Declaring Your Major
Qualifying for the Major
Students who began their studies at UCSC in Fall 2009 or later must qualify to declare a Physics major.
To qualify for a Physics BS, Applied Physics BS, or Astrophysics BS, major students must complete PHYS 5A/15A, PHYS 5B, and PHYS 5C/15C (or their equivalents), with a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or greater.
NOTE: At least two of these three courses must be passed in the first attempt.
Students may petition to declare once they have successfully completed the courses required by the qualification policy.
Students who do not meet the qualification policy may appeal. For more information, visit our Appeal Process page.
Students with 2.67 GPA Probation Process
For students with 2.67 GPA, there is a standard probation process. Students who take PHYS 5D in the Fall quarter and get a grade of B or better will be considered eligible to declare a Physics major. Students who receive a grade of B- or lower will not be eligible, but will still be able to appeal the disqualification.
Declaring the Major
Students must complete ALL of the following steps to declare their major.
Applied Physics, Astrophysics, Physics
1. Draft your academic plan.
2. Schedule a meeting with the major advisor (physicsadvising@ucsc.edu).
3. After you’ve met with your major advisor, make an appointment with your faculty mentor.
- Physics and Applied Physics majors can choose a faculty mentor from the following list:
- Onuttom Narayan – Schedule an appointment
- Ryan Baumbach – Schedule an appointment
- Astrophysics majors can choose a faculty from the following list:
- David Smith – Schedule an appointment
- Rebecca Jensen-Clem – Schedule an appointment
4. Submit your petition in MyUCSC to declare your chosen major.
Science Education
1. Draft your academic plan.
2. Schedule a meeting with Onuttom Narayan to setup your academic plan.
- Onuttom Narayan – Schedule an appointment
3. Submit your petition in MyUCSC to declare your Science Education major.
Double Major Policy
Students interested in pursuing multiple majors within the physical sciences may NOT declare the following combination of majors:
- Physics & Applied Physics
- Physics & Physics (Astrophysics)
- Applied Physics & Physics (Astrophysics)
Should you choose to double major in two science majors, you must qualify for both majors.
Students electing a double major may not use the online petition to declare, but must make an appointment to meet with their major advisor.