The physical sciences deal with analysis of natural phenomena through quantitative description and synthesis. Students will learn to solve scientific problems and to understand the processes by which scientific knowledge is obtained, evaluated and placed in the context of societal relevance. Through courses in the life and physical sciences, students get an insider’s perspective of cutting-edge research. Students’ opportunities extend beyond the classroom and into the world of faculty with active laboratories, as well as model-based and field research programs.

The following courses have been approved to satisfy the GE-E, Physical Sciences requirement.  This list also notes any additional GE requirements the course may satisfy.

updated: 2/15/2023

Astronomy

  • ASTR 100Lxg, The Universe
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    ASTR 200Lg, Life in the Universe
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

Chemistry

  • CHEM 103Lxg, General Chemistry for the Environment and Life
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    CHEM 105aLg, General Chemistry
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement
    This course is not for a general student audience.  It is part of the curriculum for certain majors and pre-professional students.

    CHEM 107Lg, General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement
    This course is not for a general student audience.  It is part of the curriculum for certain majors and pre-professional students.

    CHEM 115aLg, Advanced General Chemistry
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement
    This course is not for a general student audience.  It is part of the curriculum for certain majors and pre-professional students.

    CHEM 205Lxg, Chemical Forensics: The Science, and Its Impact
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

Geological Sciences

  • GEOL 105Lg, Planet Earth
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    GEOL 107Lg, Oceanography
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    GEOL 108Lg, Crises of a Planet
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    GEOL 125Lg, Earth History: A Planet and Its Evolution
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    GEOL 130Lg, The Nature of Scientific Inquiry
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    GEOL 150Lg, Climate Change
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    GEOL 160Lg, Introduction to Geosystems
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    GEOL 240Lg, Earthquakes
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    GEOL 241Lg, Energy Systems
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

General Education Seminars

GE Seminars are limited to freshmen.

  • GESM 150Lg, Seminar in the Physical Sciences
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    GESM 151Lg, Seminar in the Physical Sciences
    This course does not satisfy an additional GE requirement.

Linguistics

  • LING 285Lg, Human Language and Technology
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

Physics

  • PHYS 100Lxg, The Physical World
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    PHYS 110Lxg, Physical Science and the Universe
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    PHYS 125Lg, Physics for Architects
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement
    This course is not for a general student audience.  It is part of the curriculum for certain majors and pre-professional students.

    PHYS 135aLg, Physics for the Life Sciences
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement
    This course is not for a general student audience.  It is part of the curriculum for certain majors and pre-professional students.

    PHYS 151Lg, Fundamentals of Physics I:  Mechanics and Thermodynamics
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement
    This course is not for a general student audience.  It is part of the curriculum for certain majors and pre-professional students.

    PHYS 161Lg, Advanced Principles of Physics I
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement
    This course is not for a general student audience.  It is part of the curriculum for certain majors and pre-professional students.

    PHYS 171Lg, Applied Physics I: Mechanics
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

    PHYS 200Lxg, The Physics and Technology of Energy
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement

Spatial Sciences

  • SSCI 265Lg, The Water Planet
    also satisfies the Dornsife Core Literacy requirement