Bachelor of Science in Physics: Concentration in Physics for Teaching Roadmap – Quantitative Reasoning Category I/II

120 Total Units Required
Minimum Number of Units in the Major: 66

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.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterUnits
MATH 226 Calculus I (Major 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
 Units17
Second Semester
MATH 227 Calculus II (Major Prerequisite) 4
PHYS 220
PHYS 222
General Physics with Calculus I
and General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (Major Prerequisite, GE 5A, GE 5C)
4
GE Area 1A: English Composition 3 3
GE Area 1: English Communication 3
 Units14
Third Semester
Select One (Major Upper-Division Core): 3
Computer Programming  
Mathematical Computing  
MATH 228 Calculus III (Major Prerequisite) 4
PHYS 230
PHYS 232
General Physics with Calculus II
and General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory (Major Prerequisite)
4
GE Area 5B: Biological Science 3
 Units14
Fourth Semester
Select One (Major 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 Prerequisite)
4
GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities 3
GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 3
SF State Studies or University Elective 3
 Units16
Fifth Semester
PHYS 320 Modern Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 321 Modern Physics Laboratory (Major Upper-Division Core) 2
PHYS 330 Analytical Mechanics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 385 Introduction to Theoretical Physics I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
Select One: 3
Ordinary Differential Equations I (if MATH 225 taken)  
 
 Units14
Sixth Semester
PHYS 360 Electricity and Magnetism I (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
PHYS 370 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
Major Elective (9-12 Units Total) - Take Two 4 6
GE Area 6: Ethnic Studies 3
 Units15
Seventh Semester
Select One (Major Upper-Division Core): 3
Hands-on Undergraduate Science Education Experience  
Field Study for Secondary Teachers  
PHYS 491GW Advanced Laboratory Techniques I - GWAR (Major Upper-Division Core) 3
Major Elective (9-12 Units Total) 4 3
GE Area 5UD or 2UD: Upper-Division Sciences or Upper-Division Mathematical Concepts 3
GE Area 3UD: Upper-Division Arts or Humanities 3
 Units15
Eighth Semester
Select One: 3
Major Elective (9-12 Units Total) - Take One (if MATH 245 taken) 4
 
 
GE Area 4UD: Upper-Division Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
U.S. and California Government 3
SF State Studies or University Elective – Take Two 6
 Units15
 Total Units120
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

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.

4

Major Electives (9-12 units)
For students who choose MATH 245, 12 units of electives are required, whereas for students who choose MATH 225 & MATH 376, 9 units of electives are required. Selected in consultation with a faculty advisor to prepare to teach a second subject in addition to physics or general science at a 9th-grade level. Electives may be lower-division or upper-division courses.