<aside> 🎉 Each academic year the Physics Department welcomes about 40 transfer students to the physics major. Typically, these students have completed the IGETC sequence at their California Community College (CCC) as well as the physics sequence outlined for their CCC on Assist.org. This allows for the smoothest transition into the physics major (and College of Letters and Science) at UCB. Transfer students from colleges other than CCCs should contact their physics major advisor to ensure that their prerequisite coursework from their university is evaluated.
Recommended actions for transfer student intending to major in physics are included below. Additional information and recommendations for transfer students, including preliminary course advice, can be found on the main UCB Physics website transfer students page.
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[ ] Check your UCB email by one to two months before your entering term to learn important information about recommended courses, resources, and the physics orientation. Plan to attend the August "Launch Day" orientation events if you are entering in the fall.
[ ] Join our communication channels to stay plugged into the physics community's news, events, posts, and updates.
[ ] Plan to enroll in Physics 153 for your first fall semester. This is a one-unit, Pass/No Pass course that is specifically designed to introduce physics transfer students to resources, mentors, and community. If you are entering in the spring, then you should enroll in Physics 198BC instead. (See later note.)
[ ] Explore the following resources: Physics tutoring, UCB Physics Wiki for Undergrads, Physics Student Organizations, undergraduate physics course descriptions, and the Physics Major Map, and familiarize yourself with other tips and resources linked in the main page.
[ ] Consider enrolling in Physics 198BC (for juniors and seniors). This is a one-unit, Pass/No Pass Berkeley Connect course that introduce you to physics resources, community and mentors. Incoming fall transfer students should take Physics 153 in the fall instead, but they have the option to take Physics 198BC in the spring for additional support. Incoming spring transfer students should plan to take Physics 198BC in their first spring semester.
[ ] Join a Physics Student Organization, attend an event and/or physics colloquium, meet with your physics major advisor, form study groups, visit professor and GSI office hours, and explore research opportunities, career resources, and/or physics graduate school resources if interested. Basically, find community in physics in whichever way(s) work for you. Physics is challenging, but there are many options available to find support and resources. Take advantage of them!
[ ] Plan to declare your physics major by the end of your first semester at Cal. Follow the steps outlined here to request to declare your major.