Hi! Despite the fact that there’s already a previous post 6 years about the Physics Major as a whole, I got bored and want to procrastinate studying. I hope that this (in progress) documentation of the physics major may help incoming physics students.
Lower Division Requirements - Math
Math 31A/B (Calculus in One Variable)- These calculus classes are REQUIRED for anyone wishing to start the Physics 1 series (and the Physics major as a whole lol). I would say that truly understanding these classes is a MUST for anyone wishing to succeed in the Physics major. If you are able to, I would say to take these classes before coming to UCLA. This allows you take Physics 1A or 1AH in the fall of your freshman year.
Math 32A/B (Calculus of Multiple Variables)- These classes should be taken concurrently with Physics 1A (or AH) and Physics 1B (or BH). This is both from an enforced co-requisite standpoint and from my personal experience with the uses of multi-variable calculus in Physics classes. Concepts from multivariable calculus will be extensively used in upper division courses. Understanding how to think in 3d, and do calculus in 3d is crucial in my opinion.
Math 33A (Linear Algebra)- Another key class to take. All the things you learn about matrix manipulation, eigenvalues/vectors will be relevant in upper division courses and is important to learn early on (although, this class are not as important early on in freshman year). This is a prerequisite to Physics 32 and is highly recommended that you take this course in your first year.
Math 33B (Differential Equations)- This class, and I cannot emphasize this enough, is KEY to physics. You need to learn differential equations, and you need to know it well. There is so much differential equations (as of now) in my upper division courses. I know it says, oh wait until you take Math 33A, but I think not. It is my opinion that you should take this course directly after Math 31A/B (which means fall quarter for people coming in with Calculus BC credit). You will, in Physics 1A (or AH), already to start using differential equations (simple, damped, driven-damped harmonic oscillators for instance).
Math is truly crucial for understanding Physics, and I say that it is really really important that people wishing to pursue a physics major understand these initial mathematical concepts.
Lower Division Requirements - Physics
Physics 1AH (Mechanics)- Sorry, I took the honors series and do not have a point of reference to Physics 1A. Straight off the bat, this class is HARD. Like really really hard. I did not understand 80% of the first lecture (but that’s ok). Basically everyone struggles in this class. But, if you want to take a deep dive into physics and get a deeper intuition of mechanics this course is for you! To the people saying ”Oh, but I could skip this class because I took AP Physics Mechanics C” I would say give this course a chance. There is a high possibility that this course will challenge you a lot more than AP Physics Mechanics C (anecdotes from people who took AP Physics Mechanics C). To the people going “Oh this class might be too hard as I’ve never taken a physics course in high school“ again, give this class a try. I personally know many people who never took a physics class in high school and did very well in this course.
IMPORTANT NOTE- You must have completed Math 31A/B BEFORE coming to UCLA in fall quarter to take Physics 1AH. Physics 1AH is ONLY offered in fall. Well, ig you could take 1AH first quarter of sophomore year - but that kind of gets your 4 year track a bit off schedule. Physics 1A is offered all year so the 31A/B requirement before fall quarter freshman year is not needed should you forgo taking the honors series.
It is HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended that you take Math 33B along with this course. Knowing differential equations is really really nice for this course (stuff with oscillators will make so much more sense with this course). Math 32A is an enforce co-requisite Also recommended is office hours - they truly do help a lot.
You cover the standard mechanics things in this class (force, energy, momentum, angular momentum, torque) but you also get some really non-typical things like specular reflection, normal modes, and Rutherford Scattering.
Physics 1BH (E&M)- This class is of the same difficulty range as Physics 1AH. No particular math class to really recommend to take with this (apart from the co-requisite of Math 32B). However, note that you probably will be using stuff in Math 32B straight off the start (so you might want to read ahead in your Math 32B book lol). Again, if you are worried that it might be too hard, it is 100% possible to do with absolutely zero E&M knowledge to begin with (that’s me lol). You cover electrostatics, special relativity (to demonstrate that the B-field must exist), magnetostatics, and some electrodynamics. (You basically stop at the full set of Maxwell Equations)
Physics 1CH (Waves and Optics)- You get somewhat of a break! Celebrate lol. This class is a step down in difficulty from the other classes (at least it was for me). No insanely hard math on this one. For me, at the very least, I find the difficulty of upper division courses so far to be of a similar difficulty as 1CH. You cover waves, geometric optics, Doppler shifts, and some more special relativity.
