Physical Sciences and Math

Students with interests in the physical sciences and mathematics may pursue UCSC majors in applied physics, chemistry (general, or a concentration in biochemistry), biochemistry and molecular biology, Earth sciences (general, or with concentrations in geology, geophysics, ocean sciences, and planetary sciences), environmental sciences, mathematics, mathematics education, mathematics theory and computation, physics, physics (astrophysics), or science education. Besides the college core course, first quarter UCSC students enroll in two or more lower-division courses (1 - 99), for a total of 15-19 credits, their first term.

INITIAL PLACEMENT

Students in this cluster should assess their placement in the following subjects prior to enrolling for their first term:

• Mathematics: Complete the Math Preparation and placement process. You can review your math skills for free to prepare you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to be posted in your student record.

QUALIFICATION FOR MAJORS IN THIS CLUSTER

Students must qualify for majors within this cluster by earning specific grades in foundation courses. Consult the Getting Started in the Major Guides below and/or the UCSC General Catalog for specific information about qualification requirements for majors you are considering.

GETTING STARTED IN THE MAJOR GUIDES

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Earth Sciences
• Environmental Sciences
• Mathematics B.A.
• Mathematics B.S.
• Mathematics Education
• Mathematics Theory and Computation
• Physics (including Astrophysics, Applied Physics)
• Science Education

CONTACT INFORMATION

Applied Physics, Physics, Physics (Astrophysics) and Science Education

Physics Advising
physicsadvising@ucsc.edu
https://www.physics.ucsc.edu/

Chemistry, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Chemistry Advising
chemistryadvising@ucsc.edu

Earth Sciences and Environmental Sciences
Earth Sciences Advising
epsadvising@ucsc.edu
https://eps.ucsc.edu/

Mathematics B.A., B.S., Mathematics Education, and Mathematics Theory and Computation
Mathematics Advising
mathadvising@ucsc.edu
https://www.math.ucsc.edu/

Last updated 6/2024