This program is the prerequisite to many research positions offered by government and industry, and to graduate study. Careers in physics often require advanced degrees beyond the BS. Typical opportunities: aerospace scientist, medical technologist, systems analyst, astronomer, meteorologist, industrial hygienist, electronics engineer, fusion engineer, oceanographer, physical chemist, geophysicist, physicist.

The university’s nearby observatory on Fickle Hill has a 16-inch telescope, a 12-inch telescope, and several 8-inch telescopes for student and community use. The department also offers a well-equipped computer electronics laboratory.

We recommend that students take English, mathematics, and physics in high school.

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. For a description of degree requirements to be fulfilled in addition to those listed below for the major, please see “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements ”. The Upper Division Area B General Education requirement is met by the coursework within the Bachelor of Science degree for either option in the Physics major.

Requirements for the Major (76-78 units)

A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses with the “PHYX” prefix for the physics major.