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
Sophomore	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
Sophomore	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:

• Francoise Queval, PAB 1-707A, 310-825-2453
  Email:
  
• Mary Tran, PAB 1-707D, 310-206-1447
  Email: