Bachelor of Arts in Physics: Concentration in Astronomy Roadmap – Quantitative Reasoning Category I/II
120 Total Units Required
Minimum Number of Units in the Major: 54
This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult your Degree Planner and an advisor for further guidance.
To avoid taking additional units, it is recommended that you meet the SF State Studies (AERM, GP, ES, SJ) requirements within your GE or major.
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 226 | Calculus I (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, GE 2) 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 200 | Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major (Major Prerequisite) | 1 |
| GE Area 1: English Communication | 3 | |
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ASTR 115 & ASTR 116 |
Introduction to Astronomy and Astronomy Laboratory (Major Prerequisite, GE 5A, GE 5C) |
4 |
| MATH 227 | Calculus II (Major Lower-Divison Prerequisite) | 4 |
| PHYS 220 & PHYS 222 |
General Physics with Calculus I and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, BGE 5A, GE 5C) |
4 |
| GE Area 1A: English Composition 4 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| Select One (Major Upper-Division Core): | 3 | |
| Computer Programming | ||
| Mathematical Computing | ||
| MATH 228 | Calculus III (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite) | 4 |
| PHYS 230 & PHYS 232 |
General Physics with Calculus II and General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite) |
4 |
| GE Area 1: English Communication | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ASTR 300 | Stars, Planets, and the Milky Way (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Select One (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Linear Algebra | ||
| Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra | ||
| PHYS 240 & PHYS 242 |
General Physics with Calculus III and General Physics with Calculus III Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite) |
4 |
| GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B: Biological Science | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| ASTR 301 | Observational Astronomy Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) | 2 |
| Select One (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite): | 3 | |
| Ordinary Differential Equations I (if MATH 225 taken) | ||
| PHYS 320 | Modern Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| ASTR 340GW | The Big Bang - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Major Upper-Division Elective (3-6 units) 5 | 3 | |
| Select One: | 3 | |
Major Upper-Division Elective (3-6 units) (if MATH 245 taken) 5 |
||
| GE Area 6: Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| U.S. and California Government | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| Culminating Experience (Select 2 Units): | 2 | |
| Projects in the Teaching of Astronomy | ||
| Senior Project | ||
| Experiences in Teaching Physics | ||
| GE Area 5UD or 2UD: Upper-Division Sciences or Upper-Division Mathematical Concepts | 3 | |
| GE Area 3UD: Upper-Division Arts or Humanities | 3 | |
| GE Area 4UD: Upper-Division Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Five 3 | 15 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 120 | |
- 1
Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 2 course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 2
First-time freshmen must take one lower-division Area 4 course that meets US History (USH).
- 3
Complementary Studies
Upon completion of the BA in Physics program, students will have taken 12 units of calculus courses that satisfy Complementary Studies.- 4
Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 1A course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 5
Electives (3-6 units)
Choose enough upper-division PHYS and/or ASTR courses to reach 54 units for the major, excluding 600-level PHYS or ASTR courses. Maximum of 3 units outside of ASTR or PHYS, with prior permission of a faculty advisor. With permission of a faculty advisor, extra units in 600-level courses not used to satisfy the culminating experience can be used as electives.