<aside> 📌 If you are considering the physics major, we recommend that you also explore the "pre-major advice and resources" webpage.
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Physics major and minor prerequisites and upper division requirements are listed below briefly, but they are more comprehensively outlined on the main UCB Physics website. All undergraduate physics course descriptions can be found here.
Physics major prerequisites are listed in the table below and are more comprehensively outlined here. We accept high school exam credits for the math courses according to **these guidelines** outlined by the Math Department. Math course equivalents articulated on **Assist.org** are also accepted for the math prerequisites. However, high school exam credits CANNOT be used to satisfy any physics courses, and individual physics courses from California Community College (CCC) are subject to review if the entire physics series was not taken at the CCC. All physics and math transfer courses taken outside of the CCC system must be evaluated as well; contact your physics advisor if you plan to use non-CCC transfer courses to count as physics major prerequisites.
Additional notes: The Physics 5-series (i.e., Physics 5A, 5B, 5BL, 5C, and 5CL) is the honors version of the Physics 7-series. It is only recommended for students who have a strong physics background (e.g., from high school AP physics). Also, only students double majoring in math and physics (or transfer students who took the equivalent course prior to matriculating) can use Math 54 instead of Physics 89. All other students must take Physics 89. Additionally, note that Math N53 will not be accepted in place of Math 53. Lastly, know that Physics 77 is strongly recommended because it covers Python and other programming skills that are useful (and even necessary) for physics research. Python in particular shows up in Physics 105, Physics 111B, and Physics 112 (required courses), and also in Physics 129 and Physics 188 (optional electives). Therefore, if you don't end up taking Physics 77, we recommend that you learn Python via the Astro 98 Python DeCal, occasional SPS coding bootcamps, online resources (e.g., here), and/or by seeking support from our designated Python tutor each semester. Codings skills are also valuable to learn if you are considering industry after graduating since coding is an in-demand skill.
Please review the more comprehensive outline of the physics major program linked above for more details. As always, email your advisor if you have any questions!
Physics Major and Minor Prerequisites (typical sequence for majors)
There are eight required upper division physics courses for the major (in addition to the lower division prerequisites). Seven of these required courses are fixed (i.e., every physics major takes them), and one course is a flexible upper division physics elective (i.e., you can choose between several upper division physics electives offered to fulfill this requirement). Below I outlined a typical order in which physics majors take their required upper division physics courses. However, many students take these courses in various orders depending on their background, interests, course schedule, etc. This document outlines upper division physics requirements and details the various factors students consider about a course when discerning whether to take it in a particular semester. We recommend checking out the linked document so you can make an informed decision about your course schedule each semester. Additional note: Physics 105 and 137A tend to be offered in the summer as well.
Physics Major Upper Division Requirements (sample order)
The physics minor requirements are more flexible than the physics major requirements. Basically, there are five upper division physics courses required for physics minor (in addition to the lower division prerequisites). The upper division physics courses required for the minor are: