Important program updates starting in the 2024-2025 academic year:
- The undergraduate program for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Physics will be discontinued for future students.
- The undergraduate program with a Biophysics Option will be discontinued for future students.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Physics may be used as preparation for graduate work or as a qualifying degree for professional employment. Undergraduate student participation in research is strongly encouraged, and a selection of electives in astronomy provide a substantial background for students planning graduate study in that field. The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Physics is 120 units, of which 81-84 units are in the major.
Programs in physics are built on a foundation of high school studies in mathematics and physical sciences. For completion of a Bachelor of Science degree program in 8 semesters (4 years), high school preparation is recommended in physics, chemistry, geometry, trigonometry, and algebra (two years). Students interested in physics and/or astronomy but lacking the high school preparation, or even those with a background in the arts and humanities, are able to succeed in our program, as well, with additional guidance.
Undergraduate Admissions
FRESHMAN
You are considered a freshman applicant if you will have attained a high school diploma or GED by the end of Spring term prior to the desired Fall admission term (or by the end of the Summer term prior to the desired Spring admission term).
TRANSFER
You are considered a transfer applicant if you attempted college coursework after high school graduation but have not completed a Bachelor's degree.
RETURNING
You are considered a returning applicant seeking readmission if you were a former Cal State LA undergraduate student who successfully completed at least one semester in a degree-seeking baccalaureate program and have lost continuing student status.
VETERAN/MILITARY
Cal State LA gives preference to all military veterans applying to undergraduate programs. This Veterans category includes active-duty, reservists and National Guard. Depending on your background, you may apply as a Freshman, Transfer Student, or Graduate Student.
INTERNATIONAL
Cal State LA welcomes students from around the world who wish to study at our urban campus located near Downtown Los Angeles. Depending on your background, you may apply as a Freshman, Transfer Student, or Graduate Student.
Undergraduate Program Details
* Please note the 2024-2025 University Catalog link may open slowly and contains certain out-of-date information regarding the Department Faculty, the discontinued B.A. degree for future students, and the discontinued Biophysics Option.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers an honors program for qualified students. Students may apply in their junior year after completing PHYS 2100-2200 and PHYS 3300-3400. Candidates must maintain a B (3.0) grade point average both in their major and overall. Completion of the honors program requires 2 units of independent, research-oriented study (PHYS 3960) and presentation of the work in a colloquium. Graduation with honors in Physics is conferred upon those students whom the faculty of the department deem worthy after presentation of the colloquium. Diplomas and transcripts of honors program graduates are designated: “Graduated with Departmental Honors in Physics.”
Sample of undergraduate honors talks from Spring 2024:
- Cristian Reynaga Gonzalez, "Thermal Decomposition of Nickel(II) Tetraphenylporphyrin: Core-Shell Nanoparticle Synthesis, Characterization, and Magnetic Properties", Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Oscar Bernal
- Jordan O'Kelley, "Simulating Organic Molecules in the Protostellar Disk to Understand the Origins of Life", Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Susan Terebey
- Francisco Canales, "Resolving the Pseudogap in the Y1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7-δ system", Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Oscar Bernal
Upon graduating from California State University, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Physics, our students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the key foundational concepts of classical and quantum physics by using them to accurately predict the outcomes of realistic physical situations.
- Demonstrate the ability to model physical phenomena, using both analytical techniques and computational methods.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply a range of laboratory skills and the ability to reliably and accurately collect, analyze, and interpret data.
- Communicate physics-related topics clearly and logically in both oral and written expression to diverse audiences.
A Minor in Physics, available for students majoring in other fields, requires 36 units in physics and mathematics, of which 22 are in lower division and 14 are in upper division courses. Students majoring in fields that require the same courses as those required for the Physics minor need take only those courses in the minor that are not incorporated into their major.