Bachelor of Arts in Physics: Concentration in Astronomy Roadmap – Quantitative Reasoning Category 3/4
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, ESCA, SJ) requirements within your GE or major.
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 197 | Prelude to Calculus I (Prerequisite for MATH 226) 1 | 3 |
| 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 | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ASTR 115 & ASTR 116 |
Introduction to Astronomy and Astronomy Laboratory (Major Prerequisite, GE 5A, GE 5C) |
4 |
| MATH 198 | Prelude to Calculus II (Prerequisite for MATH 226, GE 2) 1 | 3 |
| GE Area 1A: English Composition 4 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| MATH 226 | Calculus I (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite, GE 2) 1 | 4 |
| GE Area 1: English Communication | 3 | |
| GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6: Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Select One (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite): | 3 | |
| Computer Programming | ||
| Mathematical Computing | ||
| 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, GE 5A, GE 5C) |
4 |
| GE Area 5B: Biological Science | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| 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 5UD or 2UD: Upper-Division Sciences or Upper-Division Mathematical Concepts | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| ASTR 300 | Stars, Planets, and the Milky Way (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| MATH 245 | Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (Major Lower-Divison Prerequisite) | 3 |
| PHYS 240 & PHYS 242 |
General Physics with Calculus III and General Physics with Calculus III Laboratory (Major Lower-Division Prerequisite) |
4 |
| GE Area 4UD: Upper-Division Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| US and California Government | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| ASTR 301 | Observational Astronomy Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) | 2 |
| PHYS 320 | Modern Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Major Upper-Division Elective (6 units) 5 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3UD: Upper-Division Arts or Humanities | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| ASTR 340GW | The Big Bang - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) | 3 |
| Culminating Experience (Select 2 Units): | 2 | |
| Projects in the Teaching of Astronomy | ||
| Senior Project | ||
| Experiences in Teaching Physics | ||
| Major Upper-Division Elective (6 units) 5 | 3 | |
| SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 3 | 6 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| 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 (6 units)
Choose 6 units numbered 300-499 in PHYS and/or ASTR. With prior permission of a faculty major advisor, up to a maximum of 3 units may be taken in a related field outside of PHYS or ASTR.