Our department offers several programs leading to the B.S. and B.A. degrees in physics. The philosophy of our degree programs is to train students not only to acquire the knowledge of Physics but to learn how to solve new problems and to participate in the creation of new knowledge.
The extensive course offerings and modern facilities within the Department of Physics & Astronomy, coupled with close, personal counseling by faculty advisers, provide students with a physics program that is characterized by its breadth and flexibility. Students are also encouraged to participate in undergraduate research during their stay at UCR. The hands-on experience gained from this can be invaluable for their future careers. In 2009, 57% of graduates participated in research with our faculty.
The core requirements begin with our freshman seminar, Physics 39, focusing on physics-related careers and research while setting expectations for the undergraduate major experience. The requirements culminate with our capstone advanced laboratory course, Physics 142L, which provides an equipment-rich, open-ended laboratory experience where students apply, integrate and further develop the knowledge and skills they have acquired while pursuing their major.
A unique feature of our undergraduate major curriculum is the 24 unit introductory sequence, Physics 41ABC, designed specifically for Physics majors and intended to be taken in their freshman year. This series puts our undergraduates on the fast track to upper division Physics courses, undergraduate research, and towards success within the major. All Physics degrees require the same core courses which are generally completed by the end of junior year leaving time for additional courses that meet the students goals and interests.
Our program offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees in Physics.
The B.A. degree is ideal for students who want a liberal arts education and future careers in law, business or policy with training in physics that may be useful in patent law, high tech business management or sales and technology policy.
There are several tracks within the B.S. degree program:
Both the Standard and Applied Physics and Engineering tracks offer ideal preparation for graduate school in Physics, Astronomy, Applied Physics or Engineering. The latter track also aims at students interested in immediate employment in STEM-related fields who may wish to take more courses in computer science or engineering. In addition, students may consider obtaining a minor in Math minor by taking 24 upper division units in Math such as Math 113, 146ABC, 165AB.
The Biophysics track is appropriate for students interested in medical or other health-related professional school or graduate school in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, Biophysics, or Biochemistry or Environmental Physics.
