Prerequisite Map
Physics students are strongly urged to consult with a faculty member in the Department of Physics prior to taking any classes at CSUSB. See the Bulletin of Courses for descriptions of courses.
Math Courses Relevant to Physics Majors
| Prerequisites | Prerequisite For |
Notes |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Math 110 Algebra | Math 120 | Usually satisfied in high school | |
| Math 120 Pre-Calculus | Math 110 | Math 211 Physics 150 |
Usually satisfied in high school |
| Math 211 Single Variable Calculus I | Math 120 | Math 212 Physics 211 |
|
| Math 212 Calculus II | Math 211 | Physics 221 (corequisite or recommended prerequisite) Physics 222 Math 213 Math 251 |
|
| Math 213 Calculus III | Math 212 | Physics 222 (corequisite or recommended prerequisite) Math 345 Math 355 Math 252 |
|
| Math 251 Multi Variable Calculus I | Math 212 | Math 252 Math 331 |
|
| Math 252 Multi Variable Calculus II | Math 251 | Physics 324 Physics 318 Physics 373 |
|
| Math 331 Linear Algebra | Math 251 | Physics 373 (recommended) Physics 421 Physics 473 Physics 573 |
|
| Math 345 Number Theory | Math 213 | Take this or Math 355 to satisfy a Math minor | |
| Math 355 | Math 213 | Take this or Math 345 to satisfy a Math minor |
Chemistry and Computer Science Courses Relevant to Physics Majors
| Prerequisites | Prerequisite For |
Notes |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry 215 Intro Chemistry I | Physics 318 | ||
| Chemistry 216 Intro Chemistry II | Chemistry 215 | ||
| Computer Science 125 Intro Visual Basic Programming | Computer Science 201 | Usually satisfied in high school | |
| Computer Science 201 Intro C++ Programming | Computer Science 125 (recommended) | Physics 350 |
Lower Division Physics Courses
| Prerequisites | Prerequisite For |
Notes |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics 150 Introductory Electronics | Math 120 | Physics 350 | |
| Physics 221 Intro Sequence I | Math 211 Math 212 (recommended prerequisite or corequisite) |
Physics 222 | Start of Introductory Physics Sequence |
| Physics 222 Intro Sequence II | Physics 221 Math 211 Math 212 (recommended prerequisite or corequisite) |
Physics 223 Physics 350 Physics 373 |
|
| Physics 223 Intro Sequence III | Physics 222 | Physics 224 | |
| Physics 224 Intro Sequence IV | Physics 223 | Physics 225 Physics 318 |
|
| Physics 225 Intro Sequence V | Physics 224 | Physics 313 Physics 370 Physics 324 Physics 306 Physics 421 Physics 473 |
Critical Nexus needed to unlock several required classes |
Upper Division Physics Courses
| Prerequisites | Prerequisite For |
Notes |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics 306 Classical Mechanics I | Physics 225 Physics 373 |
Physics 307 Physics 421 |
|
| Physics 307 Classical Mechanics II | Physics 306 | ||
| Physics 313 Electromagnetism I | Physics 225 Physics 373 |
Physics 314 Physics 315 Physics 430 |
|
| Physics 314 Electromagnetism II | Physics 313 | Physics 422 | |
| Physics 315 Optics | Physics 313 | ||
| Physics 318 Material Physics | Chemistry 215 Physics 224 Math 252 |
||
| Physics 324 Statistical Mechanics | Physics 225 Physics 373 |
||
| Physics 350 Data Acquisition and Control | Physics 222 Physics 150 Computer Science 201 |
Physics 352 | |
| Physics 373 Mathematical Methods I | Math 252 Physics 222 Math 331 (recommended) |
Physics 306 Physics 313 Physics 352 Physics 370 Physics 473 |
Critical Nexus needed to unlock several required classes |
| Physics 352 Advanced Electronics | Physics 350 Physics 373 |
||
| Physics 370 Astrophysics | Physics 225 Physics 373 |
||
| Physics 421 Quantum Mechanics I | Physics 306 Physics 225 Math 331 |
||
| Physics 422 Quantum Mechanics II | Physics 421 Physics 314 |
||
| Physics 430 Advanced Lab | Physics 313 Physics 421(recommended) |
||
| Physics 450 Solid State | Physics 421 | ||
| Physics 473 Mathematical Methods II | Physics 373 Physics 225 Math 331 |
||
| Physics 573 Mathematical Methods III | Physics 473 Math 331 |