Declaring Your Major
Students must complete BOTH of the following steps to declare their major.
1. Please create your academic plan, and schedule a meeting with your major advisor, Christian Sanchez.
2. After you've met with your major advisor, make an appointment with your faculty mentor.
Science Education majors must meet with Onuttom to setup their academic plans.
- Onuttom Narayan - Schedule an appointment
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
- Connie Rockosi - Schedule an appointment
3. Submit your petition to declare your major in Physics on your MyUCSC.
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, Phys 5B, and Phys 5C 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.
Students with 2.67 GPA Probation Process
For students with 2.67 GPA, there is a standard probation process. Students can take Physics 5D in the fall and can get a grade of B or better, they will be considered eligible to declare physics. If they get a grade of B- or lower, they will not be eligible, but would still be able to appeal the disqualification.
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.
