiliations like the Cal‑Bridge program, enhance their academic journey and prepare them for careers in scientific research, education, or industry.

Programs

• Physics, B.S. - Biophysics Subplan/Option: 120 units
• Physics, B.S. - General Subplan/Option: 120 units
• Physics, B.S. - Integrated Science Subplan/Option: 120 units

• Astronomy Minor: 40 units
• Biophysics Minor: 46 units
• Physics Minor: 39 units

Courses

• AST 1010 - Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (3) [GE 5A]
• AST 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• AST 2990 - Special Topics for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• AST 2990A - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Activity (1-3)
• AST 2990L - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Laboratory (1-3)
• AST 3050 - Archaeoastronomy (3) [GE 5D]
• AST 3240 - Observational Astronomy (2)
• AST 3240A - Observational Astronomy Computer Activity (1)
• AST 3420 - Life, the Universe, and Everything (3) [GE 5D]
• AST 4000 - Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• AST 4240 - Astrophysics I: Stars and Planetary Systems (3)
• AST 4240A - Astrophysics I Recitation Activity (1)
• AST 4250 - Astrophysics II: Galaxies and the Universe (3)
• AST 4250A - Astrophysics II Recitation Activity (1)
• AST 4990 - Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• AST 4990A - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Activity (1-3)
• AST 4990L - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Laboratory (1-3)

The semesters in which particular courses are offered are indicated by the F and/or Sp notations. If a course is not given each year, an indication of its offering in odd or even years is given.

• PHY 1020 - Fundamentals of Physics (3) [GE 5A]
• PHY 1050 - The Physics of Musical Sound (3) [GE 5A]
• PHY 1050L - Physics of Musical Sound Laboratory (1) [GE 5C]
• PHY 1210 - Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat (3) [GE 5A]
• PHY 1210L - Physics of Motion, Fluids, and Heat Laboratory (1) [GE 5C]
• PHY 1220 - Physics of Electromagnetism, Circuits, and Light (3)
• PHY 1220L - Electromagnetism, Circuits, and Light Laboratory (1)
• PHY 1510 - Introduction to Newtonian Mechanics (3) [GE 5A]
• PHY 1510A - Newtonian Mechanics Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 1510L - Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory (1) [GE 5C]
• PHY 1520 - Introduction to Electromagnetism and Circuits (3)
• PHY 1520A - Electromagnetism and Circuits Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 1520L - Introductory Laboratory on Electromagnetism and Circuits (1)
• PHY 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 2120 - Physical Science for Elementary Educators (2)
• PHY 2120L - Physical Science for Elementary Educators Laboratory (1)
• PHY 2530 - Introduction to Electromagnetic Radiation and Special Relativity (2)
• PHY 2530A - Electromagnetic Radiation and Special Relativity Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 2530L - Introductory Laboratory on Electromagnetic Radiation and Special Relativity (1)
• PHY 2540 - Introduction to Thermal and Quantum Physics (2)
• PHY 2540A - Thermal and Quantum Physics Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 2540L - Introductory Laboratory on Thermal and Quantum Physics (1)
• PHY 2990 - Special Topics for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 2990A - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Activity (1-3)
• PHY 2990L - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Laboratory (1-3)
• PHY 3010 - Energy and Society (3) [GE 5D]
• PHY 3020 - Physics for Future Presidents (3) [GE 5D]
• PHY 3040 - Electronics for Scientists (2)
• PHY 3040L - Electronics for Scientists Laboratory (1)
• PHY 3060 - History of Physics (3) [GE 5D]
• PHY 3210 - Advanced Classical Mechanics (3)
• PHY 3210A - Advanced Classical Mechanics Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 3440 - Applied Optics (2)
• PHY 3440A - Computational Activities in Applied Optics Activity (1)
• PHY 3600 - Mathematical Methods of Physics I (3)
• PHY 3600A - Mathematical Methods of Physics I Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 3610 - Introduction to Fundamentals of Theoretical Physics (3)
• PHY 3630 - Career Development for Physics Majors (1)
• PHY 4000 - Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 4010 - Quantum Mechanics I (3)
• PHY 4010A - Quantum Mechanics I Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4020 - Quantum Mechanics II (3)
• PHY 4040 - Introduction to High Energy Physics (3)
• PHY 4060 - Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics (3)
• PHY 4090 - Computational Physics (2)
• PHY 4090A - Computational Physics Activity (1)
• PHY 4100 - Biophysics (3)
• PHY 4140 - Electricity and Magnetism I (3)
• PHY 4140A - Electricity and Magnetism I Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4150 - Electricity and Magnetism II (3)
• PHY 4170 - Wave Optics (2)
• PHY 4170L - Wave Optics Laboratory (1)
• PHY 4260 - Gravity and Black Holes (3)
• PHY 4330 - Thermal and Statistical Physics (3)
• PHY 4330A - Thermal and Statistical Physics Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4410 - Internship in Physics (1-2)
• PHY 4510LW - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Advanced Instrumentation Laboratory (1)
• PHY 4510W - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Advanced Instrumentation (2)
• PHY 4520LW - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Contemporary Experiments Laboratory (1)
• PHY 4520W - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Contemporary Experiments (2)
• PHY 4610 - Senior Project I (1)
• PHY 4620 - Senior Project II (2)
• PHY 4630 - Professional Communication Seminar (1)
• PHY 4990 - Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 4990A - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Activity (1-3)
• PHY 4990L - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Laboratory (1-3)

NOTE: For all courses which have both a lecture component and an activity and/or laboratory component (e.g. SCI 1010 , SCI 1010A , SCI 1020A ), all components are corequisites; that is, they must be taken concurrently.

• PHY 1010 - Physics First-Year Experience (1)
• PHY 1010A - Physics First-Year Experience Activity (1)