Undergraduate: Programming Requirement in Physics

The Programming Requirement in Physics

• The Department recommends that every student gains programming experience prior to beginning the upper division major, however not every physics major has a programming requirement.

  FAQs regarding the Programming Requirement

  Q1: Is programming required for my physics major?

  A1: Check the chart below.
  
  

  PY26: B.S. Physics/Biophysics

  Not required.

  PY28: B.S. Physics/Earth Sciences

  Not required.

  PY29: B.S. Physics

  Students who complete the Physics 4 series can choose Chem. 6A or a Programming course. Student who complete the Physics 2 series must complete both Chem. 6A and a Programming course.

  PY30: B.A. General Physics

  Not required.

  PY31: B.A. General Physics/Secondary Ed

  Not required.

  PY32: B.S. Physics/Materials

  Required. (Chem. 6A-B are also required)

  PY33: B.S. Physics/Computational Physics

  Required. (Chem. 6A is also required)

  PY34: B.S. Physics/Astrophysics

  Students who complete the Physics 4 series can choose Chem. 6A or a Programming course. Student who complete the Physics 2 series must complete both Chem. 6A and a Programming course.

  
  

  Q2: How many courses does it take to satisfy the Programming Requirement?

  A2: Students must complete one course to satisfy the Programming Requirement.

  Q3: What UCSD courses can I take to satisfy the Programming Requirement?

  A3: The following UCSD courses can be taken to satisfy the Programming Requirement:

  Note: Some courses may not be offered each quarter. Check with individual departments regarding scheduled offerings.

  • CSE 5A
  • CSE 7
  • CSE 8A with 8AL (Note: Physics considers this “one” course)
  • CSE 12
  • CSE 86
  • MAE 8
  • NANO 15

  Q4: Can I take my programming course P/NP instead of for a letter-grade?

  A4: No. All courses taken for the major must be taken for a letter-grade.

  Q5: When should I complete the Programming Requirement?

  A5: Incoming students can complete the Programming Requirement anytime during the years when lower division major requirements are being completed (generally year 1 or year 2 for freshman, or year 1 only for incoming “junior” transfers). Students should complete the programming requirement prior to enrolling in upper division physics courses.

  Q6: I took a course at another college/university that I think should fulfill the programming requirement.
         How should I proceed?

  A6: Follow these steps:
  
  

  1. Make sure the course appears on your UCSD Academic History report. If it is not listed, contact the Office of Admissions and ask them to add it to your UCSD Academic History.
  2. Submit an Undergraduate Student Petition requesting that the course be reviewed for use towards the programming requirement for the physics major. Refer to the Petitions in Physics page for details.

  Q7: I want to take a course at another college/university that I think should fulfill the programming
         requirement. How should I proceed?

  A7: Check Assist.org to see if the course is formally articulated as one of the UCSD courses listed on this page. If so, take the course and then follow the steps in FAQ Answer 6 (A6). If not, contact the Staff Undergraduate Advisor Antoinette (Toni) Moore to discuss your options.

  Q8: I want to take a course at UCSD that is not currently listed as an approved programming course
         and apply it to the programming requirement for my major. How should I proceed?

  A8: Submit an Undergraduate Student Petition requesting that the course be reviewed for use towards the programming requirement for the physics major. Refer to the Petitions in Physics page for details.

  Q9: I took one of the approved programming courses here at UCSD. How do I get the
         programming requirement to show up as "complete" on my degree audit?

  A9: Students must download and submit an Undergraduate Student Petition to request that their course from the list above be added to their degree audit as the approved course for the programming requirement for the major. Refer to the Petitions in Physics page for details.

  Q10: I am a transfer student and have finished all of my lower division course-work except for the
          programming requirement. Can I enroll in my upper division courses even though I haven't completed
                 the programming requirement?

  A10: You can enroll in your upper division courses but you must take the programming course concurrently with your first upper division courses for the major.

  Q11: I have a question that has not been addressed in the FAQs nor on the Petitions in Physics page.
          How should I proceed?

  A11: Contact the Staff Undergraduate Advisor through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC). The Undergraduate Advisor will no longer respond to student emails sent to her email addresses (tmoore@physics, advising@physics, anm025@ucsd, amoore@physics, etc.). Access the VAC at: http://vac.ucsd.edu/.