Physical Science, B.A. MAP

Major Academic Plans

Major Academic Plans (or MAPS) show the courses you might take each semester to meet your degree requirements in 4 years. Students at Cal Poly Humboldt follow many different paths to graduation. Your educational and career goals, as well as personal interests all contribute to determining the courses you take. We encourage you to discuss course options with an advisor.

The General Education and All-University Requirements in this MAP are in effect for students entering Cal Poly Humboldt with the catalog year of 2023-24. Refer to your degree audit for details on your major and GE catalog year.

Set yourself up for academic success in challenging classes. Add a 1-unit Supplemental Instruction (SI) session.

Explore the Supplemental Instruction

options to see if there’s a match with a class you are taking.

Year 1

Semester 1 (15-16 Units)

GE Area A: Written Communication ENGL 102 - Composition and Rhetoric A Units: 3 OR ENGL 104 - Accelerated Composition and Rhetoric Units: 3 ^[1]
Optional: ENGL 110 - Academic Literacies Support and Seminar Units: 2
Major / GE Area B: Mathematics MATH 109 - Calculus I Units: 4 ^[2]
Major / GE Area B: Physical Science CHEM 109 - General Chemistry I Units: 5
GE Area E: Lifelong Learning SCI 100 - Becoming a STEM Professional in the 21st Century Units: 3

^[1] If ENGL 102 is selected, students must complete ENGL 103 in semester 2. Adjust spring courses in consultation with an advisor.

^[2] Prerequisite of MATH 102 or (MATH 101 & 101T) or placement into calculus. Students not yet eligible to take MATH 109 should consult with an advisor for course sequencing information.

Semester 2 (16 Units)

GE Area F: Ethnic Studies / DCG Domestic NAS 104 - Introduction to Native American Studies Units: 3
Major (Core) CHEM 110 - General Chemistry II Units: 5
Major (Core) MATH 110 - Calculus II Units: 4
Major (Core) PHYX 109 - General Physics A: Mechanics Units: 4

Year 2

Semester 3 (14 Units)

GE Area A: Oral Communication COMM 100 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication Units: 3
American Institutions/GE Area D: Social Science
U.S. History
Units: 3

Major (Core): MATH 210 - Calculus III Units: 4
Major (Core): PHYX 210 - General Physics B: Thermodynamics, Waves and Optics Units: 4

Semester 4 (16 Units)

Lower Division GE Area A: Critical Thinking Courses
Units: 3
Lower Division GE Area B: Life Sciences
Units: 4
Elective Units: 2

Major (Core): MATH 107 - Introduction to Linear Algebra Units: 3
Major (Core): PHYX 211 - General Physics C: Electricity, Magnetism Units: 4

Year 3

Semester 5 (14 Units)

American Institutions
U.S. and California Government
Units: 3
Lower Division GE Area C: Arts
Units: 3
Lower Division GE Area C: Humanities
Units: 3
Major (Core) PHYX 320 - Modern Physics Units: 3
Major (Core) PHYX 340 - Mathematical and Computational Methods Units: 2

Semester 6 (15 Units)

Lower Division GE Area C: Arts
OR
Humanities
Units: 3
Major (Core) PHYX 315 - Introduction to Electronics and Electronic Instrumentation Units: 3
Major (Upper Division Elective)^[3]Units: 3
Elective Units: 3
Elective Units: 3

^[3]Complete 12 units of approved upper division courses within the physical sciences, (chemistry, geology, oceanography, physics), mathematics, or engineering.

Year 4

Semester 7 (15 Units)

Lower Division GE Area D: Social Sciences
Units: 3
Upper Division GE Area B: Math & Science
Units: 3
Major (Upper Division Elective) ^[3] Units: 3
Elective Units: 3
Elective Units: 3

Semester 8 (15 Units)

Upper Division GE Area C: Arts & Humanities
^{[4, 5]} Units: 3
Upper Division GE Area D: Social Sciences
^{[4, 5]} Units: 3
Major (Upper Division Approved Elective)^[3]Units: 3
Major (Upper Division Approved Elective)^[3]Units: 3
Elective Units: 3

[4] One upper UD GE course must be GWAR certified.

[5] Take one GE course that double-counts for DCG.