Bachelor of Arts in Physics: Concentration in Astronomy Roadmap
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 an advisor in your major program for further guidance.
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 114 | Writing the First Year: Finding Your Voice (A2) 1 | 3 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus I (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, B4) 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 200 | Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major (Major Prerequisite) | 1 |
| GE Area A 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area C - Take Two | 6 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ASTR 115 & ASTR 116 |
Introduction to Astronomy and Astronomy Laboratory (Major Prerequisite, B1, B3) |
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, B1, B3) |
4 |
| GE Area E | 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 A | 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 B: Life Science (B2) | 3 | |
| GE Area D | 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 C | 3 | |
| GE Area D | 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 F ± | 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 UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences | 3 | |
| GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities | 3 | |
| GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Five 4 | 15 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 120 | |
- 1
ENG 114 can only be taken if you complete Directed Self-Placement (DSP) and select ENG 114; if you choose ENG 104/ENG 105 through DSP you will satisfy A2 upon successful completion of ENG 105 in the second semester; multilingual students may be advised into alternative English courses.
- 2
To determine the best B4 course option, students should complete the online advising activity at mathadvising.sfsu.edu. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 3
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.
- 4
Complementary Studies
Upon completion of the BA in Physics program, students will have taken 12 units of calculus courses that satisfy Complementary Studies.
- 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.
- ±
Given catalog rights, fall 2023 transfer students do not need to complete an Area F course.