Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Physics, B.A.

Four-Year Academic Map 2024-2025

This is a sample academic plan for students entering on the 2024-2025 catalog. Students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registration to formulate their own plan. Please tap the button following each course to view course description and prerequisites or see the UH Hilo Catalog for more course information.

This academic plan is for students who place into MATH 241 or higher. Students who place into a lower Math course will have additional coursework. Please contact your advisor.

Year 1: Fall Semester

Course Credit
MATH 241 (FQ: Quantitative Reasoning) 4
NS Elective I See note 4 (Rec: ASTR 180 ) 3
Elective (Rec: ASTR 180L ) 1
ENG 100 (FW: Written Communication) 3
NS Elective II See note 4 (Rec: CHEM 161 or PHYS 151 ) 3
Elective (Rec: CHEM 161L or PHYS 151L ) 1
Credits 15

Year 1: Spring Semester

Course Credit
PHYS 170 (DP: Physical Science) 4
MATH 242 (GQR: Quantitative Reasoning) 4
CS 172 (Fall) See note 5 3
DB: Biological Science (Rec: ASTR 150 ) 3
Credits 14

Year 2: Fall Semester

Course Credit
PHYS 272 4
PHYS 170L See note 6 (DY: Science Laboratory) 1
MATH 243 3
MATH 300 See note 9 3
WI Elective (Rec: ENG 225 ) 3
Credits 14

Year 2: Spring Semester

Course Credit
PHYS 274 3
PHYS 272L See note 6 1
MATH 244 3
PHYS 260 3
PHYS 260L 1
NS Elective III See note 4 (Rec: ASTR 181 , ASTR 250 or GEOL 111 ) 3
Credits 14

Year 3: Fall Semester

Course Credit
PHYS 341 3
PHYS 331 or PHYS 371 (even year) See note 7 3
FGA, FGB or FGC: Global Multicultural Perspectives I 3
DA, DH or DL: Arts, Humanities, Literature I 3
GE HPP (Rec: HWST 211 or HWST 213 (DH: Humanities)) 3
Credits 15

Year 3: Spring Semester

Course Credit
PHYS 330 (even year) or PHYS 430 (odd year) See note 7 3
MATH 211 3
GL: Language Arts 3
FGA, FGB or FGC: Global Multicultural Perspectives II 3
WI Elective 1
WI Upper Elective 3
Credits 16

Year 4: Fall Semester

Course Credit
PHYS 495A 1
PHYS 331 or PHYS 371 (even year) See note 7 3
PHYS/ASTR Upper Elective See note 8 3
DS: Social Science I 3
DA, DH or DL: Arts, Humanities, Literature II 3
Upper Elective (Rec: ASTR 350-350L ) 4
Credits 17

Year 4: Spring Semester

Course Credit
PHYS 495B 1
PHYS 430 (odd year) or PHYS 330 (even year) See note 7 3
PHYS/ASTR Upper Elective See note 8 3
GE GCC 3
DS: Social Science II 3
Upper Elective (Rec: ASTR 351-351L ) 3
Credits 16

Notes

  1. Students must earn at least a 2.0 GPA in courses required for the major.
  2. At least 36 credits must be earned in courses at the 300- or 400- level.
  3. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their advisors regarding Natural Science elective courses appropriate to their career aspirations.
  4. Take an additional 9 credits in Natural Science Electives. See the UH Hilo Catalog for complete list.
  5. CS 172 is offered only in the Fall.
  6. PHYS 170L is currently offered in Fall semesters and PHYS 272L is offered in the Spring semesters.
  7. PHYS 330 is only offered in the Spring on even numbered years, PHYS 430 is only offered in the Spring on odd numbered years and PHYS 371 is only offered in the Fall on even numbered years. Please see your advisor to plan accordingly.
  8. Take an additional 6 credits in select PHYS and ASTR courses (and a few other subjects) at the 300- or 400- level. See the UH Hilo Catalog for complete list.
  9. MATH 300 is currently a Fall-only course, which may change. Please see your advisor to plan accordingly.