• The Bachelor of Science degree offers an in-depth and rigorous treatment of physics for students intending to pursue careers in basic science.

    Degree listings here reflect current requirements. Since actual graduation requirements depend on the specific year which a student enters USC, students should always consult with their faculty advisor to determine course selection.

    Year 1

    Freshman

    		 Year 2

    Sophomore

    		 Year 3

    Junior

    		 Year 4

    Senior
    Fall Units Fall Units Fall  Units Fall  Units
    Math 125 4 MATH 226 4 MATH 445 4 PHYS 408a*

    (FA only)

    		 4
    WRIT 150 4 PHYS 152L/162L 4 PHYS 304*

    (FA only)

    		 4 PHYS 438b*

    (FA only)

    		 4
    PHYS 190*

    (FA only)

    		 2 GE Requirement 4 GE Requirement 4 PHYS 492L 4
    CHEM 105aL/115aL 4 Foreign Language 4 Elective 4 GE Requirement 4
    GE Requirement 4            
    Total 18 Total 16 Total 16 Total 16
         
    Spring Units Spring Units Spring Units Spring Units
    Math 126 4 MATH 225 4 PHYS 316*

    (SP only)

    		 4 PHYS 408b*

    (SP only)

    		 4
    CHEM 105bL/115bL 4 PHYS 153L/161L 4 PHYS 438a*

    (SP only)

    		 4 PHYS 440/430 4
    PHYS 151L/161L 4 Foreign Language 4 WRIT 340 4 PHYS 493L 4
    Foreign Language 4 GE Requirement 4 GE Requirement 4 Elective 4
    Total 16 Total 16 Total 16 Total 18
    Requirement Listing
    Required Lower Division Courses Units
    PHYS 161L Fundamentals of Physics I 4
    PHYS 162L Fundamentals of Physics II 4
    PHYS 163L Fundamentals of Physics III 4
    PHYS 190 Freshman Colloquium 2
    CHEM 105abL/115abL* Advanced General Chemistry 4-4
    MATH 125 Calculus I 4
    MATH 126 Calculus II 4
    MATH 226 Calculus III 4
    MATH 225 Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations 4
    Required Upper Division Courses Units  
    PHYS 304 Mechanics 4
    PHYS 316 Introduction to Thermodynamics
    and Statistical Physics    		 4
    PHYS 408ab Electricity and Magnetism 4-4
    PHYS 438ab Introduction to Quantum
    Mechanics and its Applications    		 4-4
    PHYS 440 Introduction to Solid
    State Physics    		 4
    PHYS 492L Senior Laboratory 4
    PHYS 493L Advanced Experimental Techniques 4
    MATH 445 Mathematics of Physics and
    Engineering II    		 4
    Total Units 77  

    *CHEM 105abL may be substituted for CHEM 115abL

  • The Bachelor of Arts degree is ideal for students pursuing careers in other fields (e.g. law, finance or business management). This degree provides a strong science background in physics, while allowing the flexibility to pursue a minor or double major.

    Degree listings here reflect current requirements. Since actual graduation requirements depend on the specific year which a student enters USC, students should always consult with their faculty advisor to determine course selection.

    Year 1

    Freshman

    		 Year 2

    Sophomore

    		 Year 3

    Junior

    		 Year 4

    Senior
    Fall Units Fall Units Fall  Units Fall  Units
    Math 125 4 MATH 226 4 MATH 445 4 PHYS 408a*

    (FA only)

    		 4
    WRIT 150 4 PHYS 152L/162L 4 PHYS 304*

    (FA only)

    		 4 PHYS 492L 4
    PHYS 190*

    (FA only)

    		 2 GE Requirement 4 GE Requirement 4 Elective 4
    CHEM 105aL/115aL 4 Foreign Language 4 GE Requirement 4 Elective 4
    GE Requirement 4            
    Total 18 Total 16 Total 16 Total 16
         
    Spring Units Spring Units Spring Units Spring Units
    Math 126 4 MATH 225 4 PHYS 316*

    (SP only)

    		 4 Restricted PHYS Elective* 4
    CHEM 105bL/115bL 4 PHYS 153L/161L 4 PHYS 438a*

    (SP only)

    		 4 Elective 4
    PHYS 151L/161L 4 Foreign Language 4 WRIT 340 4 Elective 4
    Foreign Language 4 GE Requirement 4 GE Requirement 4 Elective 4
    Total 16 Total 16 Total 16 Total 18
    Requirement Listing
    Required Lower Division Courses Units
    PHYS 161L Fundamentals of Physics I 4
    PHYS 162L Fundamentals of Physics II 4
    PHYS 163L Fundamentals of Physics III 4
    PHYS 190 Freshman Colloquium 2
    CHEM 105abL/115abL* General Chemistry 4-4
    MATH 125 Calculus I 4
    MATH 126 Calculus II 4
    MATH 226 Calculus III 4
    MATH 225 Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations 4
    Required Upper Division Courses Units  
    PHYS 304 Mechanics 4
    PHYS 316 Introduction to Thermodynamics
    and Statistical Physics    		 4
    PHYS 408a Electricity and Magnetism 4
    PHYS 438a Introduction to Quantum
    Mechanics and its Applications    		 4
    PHYS 492L Senior Laboratory 4
    Choose one (1) PHYS 408b,
    PHYS 438b,
    PHYS 440, or
    PHYS 493L    		 4
    MATH 445 Mathematics of Physics and
    Engineering II    		 4
    Total Units 65  

    *CHEM 115abL may be substituted for CHEM 105abL

    Restrictive PHYS Elective: Choose one (1)   PHYS 408b,    PHYS 438b,    PHYS 440,    PHYS 493L