Area of Focus
  • Science & Math
Degrees Offered
  • B.S.
  • M.S.
  • Ph.D.
  • Undergraduate Minor
Academic Division
  • Physical and Biological Sciences
Department
  • Physics

On This Page

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Program overview

Physics seeks to discover the fundamental regularities or “laws” that govern our universe and to apply these laws to explain the behavior of fundamental and complex systems. The Physics Department offers majors in physics, physics (astrophysics), and applied physics. These programs prepare students for graduate work in physics, astrophysics and astronomy, for engineering and other technical positions in industry, and for careers in education. With appropriate courses in other disciplines, these majors provide excellent preparation for advanced study in technical subjects such as biology, chemistry, engineering, geophysics, and the philosophy of science. The applied physics major is excellent preparation for positions in industry directly upon graduation.

For more information about the physics (astrophysics) program requirements, please see the program description in the General Catalog.

Physics diarama

Learning Experience

Astrophysics students and faculty use a number of UCSC research facilities: The Theoretical Astrophysics Santa Cruz (TASC) Institute, University of California Observatories (headquartered at UCSC), and the Supercomputing Laboratory for Undergraduates (SLUG). Lick Observatory, home to the first automated planet-finding telescope, provides additional local research opportunities.

Astronomy and Astrophysics Research

Study and Research Opportunities

  • B.S., M.S., Ph.D., undergraduate minor, and a combined B.S./M.S. degree
  • The number of research opportunities for physics undergraduates is exceptionally high.
  • Within upper-division classes we offer a wide array of labs, including astronomical labs where students operate UC telescopes, and computational labs where students write their own codes.
  • The senior thesis requirement enables students to interact professionally with faculty in a research environment.
  • The California Teach program at UCSC supports student outreach, advises students, and arranges teaching internships for Science Education.

First-Year (Freshman) Requirements

High school students coming directly to UCSC should emphasize their math preparation with the expectation that they will take calculus in their first quarter at UCSC in order to concurrently take the Physics 5 series, calculus-based physics for physics majors.

Find more information on freshman requirements
Lab

Transfer Requirements

This is a screening major. Students transferring to UCSC as junior physics, astrophysics, or applied physics majors should have completed the equivalent of three quarters of introductory calculus-based physics with laboratory and the equivalent of three quarters of calculus. It is also desirable to have an introductory course in modern physics as well as mathematics courses in linear algebra, vector calculus, and differential equations. The Physics Department advises each junior transfer student individually upon their arrival.

Find more information on transfer requirements
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Internships and Career Opportunities

  • Business and industry
  • Computer hardware and software
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Professional schools
  • Patent law
  • Physics and astronomy research

These are only samples of the field’s many possibilities.

Program Contact

Physics (Astrophysics) Program

 

 

apartment Interdisciplinary Sciences Building, Rm 211 
email physicsadvising@ucsc.edu
phone (831) 459-3744