Undergraduate
Majors Offered:
Embark on a journey with hands-on learning, supportive faculty, and opportunities that spark your passion.
The Undergraduate Program
Physics /Astrophysics Major
The UCSC major in physics/astrophysics is administered by the Physics Department and combines a core physics major with advanced electives in astrophysics, an astrophysics laboratory course, and senior thesis work on a topic in astrophysics. It is a rigorous program designed to prepare students for a broad range of technical careers or for entry into graduate or professional programs.
Astrophysics Minor
For undergraduate students having a particular interest in the subject, a minor in astronomy and astrophysics is offered. Most students who minor in astronomy and astrophysics are majors in another area of the physical sciences, but it can be taken by any student who has a special interest in astronomy.
The minor in astronomy and astrophysics requires that students take the Physics 5 or 6 series (with associated laboratories), Physics 101A, a minimum of two courses from the Astronomy 12-18 series, and a minimum of three courses from the Astronomy 112-118 series, PHYS 129, PHYS 171, ASTR 257. A senior thesis on an astronomy-related topic is also encouraged.
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Instruction in astronomy for undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz is designed to meet the needs of several groups of students.
Astronomy & Astrophysics courses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 provide a general survey of the universe as now understood from historical and modern observations and are intended for those not specializing in a scientific discipline.
Astronomy & Astrophysics courses 12, 13, 16, and 18 emphasize basic physical laws and theories as applied to astronomy and provide a survey of modern astronomy for students with some facility in mathematics. Taken separately, they provide an in-depth introduction to gravitational interaction, stellar evolution, and extragalactic astrophysics. These courses are designed for students intending to major in a scientific subject, although qualified non-science majors may attend. A good high school background in mathematics and physics is assumed. Prior or concurrent enrollment in a basic calculus course (Mathematics 11A or 19A) and a basic physics course (Physics 5A/L or 6A/L) is helpful but not required.
Finally, a more thorough quantitative treatment of selected topics in astronomy and astrophysics at the upper-division level is provided by Astronomy & Astrophysics courses 111, 112, 113, 117, and 118. Completion of course work in calculus of several variables (Mathematics 22 or 23A-B) and Physics 5B/M or 6B/M and 101A is required for these advanced courses.
Advising
Contact
Department Office
Room 211 of the Interdisciplinary Sciences Building (ISB) on Science Hill
Brandon Day
(Undergraduate Student Adviser)
Voicemail: (831) 459-5683
Fax: (831) 459-1568
Physics Advising: physicsadvising@ucsc.edu
Advising
Make an appointment: Use our online appointment system to schedule a 20-min appointment to meet one-on-one with your advisor.
**NOTE**: Appointments are only available two weeks in advance. Each day a new set of appointment times becomes available and cancellations may be made at any time. If you are not able to attend your appointment, please cancel to allow that time slot to be used by your fellow students.
Come to drop-in advising: We host drop-in hours each Wednesday morning and afternoon at our office, Interdisciplinary Sciences Building, Room 211. We also offer extended drop-in advising hours during the beginning of each quarter. Check our advising calendar for availability.