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

Major Required: 44 units

• CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I (3) (B1)
• CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1) (B3)
• MAT 1140 - Calculus I (4) (B4)
• MAT 1150 - Calculus II (4) (B4)
• MAT 2010 - Introduction to Computational Methods in Mathematics (2)
• MAT 2010L - Introduction to Computational Methods in Mathematics Laboratory (1)
• MAT 2140 - Calculus III (4)
• MAT 2250 - Linear Algebra with Applications to Differential Equations (4)
• PHY 1510 - Introduction to Newtonian Mechanics (3) (B1)
• PHY 1510L - Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory (1) (B3)
• PHY 1520 - Introduction to Electromagnetism and Circuits (3)
• PHY 1520L - Introductory Laboratory on Electromagnetism and Circuits (1)
• PHY 2530 - Introduction to Electromagnetic Radiation and Special Relativity (3) *
• PHY 2530L - Introductory Laboratory on Electromagnetic Radiation and Special Relativity (1)
• PHY 2540 - Introduction to Thermal and Quantum Physics (3) **
• PHY 2540L - Introductory Laboratory on Thermal and Quantum Physics (1)
• PHY 3600 - Mathematical Methods of Physics I (3)
• PHY 3600A - Mathematical Methods of Physics I Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4630 - Undergraduate Seminar (1)

Subplan/Option Required: 26 units

• BIO 1210 - Foundations of Biology: Energy, Matter, and Information (3) (B2)
• BIO 1210L - Foundations of Biology: Energy, Matter, and Information Laboratory (1) (B3)
• BIO 1220 - Foundations of Biology: Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity (3)
• BIO 1220L - Foundations of Biology: Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity Laboratory (1)
• CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II (3) (B1)
• CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1) (B3)
• GSC 1110 - Principles of Geology (3) (B1)
• GSC 1160 - Introduction to Astronomy (3) (B1)
• GSC 1410L - Principles of Geology Laboratory (1) (B3)
• PHY 3210 - Advanced Classical Mechanics (3)
• PHY 3210A - Advanced Classical Mechanics Recitation Activity (1)
• STS 2010 - Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society (3) (C2)

Subplan/Option Electives: 16 units

• Select 3 units from the following list. Pairs of courses that must be taken together or in sequence are indicated with “and”:

• AST 3240 - Observational Astronomy (2) and
• AST 3240A - Observational Astronomy Computer Activity (1)

• OR

• PHY 3040 - Electronics for Scientists (2) and
• PHY 3040L - Electronics for Scientists Laboratory (1)

• OR

• PHY 4090 - Computational Physics (2) and
• PHY 4090A - Computational Physics Activity (1)

• OR

• PHY 4170 - Wave Optics (2) and
• PHY 4170L - Wave Optics Laboratory (1)

• OR

• PHY 4410 - Internship in Physics (1-2)

• OR

• PHY 4610 - Senior Project I (1) and
• PHY 4620 - Senior Project II (2)

•  

• Select 4 units (one lecture/activity pair) from the following list:

• PHY 4010 - Quantum Mechanics I (3) and
• PHY 4010A - Quantum Mechanics I Recitation Activity (1)

• OR

• PHY 4140 - Electricity and Magnetism I (3) and
• PHY 4140A - Electricity and Magnetism I Recitation Activity (1)

• OR

• PHY 4330 - Thermal and Statistical Physics (3) and
• PHY 4330A - Thermal and Statistical Physics Recitation Activity (1)

•  

• Select 2 units (one pair of lab/activity courses) from the following list:

• PHY 4510A - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Advanced Instrumentation Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4510L - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Advanced Instrumentation Laboratory (1)

• OR

• PHY 4520A - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Contemporary Experiments Recitation Activity (1)
• PHY 4520L - Advanced Laboratory Physics - Contemporary Experiments Laboratory (1)

•  

• 1 unit of supervised teaching experience or pedagogy seminar, which may be obtained via any of the following courses as well as other courses approved by the department.

• PHY 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 2990 - Special Topics for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 4000 - Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• PHY 4410 - Internship in Physics (1-2)  
• PHY 4990 - Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3)

•  

• Select 3 units chosen from:

• AST 3050 - Archaeoastronomy (3) (B5)
• AST 3420 - Life, the Universe, and Everything (3) (B5)
• PHY 3010 - Energy and Society (3) (B5)
• PHY 3020 - Physics for Future Presidents (3) (B5)
• PHY 3060 - History of Physics (3) (B5)

•  

• An additional 3 units selected from any upper-division PHY or AST courses (except AST 3050 , AST 3420 , PHY 3010 , and PHY 3020 ) or other upper-division math, science, and engineering courses approved by the department.

Unrestricted Electives: 0-1 units

Select a sufficient number of courses so that the total from “Major Required”, “Subplan/Option Required”, “Subplan/Option Electives”, “GE”, and “Unrestricted Electives” is at least 120 units.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

Students should consult the Academic Programs website https://www.cpp.edu/~academic-programs/general-education-course-listings.shtml for current information regarding this requirement. Unless specific courses are required, please refer to the list of approved courses under General Education Requirements, Areas A through E.

Interdisciplinary General Education: 21 units

An alternate pattern for partial fulfillment of GE Areas A, C, and D available for students is the Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) program.  Students should see an advisor for specific GE coursework required by their major.  Please refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for additional information.

How IGE fulfills General Education Requirements:

 A single course cannot be double-counted across multiple GE Areas.

revised 07/17/2024

American Institutions: 6 units

Courses that satisfy this requirement may also satisfy GE Areas D1 and D2.

American Cultural Perspectives Requirement: 3 units

Refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for a list of courses that satisfy this requirement.  Course may also satisfy major, minor, GE, or unrestricted elective requirements.

Graduation Writing Test

All persons who receive undergraduate degrees from Cal Poly Pomona must pass the Graduation Writing Test (GWT).  The test must be taken by the semester following completion of 60 units for undergraduates.