Course Curriculum
The Physics Department offers an outstanding course curriculum. We recommend that you acquaint yourself with the course offerings before choosing classes.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Physics Student Services Office. Instructor assignments are subject to change. Please check the online schedule of classes on a regular basis for updates. Compare programs and find detailed degree requirements on the Office of the Registrar's website.
If you are an incoming or prospective transfer student, visit our Transfer Students page to learn more about course recommendations and program offerings.
Course Descriptions
To view course descriptions for undergraduate and graduate Physics courses, please visit the Academic Catalog.
Berkeley Class Schedule
To view all course offerings for a given semester, please visit the Berkeley Class Schedule
Undergraduate Upper Division Electives
Upper division electives are typically taken in the final year. Many electives require other upper division courses as prerequisites. Prereuqisites can be found in the Undergraduate Course Catalog. Not all elective courses are offered every semester. The live Elective List (Google Doc) is maintained with the latest updates. Typically offered in Fall:
- Physics 129 - Particle Physics
- Physics 141A - Solid State Physics
- Physics C191A - Introduction to Quantum Computing I
- Physics 188 - Bayesian Data Analysis and Machine Learning for Physical Sciences
Typically offered in Spring:
- Physics 110B - Electromagnetism and Optics
- Physics 130 - Quantum and Nonlinear Optics or 138 - Modern Atomic Physics
- Physics 139 - Special Relativity and General Relativity
- Physics 141A - Solid State Physics
- Physics 141B - Solid State Physics
- Physics 142 - Introduction to Plasma Physics
- Physics C161 - Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology
- Physics 177 - Principles of Molecular Biophysics
- Physics C191B - Introduction to Quantum Computing II
Additional courses:
Note: These courses may be offered in fall or spring, or not at all.
- Physics 151 - Elective Physics: Special Topics
- Physics C180 - Order-of-Magnitude Physics
5 vs 7 Series for Undergraduates
To decide whether the Physics 5-Series or Physics 7-Series is a better fit for you, please review our The Physics 5 and Physics 7 Series: Which One is Right For Me? resource guide.
Graduate Courses
Core Course Requirements:
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Physics 209 Classical Electromagnetism (offered fall only)
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Physics 221A Quantum Mechanics (offered fall only)
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Physics 211 Equilibrium Statistical Physics (offered spring only)
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Physics 221B Quantum Mechanics (offered spring only)
Elective Course Requirements:
19 units (five semester courses) of approved upper division or graduate elective courses are required for the PhD degree. At least 11 units must be in the 200 series courses. Some of the 19 elective units could include courses in mathematics, biophysics, astrophysics, or from other science and engineering departments. Physics 290, 295, 299, 301, and 602 are excluded from the 19 elective units.
If a student has taken courses equivalent to Physics 209, 211 or 221A-221B, then a waiver may be granted for each of these course requirements. Course waiver information is sent by the Graduate Student Services team at the beginning of each semester.
Department Policies
Course Time ConflictsThe Physics Department does not permit time conflicts for any undergraduate students and will not approve override requests.
Discussion Section SwitchesThe Physics Department will not perform manual discussion section switches for students; we do not have the resources to accommodate these requests. Students must use CalCentral to perform the switch on their own.