Physical Science

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• Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physical Science
  
  
• Minor in Physical Science

Department Chair
Robert W. Zoellner, Ph.D.

Department of Physics and Astronomy
Science Complex A 470
(707) 826-3277 or 826-3244

The Program

The BS in physical science is a liberal arts degree program with emphasis in the sciences. Five departments offer introductory material. For upper division (junior and senior) requirements there is considerable flexibility, allowing pursuit of topics of interest within the sciences.

Those who complete the BS degree program will have a broad science background applicable in many industrial and business occupations.This program also may be helpful in preparing for state examinations for entry into the secondary education science credential program.

Preparation

High school students should take English, mathematics, chemistry, and physics.

Requirements for the Major

A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses with the “PHYX” prefix for the B.S. physical science major degree.

BIOL 105 Principles of Biology
CHEM 109 General Chemistry
CHEM 110 General Chemistry
GEOL 109 General Geology

MATH 105 Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources or
MATH 109 Calculus I (recommended)

MATH 110 Calculus II
PHYX 111 General Physics III: Optics, Modern Physics

Plus one of these physics series:
PHYX 106 College Physics: Mechanics & Heat, and
PHYX 107 College Physics: Electromagnetism & Modern Physics, and
PHYX 399 Supplemental Work in Physics, or

PHYX 109 General Physics I: Mechanics (recommended), and
PHYX 110 General Physics II: Electricity, Heat

UPPER DIVISION

PHYX 304 The Cosmos
PHYX 320 Modern Physics
PHYX 340 Symbolic Computation in the Sciences or approved alternative

Plus one of these physics courses:
PHYX 300 Frontiers of Modern Physical Science
PHYX 302 Light & Color
PHYX 310 Space, Time & Relativity
PHYX 315 Introduction to Electronics & Electronic Instrumentation
PHYX 340 Symbolic Computation in the Sciences
PHYX 360 Physics of Stars & Planets
PHYX 380 Micrometeorology

Plus nine units from the following courses:
CHEM 305 Environmental Chemistry
CHEM 328 Brief Organic Chemistry
CHEM 364 Introductory Physical Chemistry
CHEM 367 Introductory Physical Chemistry Lab

GEOL 300 Geology of California
GEOL 300L Geology of California Field Trip
GEOL 303 Earth Resources & Global Environmental Change
GEOL 310 Mineralogy & Optical Crystallography
GEOL 350 General Geomorphology

PHYX 300 Frontiers of Modern Physical Science
PHYX 302 Light & Color
PHYX 310 Space, Time & Relativity
PHYX 315 Introduction to Electronics & Electronic Instrumentation
PHYX 316 Electronic Instrumentation & Control Systems
PHYX 340 Symbolic Computation in the Sciences
PHYX 360 Physics of Stars & Planets
PHYX 380 Micrometeorology

Requirements for the Minor

A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses with the “PHYX” prefix for the physical science minor degree.

Choose Path 1 or Path 2.

Path 1

Lower Division
PHYX 109 General Physics I: Mechanics
PHYX 110 General Physics II: Electricity, Heat
PHYX 111 General Physics III: Optics, Modern Physics

Upper Division
Six approved upper division units in physics, chemistry, oceanography, or geology.

Path 2

Lower Division
MATH 105 Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources or
MATH 109 Calculus I

PHYX 104 Descriptive Astronomy

Plus one of these physics series:
PHYX 106 College Physics: Mechanics & Heat, and
PHYX 107 College Physics: Electromagnetism & Modern Physics, or

PHYX 106 College Physics: Mechanics & Heat, and
PHYX 118 College Physics: Biological Applications, or

PHYX 109 General Physics I: Mechanics, and
PHYX 110 General Physics II: Electricity, Heat

Upper Division
One of these physics courses:
PHYX 111 General Physics III: Optics, Modern Physics
PHYX 300 Frontiers of Modern Physical Science
PHYX 302 Light & Color

Plus:
PHYX 304 The Cosmos (recommended early in your program)

Plus one approved upper division course in physics, chemistry, oceanography, or geology.