Some things to note about the honors series
- The order of classes is flipped in comparison to the 1 series. Physics 1BH covers topics traditionally taught in Physics 1C, and Physics 1CH covers topics covered typically taught in 1B (plus some extra stuff)
- Smaller Class Sizes (you get to know your professors more)
- Nicer Curves (median in the B+ to A- range)
- You will be with engineers (good or bad depending on your viewpoint lol)
- Really nice (mildly trauma bonded) community
Physics 17 (Modern Physics)- This is… an interesting class at the very least. Content that you get in this class will be wildly varied. Both in terms of topics, and in terms of order. For instance, in my 17 class I learned baby quantum and then blackbody radiation, but in following 17 class did blackbody radiation then quantum. Some professors have even covered some elementary particle physics (my professor did not). But generally, you will cover the history of the lead up to quantum mechanics and some introductory quantum mechanics. Physics 32 is a co-requisite to this course.
Physics 32 (Mathematical Methods)- This class was previously known as Physics 131. Idk why it got demoted to a lower division course, but it did lol. I bring this up because you might see Physics 131 still up on the Physics and Astronomy website. This course is not to be confused with Physics 132, another mathematical methods class. Physics 32 covers a lot of linear algebra, differential equations, and Fourier Series and Transforms. Physics 132 is a complex analysis for physicists course (the naming of all these are kinda sucky). Prerequisites to Physics 32 are Math 31A/B, 32A/B, 33A. Co-requisite is Math 33B (but you should have done that fall quarter freshman year). Math 115A, while not at all a required class, I found was nice to know in preparation.
Physics 4AL/BL - These courses are kinda bad. Bad in the sense that you don’t really learn anything. 4AL is the lab component for Mechanics, 4BL the same for E&M. But, you kind of do really basic stuff in here (think collision of two objects measured by some sensor). Sure you might learn a little Python, but these classes are just boring. Work for these classes are in groups (so if you plan with friends you can all be in the same lab group). Take these whenever you want and you will be fine. Take both at once if you want (but don’t, its actually so mind numbing)
Random Lower Division Requirements
Chem 20A ()- Yet to take, saving it as an easier class later
CS 31 or PIC 10A ()- Yet to take, saving it as an easier class later
Initial Schedule
Optimally, if you come in with calculus credit, your freshman - beginning sophomore math/physics schedule should go like this
- Fall 1: Physics 1AH, Math 32A, Math 33B
- Winter: Physics 1BH, Math 32B, Some Class
- Spring: Physics 1CH, Math 33A, Some Class
- Fall 2: Physics 17, Physics 32, Some Class
After this, you are kind of free to take upper divisions as you choose (somewhat - there still is a bit of a suggested order).
Upper Division Requirements
Physics 105A (Analytic Mechanics)- Yay! This is probably your first upper division course. If you have taken Physics 1AH you probably know most of the stuff up until the first midterm. This course covers calculus of variations, the principle of least action, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, and gravity (NOT GR though lol - that’s a bit later). For a first dip into upper division classes, I think that its a pretty good course. Oddly enough, the course content of Math 134 aligns really nicely with the things you learn in Physics 105A if you want a math class to take with Physics 105A
Physics 110A (Electro and Magneto Statics)- Why not electrodynamics you may ask? Well, thats Physics 110B (a much scarier course). This class, by personal experience, was ok. You cover in more mathematical rigor the things you went over in 1BH. You get a taste of Laplace‘s Equation and Separation of Variables. You get fun words like Legendre Polynomials! You’ll be nicely equipped with Griffiths, so you’ll be in capable hands, no matter the professor.
Physics 105B (Analytic Mechanics Pt2) - Yet to take
Physics 110B (Electrodynamics) - In Progress
Physics 115A (Quantum Mechanics Pt1) - In Progress
Physics 115B (Quantum Mechanics Pt2) - Yet to take
Physics 115C (Quantum Mechanics Pt3) - Yet to take
Physics 112 (Statistical Mechanics) - Yet to take
Physics UD Elective 1 - Yet to take
Physics UD Elective 2 - Yet to take
Physics UD Elective 3 - Yet to take
Physics Lab 1 - Yet to take
Physics Lab 2 - Yet to take
(As you can see, I have a lot of courses to go - will update them as I complete them)
General Advice to Freshman Physics Students
- Mary Tran is the goat. If you have anything need for physics (PTE’s, class planning advice, etc) go to her.
- You can 100% do a cluster with all of these classes, if you so want. I think its a good way to knock out the Writing II, Diversity, and 4 GE credits.
- Get to know your fall quarter professors. If you want to do a REU (Research Experience for Undergraduate Students) Summer Program, you need to apply in Winter Quarter, which requires letters of recommendation from professors. If you go to office hours frequently, I see no reason why they should deny you a letter of recommendation. They’ve been in this position too, and they know the full process of research, including needing letter writing.
