Department Chair
Robert W. Zoellner, Ph.D.
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Science Complex A 470
(707) 826-3277 or 826-3244
This program is the prerequisite to many research positions offered by government and industry, and to graduate study. Careers in physics often require advanced degrees beyond the BS. Typical opportunities: aerospace scientist, medical technologist, systems analyst, astronomer, meteorologist, industrial hygienist, electronics engineer, fusion engineer, oceanographer, physical chemist, geophysicist, physicist.
The university’s nearby observatory on Fickle Hill has a 16-inch telescope, a 12-inch telescope, and several 8-inch telescopes for student and community use. The department also offers a well-equipped computer electronics laboratory.High school students should take English, mathematics, and physics.
CHEM
109 General Chemistry
CHEM
110 General Chemistry
MATH
109 Calculus I
MATH
110 Calculus II
MATH
210 Calculus III
MATH
241 Elements of Linear Algebra
PHYX
109 General Physics I: Mechanics
PHYX
110 General Physics II: Electricity, Heat
PHYX
111 General Physics III: Optics, Modern Physics
Core courses required for all majors:
MATH
311 Vector Calculus
MATH
313 Ordinary Differential Equations
MATH
314 Partial Differential Equations
PHYX
320 Modern Physics
PHYX
324 Analytical Mechanics
PHYX
325 Thermal Physics
PHYX
340 Symbolic Computation in the Sciences
PHYX
441 Electricity & Magnetism I
PHYX 450 Quantum Physics I
PHYX 485 Physics Seminar (fall & spring)
PHYX
315 Introduction to Electronics & Electronic Instrumentation
PHYX
316 Electronic Instrumentation & Control Systems
PHYX
420 Optical Systems Design
PHYX
462 Senior Lab
Plus six additional units from the following courses:
ENGR 330 Mechanics and Science of Materials
IT 230 Manufacturing I
PHYX 430 Computerized Instrumentation
or other acceptable upper division applied courses approved by your advisor.
GEOL 460 Solid Earth Geophysics
PHYX 310 Space-Time and Relativity
PHYX
360 Physics of Stars & Planets
PHYX 361 Galaxies and Cosmology
PHYX 442 Electricity and Magnetism II
PHYX 443 Electricity and Magnetism III
PHYX
315 Introduction to Electronics & Electronic Instrumentation
PHYX
316 Electronic Instrumentation & Control Systems
PHYX
420 Optical Systems Design
PHYX 442 Electricity & Magnetism II
PHYX 443 Electricity
& Magnetism III
PHYX
462 Senior Lab
Those students intending to enter graduate school in physics should take more courses in physics and mathematics. For example:
MATH
240 Introduction to Mathematical Thought
MATH
343 Introduction to Algebraic Structures
MATH
344 Linear Algebra
MATH
351 Introduction to Numerical Analysis
MATH
418 Introduction to Complex Analysis
PHYX
495 Selected Topics in Physics for Seniors
CHEM
109 General Chemistry
CHEM
110 General Chemistry
MATH
109 Calculus I
MATH
110 Calculus II
MATH
210 Calculus III
MATH
241 Elements of Linear Algebra
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
PHYX
110 General Physics II: Electricity, Heat
MATH 313 Ordinary Differential Equations
PHYX 304 Cosmos (recommended early in your program)
PHYX
315 Introduction to Electronics & Electronic Instrumentation
PHYX
320 Modern Physics
PHYX
324 Analytical Mechanics
PHYX
340 Symbolic Computation in the Sciences
PHYX 441 Electricity & Magnetism I
PHYX
442 Electricity & Magnetism II
Plus one of these physics courses:
PHYX 300 Frontiers of Modern Physical Science
PHYX 302 Light & Color
Plus 12 units from the following physics courses:
PHYX
310 Space-Time & Relativity
PHYX
316 Electronic Instrumentation & Control Systems
PHYX
325 Thermal Physics
PHYX
360 Physics of Stars & Planets
PHYX
380 Micrometeorology
PHYX
420 Optical System Design
PHYX 430 Computerized Instrumentation
PHYX 443 Electricity & Magnetism III
PHYX
450 Quantum Physics I
PHYX
451 Quantum Physics II
PHYX
462 Senior Lab
A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses with the “PHYX” prefix for the physics minor degree.
LOWER DIVISION
One of these physics series:
PHYX
109 General Physics I: Mechanics
PHYX
110 General Physics II: Electricity, Heat
OR
PHYX 106 College Physics: Mechanics and Heat, and
PHYX 107 College Physics: Electromagnetism & Modern Physics, and
PHYX 399 Supplemental Work in Physics
UPPER DIVISION
One of these two physics courses:
PHYX 310 Space-Time and Relativity
PHYX 320 Modern Physics
One of these two physics courses:
PHYX 324 Analytical Mechanics
PHYX 420 Optical Systems Design
Plus:
PHYX 360 Physics of Stars and Planets
PHYX 361 Galaxies and Cosmology
A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses with the “PHYX” prefix for the physics minor degree.
LOWER DIVISION
One of these calculus series:
MATH 105 Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources, and
MATH 205 Multivariate Calculus for the Biological Sciences & Natural Resources
OR
MATH 109 Calculus I (recommended), and
MATH 110 Calculus II
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
PHYX
110 General Physics II: Electricity, Heat
PHYX
111 General Physics III: Optics, Modern Physics
UPPER DIVISION
Core courses required for all minors:
PHYX 304 The Cosmos (recommended early in your program)
PHYX
315 Introduction to Electronics & Electronic Instrumentation
PHYX
320 Modern Physics
Plus one of these physics courses:
PHYX
310 Space-Time & Relativity
PHYX
316 Electronic Instrumentation & Control Systems
PHYX
324 Analytical Mechanics
PHYX 325 Thermal Physics
PHYX 340 Symbolic Computation in the Sciences
PHYX 360 Physics of Stars & Planets
PHYX 380 Micrometeorology
PHYX 420 Optical System Design
PHYX 441 Electricity & Magnetism I
PHYX 450 Quantum Physics I