The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a choice of three undergraduate majors: the B.S. degree program in Astrophysics, the B.S. degree program in Physics, and the 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.
Required: Astronomy 81, 82, Physics 8A/8AL, 8B/8BL, 8C/8CL, 8D/8DL, 8E, Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, Program in Computing 3 or 10A. Recommended: Astronomy 3H, Chemistry and Biochemistry 11A. Systematic study of astrophysics should begin with Astronomy 81 and 82, taken in the second year.
Required: Astronomy 115, 117, 127, 140, 180; Physics 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, 115A, 115B, 131. Recommended: Physics 108, 112, 123, 124, 132.
Senior majors in astrophysics with a 3.4 grade-point average in all astronomy, mathematics, and physics courses are eligible for the honors program in astrophysics. In addition to completing all courses required for the major, students must complete two terms of Astronomy 199. To receive honors and highest honors at graduation, their grade-point average must remain at 3.4 or better, and their work in course 199 must reflect original research and be accepted by the departmental honors committee.
The physics major should be taken if students intend to continue toward the Ph.D. in Physics.
Required: Physics 8A/8AL, 8B/8BL, 8C/8CL, 8D/8DL, 8E; Chemistry and Biochemistry 11A, 11B/11BL; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B. A detailed brochure on the major is available from the Undergraduate Office, 3-160 Knudsen Hall.
Required: Physics 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, 112, 115A, 115B, 131. The remainder of the course of study consists of a plan, to be worked out by students in consultation with their designated departmental adviser, that details which courses they take to complete the degree. There are four overall requirements: (1) the plan must be worked out five terms before students expect to graduate; (2) the plan must include at least two courses from the Physics 180 series; (3) there must be at least five upper division courses in the plan; (4) there must be written rationale for the plan. Except for the Physics 180 laboratories, the courses need not be in the Physics and Astronomy Department. However, it is expected that the courses fit into a coherent structure. It is important that the structure and rationale are thought out carefully, as the plan must be endorsed by the designated adviser and be approved by the departmental academic affairs committee. Preapproved plans of study are available from the undergraduate advisers. A C average is required in all courses taken to satisfy the major requirements.
Students preparing for graduate school should take additional courses in physics and mathematics. Physics M122, 123, 124, 126, 132, and 140 are recommended.
Junior transfer students should preferably have completed (1) a two-year calculus/analytic geometry sequence or equivalent and (2) the calculus-based physics course at their previous college, but in no case should less than three semesters or four quarters of the mathematics and one year of the physics sequence be completed before transferring to UCLA. Each mathematics and physics course must be passed with a grade of C or better.
The department offers three honors programs leading to graduation with honors or highest honors in physics. Students are eligible after completing the preparation for the major and four upper division physics courses with an overall grade-point average of 3.0 and a 3.5 GPA in upper division physics and mathematics courses. Contact the Undergraduate Office for a complete description of the programs and an application.
The general physics major is intended to provide the necessary flexibility for fields in which a strong background of knowledge in physics would be helpful. If students intend to continue work toward the Ph.D. in Physics, they are advised to work for the B.S. in Physics as described earlier.
Required: Physics 8A/8AL, 8B/8BL, 8C/8CL, 8D/8DL, 8E; Chemistry and Biochemistry 11A, 11B/11BL; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B. A detailed brochure on the major is available from the Undergraduate Office.
Required: Physics 105A, 110A, 110B, 112, 115A, 131, one course from the 180 series, two upper division physics electives (excluding 185 and 199), and five upper division courses in no more than two other UCLA departments. A C average in the upper division physics courses is required.
Students may earn credentials for teaching physical sciences and other subjects in California elementary and secondary schools. Completion of the instructional credential program in the Teacher Education Laboratory is required. Consult the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, 1009 Moore Hall, (310) 825-8328, for information.