Why major in a physics-related field?
 

Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences. The ideas of physics provide the foundation for all the other sciences as well as all the engineering disciplines. The theoretical structures of physics, which derive from the logical interpretation of experimental data, are immensely powerful. The ideas of physics deal with phenomena that range from matter at its smallest scale (subatomic physics) to the large-scale structure of the universe (astrophysics).

At the same time, physics is extraordinarily important in our everyday lives. For example, when you take a commercial airline flight navigational aids like radar, global positioning satellite systems, and instrument landing systems help to keep you safe. Physicists invented and played key roles in the development of each of these systems. Likewise, physicists were responsible for many of the noninvasive diagnostic techniques used in medicine including X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, computer assisted tomography (CAT scans), and positron emission tomography (PET scans). Fiber optics systems developed by physicists are used both in medical diagnostics and microsurgery. Two of the three discoverers of the structure of DNA were physicists.

A host of inventions in the area of computers and communications including the transistor, the radio, and the Internet were developed by physicists. In fact, 25% of the world’s economy is said to depend on the physics of silicon. Today’s powerful microcomputers owe their existence to the rapidly growing field of condensed matter physics.

Physicists have an exceptionally wide range of career choices in research, development, consulting, and teaching in the basic and applied areas of physics and engineering. In addition, a degree in physics is excellent preparation for careers in the law (particularly patent law), business and finance.

Why choose Cal State Fullerton?
 

Teaching is Our First Priority: At many Ph.D. granting institutions the demands of a heavy research schedule leave faculty with little time to devote to undergraduate teaching. Our physics faculty, in contrast, are known for their teaching skills. We use the latest results from physics education research to ensure that students learn the discipline efficiently and effectively. All of our classes, including introductory ones, are small. Students have ample opportunity to get to know their instructors, and our faculty are eager to help students learn. We operate a tutorial center that provides one-to-one assistance to all of our students.

National Reputation: Although we are primarily a teaching institution, most of our faculty have active research programs in basic or applied physics research or in physics education research. They have been awarded millions of dollars in grants from such agencies and organizations as the Department of Energy, NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Research Corporation, and the Petroleum Research Fund. Our faculty members serve on numerous national committees and boards including the Council on Undergraduate Research, review panels for the National Science Foundation and NASA and the selection panel for the prestigious Fulbright Fellowships. We have excellent facilities for research in astronomy, astrophysics, condensed matter physics, optics, atomic physics, and computational physics. Our undergraduate physics majors have many opportunities to work on research projects with faculty members as an integral part of their learning experience.

Preparation for Graduate Work: Our undergraduate Bachelor of Science major in physics is designed to be flexible enough to provide excellent preparation for graduate work in physics and many related fields such as astrophysics, geophysics, biophysics, and many branches of engineering. The majority of our students, including those who work in industry, obtain advanced degrees.

Student Participation in Research: While we do not have a research requirement as part of our B.S. program, many of our students participate in one or more research projects before graduation. Most grant-supported research in the department includes funds to support undergraduate students. Several of our undergraduates have co-authored research papers with faculty members.

High Quality Faculty: Our physics faculty members are known for both their teaching and research skills. Three members of the department have received the CSUF Outstanding Professor Award.

What career opportunities are available?
 

BS in Physics: Our B.S. degree is excellent preparation for applied research, development, engineering, and secondary school teaching positions. The B.S. degree also is excellent preparation for students who plan to go on to careers in business, law, forensics, and many of the health professions.

Minors in Physics: A minor in physics often enhances the career opportunities for students with majors in other sciences, engineering, computer science, or mathematics. A minor in physics requires the completion of 12 units of Fundamental Physics courses (Physics 225, 226, 227 and 225L, 226L, 227L) and 9 units of upper-division courses (including Physics 380).

What courses are required?
 

Course requirements for the major in physics include:

General chemistry (Chem 120A, 125) (8 units)

Mathematics (Math 150A,B and 250A) (12 units)

Fundamental physics (Phys 225, 226, 227, and 225L, 226L, 227L) (12 units)

Survey of mathematical physics (Phys 300) (4 units)

Thermodynamics, kinetic theory and statistical physics (Phys 310) (3 units)

Classical mechanics (Phys 320) (4 units)

Electromagnetic theory (Phys 330) (4 unit)

Modern physics (Phys 340) (4 units)

Methods of experimental physics (Phys 380) (3)

Additional physics and general electives (including 1 upper-division lab)

Equivalent courses taken at community colleges, other CSU campuses, and UC campuses are fully transferable. Consult our department or your school's articulation document for details.

What's special at Fullerton?
 

An outstanding feature at Fullerton is active student participation in the research carried out by our faculty members. We have excellent facilities in experimental astrophysics, experimental condensed matter physics and optics, and experimental atomic physics. In addition, our excellent computational physics facilities are available to students interested in theoretical projects. The Dr. Robert W. Kedzie tutorial room, which is staffed by faculty and graduate students, provides a quiet comfortable environment for study and homework preparation. Our large student lounge provides opportunities for interaction with other physics majors and graduate students.

Can students get involved?
 

"Club Physics", our undergraduate physics club is open to all physics majors. It carries out a variety of social and professional activities including food sales, movie nights, and astronomy observing trips. Undergraduate students in our department also work part-time within the department as graders, laboratory assistants, and tutors.

Who advises me?
 

The physics department at Cal State Fullerton uses a centralized advising system. A single faculty member advises all undergraduate physics majors. Because of the structured nature of the physics major, it is very important for each physics major to schedule an appointment with the undergraduate advisor before the start of his or her first semester at Cal State Fullerton. To arrange for an advising appointment, call our department office at 714 278-3366.

Where is additional information available?
 

We encourage you to learn more about our undergraduate physics program by contacting our department Chair, Dr. Roger Nanes (714 278-3366 or e-mail rnanes@fullerton.edu), or our undergraduate advisor, Dr. Jim Feagin (714 278-3366 or email jfeagin@fullerton.edu). Dr. Nanes or Dr. Feagin would be pleased to answer your questions, and to arrange for a tour of our department.

Our award-winning web site (http://chaos.fullerton.edu/physics.html) also has additional information about our programs, students, and faculty.

See for yourself how your ambitions can become reality by selecting physics at Cal State Fullerton. Don't wait, start making your plans today!