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 environmental geology, geology, ocean sciences, and planetary sciences), environmental sciences, mathematics, mathematics education, 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: Determine your math placement by completing an assessment in ALEKS. If you completed a college-level math course, or scored 3 or better on an AP calculus exam, or 5 or better on an IBH mathematics exam, you may be able to use that for placement instead of the ALEKS assessment. Math assessment indicates the mathematics course where you should begin.

• Chemistry Self-Assessment: The following majors in this cluster require chemistry: chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, environmental sciences, Earth sciences, and science education. Students can take the Chemistry Self Assessment for assistance in determining when to begin in general chemistry.

QUALIFICATION FOR MAJORS IN THIS CLUSTER

Students must qualify for most 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
• 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., and Mathematics Education
Mathematics Advising
mathadvising@ucsc.edu
https://www.math.ucsc.edu/

Last updated 8/2021