- UCLA offers its own internal Physics REU program
- Office hours are good, go to them
- Keep yourself accountable - take notes in lecture (in the previous post on physics the person said not to - I disagree)
- Don‘t trust the Bruinwalk Reviews - a lot of the down rated professor are actually quite good. I think that they’re not rated very well because they probably talk about subjects beyond the scope of the class. The subjects while interesting to a physicist, may not be to say an engineer. Talk to upperclassmen to see what they think. If anything, check the grade distribution of prior years
Double Major in Math
This is actually a pretty common thing for us physicists to do bc it’s a pretty doable thing. Like you don‘t need to die taking 5 classes a quarter. It’s very possible to only take like 4 classes a quarter for the first two years and only do three a quarter starting junior year. You may also get a better understanding of physics with a higher understanding of math as well.
Research
It is of my opinion that research within the physics department is not hard to get, if you keep your mind open that is (our department is comparatively small which means typically less competition). Some things to note
- DO NOT think that a lack in knowledge will prevent you from participating in a research lab. Professor, again, have gone through this process and know that they will have to teach you how to act as a researcher. They will still take you into their lab despite this.
- You can 100% join a lab your first year (even without extensive physics knowledge or a cracked resume). I did, and so did many other people I know, and we only had the 1 series behind our proverbial belts.
- Cold emailing works, but also getting to know graduate students too. Grad students act as a direct line between you and the professor you want to do research with. There’s a lot of events that feature graduate student work that you can attend and get to know.
- One of the Physics clubs on campus holds frequent graduate students and professor talks. Getting to know graduate students or professors through this means is a good way to try and get into a research lab. (you get to talk to someone in person and don’t have to wait for a reply from an email)
- Don’t expect to get paid, unless in an REU program. If you do get paid, well, pls let me know lol
- You will probably be doing (what I call) grunt work. That is, in an experiential lab you’ll probably be assisting a graduate student work and learn along the way
Clubs
There are a lot of clubs for physics. Here are the ones I think are most significant (just bc I know the most about them lol)
- W+PS (Women+ in the Physical Science) - Club devoted to supporting women and gender minorities in their journey with the physical sciences. Includes various opportunities in social/career development
- SPS (Society of Physics Students) - Academic and social club - lots of various fun things that they have for events. Lots of physics seminars/professor talks/grad student talks
- Sigma Pi Sigma - Physics Honors Society for academic development club. Have events with professors and hold various workshops.
- Upsilon Lab - Club to provide research experience to undergraduates in a club format
Here’s a list to the other clubs related to physics https://www.pa.ucla.edu/clubs.html
Succeeding in Physics
INTELLIGENCE IS NOT A FIXED ATTRIBUTE. Everyone (regardless of self perceived intelligence) can do physics should they put their mind to it. This is because everything, including one’s own intelligence, is a product of hard work. The more time you spend into a particular activity, the more knowledgeable you get in said subject (and thereby are perceived to be more intelligent in said area). By this measure, I will attempt to share my personal strategies on how to do well in this major.
- Do the homework. And don’t like just look up the answer when you struggle. I want you to struggle lol. Thats the entire basis of learning. Only when you truly have no clue, only give yourself hints. Admittedly while you may not have time to do this for everything, try as much as possible.
- Do not be the smartest person in the room. Always be around people that you feel have more gained intelligence than you. Overtime you will acquire that knowledge.
- Attend Lecture. It’s actually crazy to see how many people actually skip lecture and decide to learn off the book.
- Office hours and TA office hours. TAs are really knowledgeable too yk. Use them. Ask them questions.
- No question is a dumb question. If you are truly lost in a class, the worst thing is to keep quiet and just be more confused. If its a questions that heightens your understanding, then said supposed dumb question is actually a good question to ask.
- Talk to people. Physics is a very communal activity. You need to argue with people about ideas to come up with answers you are satisfied with. I find that the most productive thing to learn is to just bounce ideas. The physics community here at UCLA is wonderful and you’ll meet a lot of amazing people too as a bonus.
- Keep a sense of curiosity. This means not burning out lol. Generally, being interested in physics will keep your motivation to study up. Keep asking “why?” and you’ll often get a very good grasp of the intuition behind physics
- Old tests are great practice - you can find and get them from CPO in the Student Activities Center so long as you submit a test of yours to them
Physics, and the math behind it, is very much so a language. The more you immerse yourself in it, the more you understand the language of it. It is only through this heightened understanding in which physics feels less like an impenetrable wall and more like approachable topic.
General Resources
List of Major Requirements: https://www.pa.ucla.edu/majors-and-requirements.html
All Physics Course: https://registrar.ucla.edu/academics/course-descriptions?search=Physics
UCLA Physics REU Program: https://www.pa.ucla.edu/undergraduate-research-experience.html
Physics Tutoring: https://www.pa.ucla.edu/tutoring-center.html
Math Tutoring: https://ww3.math.ucla.edu/student-math-center/