Applied Physics, Bachelor of Science College of Letters & Science

From the smallest subatomic particles to atoms, molecules, stars, and galaxies, the study of physics is the study of what makes the universe work. Knowledge gained using atomic-scale microscopes and high-energy particle accelerators and nuclear reactors teaches us not only what holds the atomic nucleus together but also how proteins function and why stars shine.

The Program

The Department of Physics & Astronomy offers a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and two Bachelor of Science degree programs: in Physics (which also offers an emphasis in Astrophysics), and in Applied Physics. The A.B. degree provides broad coverage of classical and modern physics while permitting a broader liberal arts education than is possible with the other two programs. The B.S. degree in either Physics or Applied Physics should be followed by the student who plans to enter physics as a profession, and also provides excellent training for a wide variety of technical career options. The B.S. in Applied Physics provides the student with a solid introduction to a particular applied physics specialty. For the student who plans to enter the job market upon completing a B.S. degree, the applied physics orientation would be an asset. Either B.S. program provides a solid foundation in physics for the student interested in graduate work in either pure or applied physics.

Career Alternatives

Careers in physics and applied physics include research and development, either in universities, government laboratories, or industry; teaching in high schools, junior colleges, and universities; management and administration in industrial laboratories and in government agencies; and in production and sales in industry. A major in physics also provides a strong base for graduate-level work in such interdisciplinary areas as chemical physics, biophysics and medical physics, geophysics and environmental physics, astrophysics and astronomy, computer science, and materials science.

Graduate Study

The Department of Physics & Astronomy offers programs of study and research leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Further information regarding requirements for these degrees, graduate research, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships may be obtained by writing to the Chairperson, Department of Physics, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Requirements & College Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Applied Physics Bachelor of Science major is 100.

Applied Physics—Atmospheric Physics Concentration

Preparatory Subject Matter
Physics
Choose a series:19-25
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Modern Physics
Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
Mathematics
MAT 021ACalculus4
MAT 021BCalculus4
MAT 021CCalculus4
MAT 021DVector Analysis4
MAT 022ALinear Algebra3
MAT 022BDifferential Equations3
Physics
PHY 040Introduction to Computational Physics3
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal44-50
Depth Subject Matter
Physics
PHY 104AIntroduction to Mathematical Methods in Physics4
PHY 105AClassical Mechanics4
PHY 110AElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 110BElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 112Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics4
PHY 115AFoundation of Quantum Mechanics4
PHY 116AElectronic Instrumentation4
PHY 116BElectronic Instrumentation4
PHY 102Computational Laboratory in Physics1-4
or PHY 104B Computational Methods of Mathematical Physics
Laboratory Requirement
Choose one:4
Introduction to Computer-Based Experiments in Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Condensed Matter Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Particle Physics
Concentration Courses
PHY 105CContinuum Mechanics4
ATM 120Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Cloud Physics4
ATM 121AAtmospheric Dynamics4
ATM 121BAtmospheric Dynamics4
GEL/ESP 150APhysical & Chemical Oceanography4
Additional Electives
Choose one:3-4
Computational Methods of Mathematical Physics
Introduction to Computer-Based Experiments in Physics
Oceanography
Radiation & Satellite Meteorology
Partial Differential Equations: Elementary Methods
Partial Differential Equations: Eigenfunction Expansions
Program Variance
Similar courses from other departments may be substituted for courses in the depth subject matter requirements by obtaining prior written permission from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Chairperson.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal60-64
Total Units104-114

Applied Physics—Chemical Physics Concentration

Preparatory Subject Matter
Physics
Choose a series:19-25
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Modern Physics
Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
Mathematics
MAT 021ACalculus4
MAT 021BCalculus4
MAT 021CCalculus4
MAT 021DVector Analysis4
MAT 022ALinear Algebra3
MAT 022BDifferential Equations3
Physics
PHY 040Introduction to Computational Physics3
Chemistry
CHE 002AGeneral Chemistry5
CHE 002BGeneral Chemistry5
CHE 002CGeneral Chemistry5
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal59-65
Depth Subject Matter
Physics
PHY 102Computational Laboratory in Physics1
PHY 104AIntroduction to Mathematical Methods in Physics4
PHY 105AClassical Mechanics4
PHY 110AElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 110BElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 112Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics4
PHY 115AFoundation of Quantum Mechanics4
PHY 116AElectronic Instrumentation4
PHY 116BElectronic Instrumentation4
Laboratory Requirement
Choose one:4
Introduction to Computer-Based Experiments in Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Condensed Matter Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Particle Physics
Concentration Courses
PHY 115BApplications of Quantum Mechanics4
PHY 140AIntroduction to Solid State Physics4
CHE 124AInorganic Chemistry: Fundamentals3
Program Variance
Similar courses from other departments may be substituted for courses in the depth subject matter requirements by obtaining prior written permission from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Chairperson.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal48
Total Units107-113

