Bachelor of Arts in Physics – PHYS Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Roadmap

This is a sample pathway for students who transfer to San Francisco State University in the current Bulletin year with an AS-T in Physics. Twenty-four units in the major (MATH 226, MATH 227, MATH 228, PHYS 220, PHYS 222, PHYS 230, PHYS 232, PHYS 240, and PHYS 242) and all lower-division GE requirements have been satisfied. Additional units in the major may have been satisfied. Check with a major advisor about the most appropriate course sequence. Degree completion guaranteed in 60 units; see the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) section for more information.

To Do at SF State:

Enough total units to reach 120 minimum for graduation; 30 units minimum at the upper-division level; to include the following:

University-Wide Requirements: 9–15 Units

  • American Institutions (0–6 units): US History, US Government, California State and Local Government requirements if not taken before transfer.
  • Upper-Division GE (9 units): Courses required for the major may double-count if approved for UD GE.
  • Students entering the major with the AS-T in Physics are not required to fulfill SF State Studies requirements.
  • Complementary Studies is met in major with required mathematics.

Physics B.A. Major:  30 Units

MATH 226, MATH 227, MATH 228, PHYS 220, PHYS 222, PHYS 230, PHYS 232, PHYS 240, and PHYS 242 met in transfer.

  • Prerequisites (4-7).
  • Upper-Division Requirements (20 units).
  • Upper-Division Electives (0-3 units).
  • Culminating Experience (3 units).

University Electives: 15 or More Units

Depending on course choices made at the community college, how transferred units are applied to the requirements above, and course choices at SF State. Some courses may meet more than one requirement, e.g. both in UD GE and the major.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
Select One (Major Upper-Division Core): 3
Computer Programming
Mathematical Computing
MATH 245 Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (Major Prerequisite) 1 3
PHYS 200 Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major (Major Prerequisite) 1
PHYS 320
PHYS 321
Modern Physics I
and Modern Physics Laboratory (Majro Upper-Division Core)
5
PHYS 385 Introduction to Theoretical Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
 Units15
Second Semester
PHYS 360 Electricity and Magnetism I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 370 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3
Major Elective - Take One 2 3
GE Area UD-B: Upper-Division Physical and/or Life Sciences 3
GE Area UD-C: Upper-Division Arts and/or Humanities 3
 Units15
Third Semester
PHYS 330 Analytical Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 491GW Advanced Laboratory Techniques I - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
GE Area UD-D: Upper-Division Social Sciences 3
U.S. and California Government 3
or University Elective if met in transfer
US History 3
or University Elective if met in transfer
 Units15
Fourth Semester
University Elective - Take Five 15
 Units15
 Total Units60
1

Students may also fulfill this requirement with both MATH 225 and MATH 376. This option may increase time to graduation. Speak with an advisor.

2

Electives (0-3 units)

Choose enough upper-division PHYS and/or ASTR courses to reach 54 units for the major. Students who take MATH 225 & MATH 376 will not need to take a PHYS or ASTR elective.