Course Registration FAQ

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How can I move from the PHY 7 series to PHY 9 series?

Following PHY 7A or 7AB, students need to take PHY 9A, PHY 9B, and PHY 9C. They will receive only 2 units of credit each for 9A and 9B.

How can I move from the PHY 9 series to PHY 7 series?

Following PHY 9A, students will need to take PHY 7A, PHY 7B, and PHY 7C. They will receive only 2 units of credit for 7B.

Following PHY 9AB, students will need to take PHY 7B and PHY 7C. They will receive only 2 units of credit for 7B.

Following PHY 9AC, students will need to take PHY 7A and PHY 7C. They will receive only 2 units of credit for 7C.

What Physics course should I take? I took some Physics at another institution and need a Physics Equivalency Review.

If you completed physics courses at a California Community College, use Assist.org to determine whether the courses have an established UC Davis PHY equivalency. If your community college physics coursework articulates only to the PHY 7 series and you intend to take PHY 9, you must complete the entire PHY 9 series at UC Davis.

Courses completed at four-year institutions or at institutions without an established articulation may require review by the Physics Department through a Physics Equivalency Review request.

For a physics course to qualify for UC Davis PHY equivalency, its laboratory component must be conducted in person, under instructor guidance, in a classroom or laboratory setting. Final examinations must also be administered in person. This requirement applies regardless of the type of institution at which the course was completed.

What Physics credits can I receive for my A-Level exams?

If you passed your Physics A-level with an A, you may receive credit for Physics 1A and 1B. PHY 1A and PHY 1B does not apply to your degree requirement if you need the PHY 7 or 9 series.

How can I get a PTA?

PHY 7/9

A PTA will not be granted to override prerequisites, waitlist or if you were dropped due to late payments. The Physics department freezes registration permanently for PHY 7/9 during the Registrar's Registration Freeze (See the Academic Calendar). Once registration has been frozen you need to attend all parts of the course, including Lecture, Discussion, Lab and Discussion/Lab (D/L). The D/L or Lab TA will issue PTA numbers to students if there is space. PTA numbers will not be issued before the beginning of the quarter. As a reminder, all PHY 7/9 courses are offered every quarter and both summer sessions at UCD. The PHY advisor and lecturer will not issue PTAs.

AST 10L/25

The Physics department freezes registration permanently for AST 10L and AST 25 during the Registrar's Registration Freeze (See the Academic Calendar for Dates). Once registration has been frozen, all students are required to attend the first Lab to ask the Lab TA for a PTA number. If there is space in the course, the TA will add you. No students will be added after the first Lab. The PHY advisor and lecturer will not issue PTAs.

I am registered for one section of PHY 7/9 but want to switch to another, how do I do this?

Do not drop your registered section during Enrollment Freeze. You should speak with the D/L or Lab TA of the section you want to get into. If there is space, you will have to switch sections using the Course Section Switch Form. The TA of the section you want to switch into will sign as the instructor.

I am repeating PHY 7. Do I need to retake discussion/lab (D/L)?

Yes. You must retake all parts of PHY 7 if you are retaking the course.

I am repeating PHY 9ABC. Do I need to retake lab?

You do not need to repeat the Lab portion of PHY 9ABC if you have received a Pass (P) or High Pass (HP) in the lab portion of the course within the past 2 years (Example: a lab grade received in Fall 2017 may be used in Fall 2019 but not Winter 2020). You must attend the first lab and let the TA know that you are repeating the course and using a Prior Lab Grade. After verification with the instructor in charge of PHY 9, you will not need to attend the lab portion of the course but must continue attending all other parts.

If you received a Low Pass (LP) or a No Pass (NP), you must repeat the lab.