Applied Physics—Computational Physics Concentration

Preparatory Subject Matter
Physics
Choose a series:19-25
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Modern Physics
Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
Mathematics
MAT 021ACalculus4
MAT 021BCalculus4
MAT 021CCalculus4
MAT 021DVector Analysis4
MAT 022ALinear Algebra3
MAT 022BDifferential Equations3
Computer Science Engineering
ECS 036AProgramming & Problem Solving 4
ECS 036BSoftware Development & Object-Oriented Programming in C++ 4
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal49-55
Depth Subject Matter
Physics
PHY 104AIntroduction to Mathematical Methods in Physics4
PHY 105AClassical Mechanics4
PHY 110AElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 110BElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 112Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics4
PHY 115AFoundation of Quantum Mechanics4
PHY 116AElectronic Instrumentation4
PHY 116BElectronic Instrumentation4
Concentration Courses
PHY 104BComputational Methods of Mathematical Physics4
PHY 116CIntroduction to Computer-Based Experiments in Physics4
ECS 036CData Structures, Algorithms, & Programming 4
ECS 122AAlgorithm Design & Analysis 4
Additional Electives
Choose one each from Computer Science (ECS), Mathematics (MAT), and Physics (PHY):12
Computer Science
Theory of Computation
Algorithm Design & Analysis
Scientific Computation
Mathematics
Numerical Analysis
Numerical Analysis in Solution of Equations
Numerical Analysis in Differential Equations
Physics
Continuum Mechanics
Applications of Quantum Mechanics
Introduction to Solid State Physics
Program Variance
Similar courses from other departments may be substituted for courses in the depth subject matter requirements by obtaining prior written permission from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Chairperson.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal60
Total Units109-115

Applied Physics—Physical Electronics Concentration

Preparatory Subject Matter
Physics
Choose a series:19-25
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Modern Physics
Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
PHY 040Introduction to Computational Physics3
PHY 080Experimental Techniques4
Mathematics
MAT 021ACalculus4
MAT 021BCalculus4
MAT 021CCalculus4
MAT 021DVector Analysis4
MAT 022ALinear Algebra3
MAT 022BDifferential Equations3
Engineering
ENG 017Circuits I4
or ENG 017V Circuits I
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal52-58
Depth Subject Matter
Physics
PHY 102Computational Laboratory in Physics1
PHY 104AIntroduction to Mathematical Methods in Physics4
PHY 105AClassical Mechanics4
PHY 110AElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 110BElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 112Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics4
PHY 115AFoundation of Quantum Mechanics4
Laboratory Requirement
PHY 122AAdvanced Laboratory in Condensed Matter Physics4
or PHY 122B Advanced Laboratory in Particle Physics
Concentration Courses
PHY 110CElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 140AIntroduction to Solid State Physics4
EEC 100Circuits II5
Additional Concentration Electives
Choose four:16
Electronic Circuits I
Electronic Circuits II
Principles of Device Physics I
Principles of Device Physics I
Principles of Device Physics II
Program Variance
Similar courses from other departments may be substituted for courses in the depth subject matter requirements by obtaining prior written permission from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Chairperson.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal58
Total Units110-116

Applied Physics—Geophysics Concentration

Preparatory Subject Matter
Physics
Choose a series:19-25
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Modern Physics
Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
PHY 040Introduction to Computational Physics3
Mathematics
MAT 021ACalculus4
MAT 021BCalculus4
MAT 021CCalculus4
MAT 021DVector Analysis4
MAT 022ALinear Algebra3
MAT 022BDifferential Equations3
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal44-50
Depth Subject Matter
Physics
PHY 104AIntroduction to Mathematical Methods in Physics4
PHY 105AClassical Mechanics4
PHY 110AElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 110BElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 112Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics4
PHY 115AFoundation of Quantum Mechanics4
PHY 116AElectronic Instrumentation4
PHY 116BElectronic Instrumentation4
Laboratory Requirement
Choose one:4
Introduction to Computer-Based Experiments in Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Condensed Matter Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Particle Physics
Concentration Courses
PHY 104BComputational Methods of Mathematical Physics4
GEL 161Geophysical Field Methods3
GEL 162Geophysics of the Solid Earth3
Additional Electives
Choose three:10-12
Choose one:
Analytical Mechanics
Introduction to Computer-Based Experiments in Physics
Stellar Structure & Evolution
Choose one:
Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry & Cosmochemistry
Planetary Geology & Geophysics
Choose one:
Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Cloud Physics
Atmospheric Dynamics
Atmospheric Dynamics
Program Variance
Similar courses from other departments may be substituted for courses in the depth subject matter requirements by obtaining prior written permission from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Chairperson.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal56-58
Total Units100-108

Applied Physics—Materials Science Concentration

Preparatory Subject Matter
Physics
Choose a series:19-25
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Modern Physics
Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
PHY 040Introduction to Computational Physics3
Mathematics
MAT 021ACalculus4
MAT 021BCalculus4
MAT 021CCalculus4
MAT 021DVector Analysis4
MAT 022ALinear Algebra3
MAT 022BDifferential Equations3
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal44-50
Depth Subject Matter
Physics
PHY 104AIntroduction to Mathematical Methods in Physics4
PHY 105AClassical Mechanics4
PHY 110AElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 110BElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 112Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics4
PHY 115AFoundation of Quantum Mechanics4
PHY 116AElectronic Instrumentation4
PHY 116BElectronic Instrumentation4
PHY 102Computational Laboratory in Physics1-4
or PHY 104B Computational Methods of Mathematical Physics
Laboratory Requirement
Choose one:4
Introduction to Computer-Based Experiments in Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Condensed Matter Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Particle Physics
Concentration Courses
PHY 115BApplications of Quantum Mechanics4
PHY 140AIntroduction to Solid State Physics4
PHY 140BIntroduction to Solid State Physics4
EMS 174Mechanical Behavior of Materials 4
EMS 180Materials in Engineering Design4
Program Variance
Similar courses from other departments may be substituted for courses in the depth subject matter requirements by obtaining prior written permission from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Chairperson.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal57-60
Total Units101-110

Applied Physics—Physical Oceanography Concentration

Preparatory Subject Matter
Physics
Choose a series:19-25
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Modern Physics
Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
and Honors Physics
PHY 040Introduction to Computational Physics3
Mathematics
MAT 021ACalculus4
MAT 021BCalculus4
MAT 021CCalculus4
MAT 021DVector Analysis4
MAT 022ALinear Algebra3
MAT 022BDifferential Equations3
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal44-50
Depth Subject Matter
Physics
PHY 102Computational Laboratory in Physics1
PHY 104AIntroduction to Mathematical Methods in Physics4
PHY 105AClassical Mechanics4
PHY 110AElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 110BElectricity & Magnetism4
PHY 115AFoundation of Quantum Mechanics4
PHY 116AElectronic Instrumentation4
PHY 116BElectronic Instrumentation4
Laboratory Requirement
Choose one:4
Introduction to Computer-Based Experiments in Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Condensed Matter Physics
Advanced Laboratory in Particle Physics
Concentration Courses
PHY 105CContinuum Mechanics4
ATM 120Atmospheric Thermodynamics & Cloud Physics4
ATM 121AAtmospheric Dynamics4
ATM 121BAtmospheric Dynamics4
GEL/ESP 116NOceanography3
GEL/ESP 150APhysical & Chemical Oceanography4
Additional Electives
Choose one:4
Computational Methods of Mathematical Physics (Substitutions: Physics 102 is waived for students who take Physics 104B.)
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
Introduction to Computer-Based Experiments in Physics
Partial Differential Equations: Elementary Methods
Partial Differential Equations: Eigenfunction Expansions
Program Variance
Similar courses from other departments may be substituted for courses in the depth subject matter requirements by obtaining prior written permission from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Chairperson.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal60
Total Units104-110