Major Advising
- Students are encouraged to make an appointment with their major advisor at least once a year. By their junior year, students should speak to a College of Letters and Science advisor to check on General Education requirements.
- For guidance on how to get involved in physics research areas, please see pg 10 and 22 in this packet created by the Physics Club in 2022. Learn more on the "Undergraduate Research with Faculty" page.
- Graduating seniors are encourage to added to an Alumni Spreadsheet to stay connected with the Department of Physics & Astronomy.
Graduation Academic Plans
First Year Student
Physics Course Schedule, Yearly
Transfer Student
Learning Objectives
The undergraduate curriculum in physics prepares students for graduate school in physics, professional school (medicine, law), industry, or teaching. Students graduating with a physics degree should be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency with mathematics and mathematical concepts
- Work in a wide variety of technical, academic, and professional careers
- Demonstrate knowledge of classical and quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, laboratory skills including basic digital electronics and computer interfaces to scientific equipment, special relativity and scientific programming
- Work in a professional laboratory setting
Physics/ECE B.S and M.S Integrated Degree Program (IDP)
The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Graduate Program offers a B.S./M.S. integrated degree program in Physical Electronics for Physics undergraduates. Students interested in applying for this program should follow the Applied Physics-Physical Electronics concentration check sheet. Undergraduate students should apply in their junior year for this program and would take Graduate courses in ECE concurrently with their senior year classes. Please see the IDP website for more information. This is a great opportunity for Physics students to get a Masters degree in a short period of time at UC Davis!
If you would like to substitute or waive a course requirement please follow the steps below.
Course Substitution/Waiver Requests
- Course Needs to be submitted well in advance, preferably prior to enrollment in the course.
- Course must be an undergraduate level. Graduate level courses will not be accepted.
- Contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor to set up a meeting with a faculty advisor.
- Faculty advisor submits course substitution/waiver request to the Undergraduate Program Committee for approval. You will be contacted once the committee reaches a decision.