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Getting started in Science Education: 2023-2024 Entering Frosh

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Students are admitted to UCSC with a "proposed major" in most cases, and later petition to officially declare the major. Admission to UCSC does not guarantee acceptance into a particular major. Students must be declared in a major by the end of the second year (or equivalent), so learning about and preparing for a major is a primary goal for first-year students.

Importance of an early start:

This is a course-intensive program, and students who intend to pursue this major must begin taking classes for the major in their first year at UC Santa Cruz.

Qualification requirements and/or prerequisites for the major:

Review Major Qualification Requirements in the General Catalog.

Frosh who intend to pursue this major should do the following things prior to the beginning of fall term...
  • Complete the Math Preparation and placement process. You have 15 free hours of math skills review to prep you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to post in your student record. Completing the assessment by August 2 will ensure your placement is posted before enrollment begins (although depending on your enrollment appointment, you may have more time!). 

...and should take these courses their first term:
  • Because of the broad based nature of the major, with introductory courses in physics, chemistry and mathematics, there is considerable flexibility in what courses are taken in the first two years, as long as enough courses required for the major are completed. However, it is simplest to follow the appropriate major planner in the General Catalog linked below; students should consult with the physics undergraduate advisor if they want to do something different.
  • Students should complete at least two courses in the calculus sequence (MATH 11A and MATH 11B or MATH 19A and MATH 19B) in the first year; MATH 19A and MATH 19B are required for students who choose physics as one of their specializations.

Special enrollment procedures:

Enroll online during your enrollment appointment.

Sample Academic Plan:

Review the Sample Academic Plan in the General Catalog.

Other Information:

This major is designed for students interested in teaching science in California high schools. It may be suitable for students who start out in other science majors and are interested in high school teaching.

Links to Review:

Science Education Program Description (Catalog)
Department Website
Assist.org

Advisor Contact Information:

Physics Advising

(831) 459-1347 or physicsadvising@ucsc.edu
211A Interdisciplinary Sciences Bldg.

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