Advising

Make Every Semester Count

Seek advising regularly. Meeting with an academic advisor at San Francisco State University is essential to staying on track with your academic goals.

Whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student, advisors help you navigate course selection, degree requirements, and career planning, ensuring you make informed decisions about your academic path.

Advising Resources

Use the table below to guide you to the best advising resource based on your needs.

Advising NeedAdvisor Recommendation

Undergraduate Students:

  • Choosing courses/degree planning for general education, major, minor, and certificates
  • Understanding transfer credits
  • Graduation check
  • Academic success strategies
  • Academic notice and clearing holds
  • Exploring options for majors, minors, and certificates
  • Petition of study abroad courses for general education
  • Referrals to campus resources
  • Academic policy inquiries and assistance with appeal forms

Academic Advisors at the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC)

OR

For EOPP Students - Academic Advisors from the Educational Opportunity and Pathway Programs (EOPP)

 

Undergraduate and Second Baccalaureate Students:

  • Selection of appropriate major/minor/certificate courses based on career and professional goals
  • Course substitutions and exceptions for major/minor/certificate
  • Opportunities for research or teaching assistantships
  • Mentorship, careers, internships, and graduate school preparation
  • Approval of study abroad courses for major/minor
  • Requests and approvals for forms requiring major advisor approval

See your Physics and Astronomy Faculty Major Advisor.

 

  • Requests and approvals for forms requiring department chair approval
  • Request meeting with department chair

Physics and Astronomy Department Office
Email: physics@sfsu.edu
Location: TH 334

 

  • Information about Study Abroad opportunities and application process/timelines

See Study Abroad as the first step

 

Graduate/Second Baccalaureate Students:

  • General advising questions (petitions, policies/procedures, registration, and academic notice)
Division of Graduate Studies & Career Development Advising
Email: gradstudies@sfsu.edu
Phone: (415) 338-2234
Location: ADM 254 (8:00 am – 4:30 pm)

Graduate Students:

  • Graduate student course planning, academic advising, Advancement to Candidacy, and Graduate Student Culminating Experience

Astronomy Graduate Coordinator: Adrienne Cool

Physics Graduate Coordinator: Maarten Golterman

 

Undergraduate Advising

All undergraduate students are encouraged to meet with a Physics and Astronomy Faculty Major Advisor at least once yearly to support their academic study of physics and astronomy and facilitate timely graduation.  If problems or challenges arise, please do reach out for more frequent advising meetings so that we may facilitate connecting you with guidance and resources. The department will assign Physics and Astronomy Faculty Major Advisors to all students. If you do not know who your Faculty Major Advisor is, please email physics@sfsu.edu.

Advising FAQ

Department offerings in Spring 2027


Primarily undergraduate:

PHYS 220/222, 230/232, 240/242 – General Physics w/ Calculus I, II, III 
ASTR 300: Stars, Planets & the Milky Way 
PHYS 360: Electromagnetism I 
PHYS 370: Thermodynamics

 

Advanced undergraduate/general electives for graduate:

ASTR 405: Exoplanetary Science 
ASTR 498: Astronomy Research Literature 
ASTR 470: Observational Techniques 
PHYS 4040: High Energy Physics (CSPU Pomona via CSU Fully Online)

 

Graduate:

ASTR 742: Galaxies & Cosmology 
PHYS 706: Quantum Mechanics 
PHYS 712: Plasma Physics

 

Special notes and suggested substitutions:

GWAR in 2026-2027:  All upper-division students are REQUIRED to take one GWAR class in order to graduate. Our department offers two:  PHYS 491GW: Advanced Experimental Techniques I in fall semesters and ASTR 340GW: The Big Bang in spring semesters.

HOWEVER, ASTR 340GW WILL NOT BE OFFERED IN SPRING 2027!  It will indeed return next year in Spring 2028.  If you are an astro student graduating in May 2028 or later, you must wait and take ASTR 340GW next year in Spring 2028.

But if you are an astro SENIOR (will be graduating in May 2027 or December 2027), and if you still have not yet taken ASTR 340GW, you will need to substitute a different GWAR class so you can graduate. If you took PHYS 491GW this fall, you are all set.  However, you may consider a GWAR class in a related field:
ENV 500GW, ERTH 600GW, MATH 300GW, or MATH 301GW. But if you are graduating in May 2028 or later, you must wait to take ASTR 340GW in Spring 2028. Note, if you decide to take ENV 500GW, there are 2 sections: the MW section is just for Environmental Studies & Geography students; the TTH section is open to students of other majors and will have more background information to get you up to speed.

PHYS 457: Analog Electronics will *not* be offered this academic year.  This is a required course for the B.S. Physics degree.  Instead, you should substitute ENGR 205 & 206: Electric Circuits (and lab).  This can be taken in fall or spring semesters after you have completed PHYS 230 & MATH 245.  Other phys/astro majors/concentrations may take these courses as electives in the major.

Computer programming: All students should complete a computer programming class, preferably BEFORE the start of junior year, but junior fall is also okay too.  Note that *all* physics & astronomy majors (all degrees, all concentrations) who entered SF State in Fall 2024 onward will be required to take computer programming as part of their major degree requirements. There are two options:
MATH 209: Mathematical Computing will be offered MW 9:30-10:45.
CSC 309: Computer Programming will not be offered this spring, but it will return in Fall 2027.

PHYS 4040: Introduction to High Energy Physics (aka theoretical particle physics) (prerequisite PHYS 320 & 385), which is a new online course being offered by CSPU Pomona. It is a special ONLINE SYNCHRONOUS (T/Th 8:30-9:45) course open to ALL students within the CSU system. It will be taught by Prof. Shohreh Abdolrahimi.  You can enroll in this course after January 1 online via www.csufullyonline.com.

Electives in other departments: Students may also consider electives in other departments, especially MATH (300 and above), CHEM (300 and above), ERTH (400 and above), ENGR (300 and above).  If you would like to count a course in another department, you must first get approval from your Faculty Major Advisor!

I would like to draw your attention to a few electives in other departments that are especially relevant to physics & astronomy majors:
ERTH 500: Earth & Life Through Time
ENGR 205/205: Electric Circuits
ENGR 301: Microelectronics Lab
ENGR 353: Microelectronics
CSC 647: Quantum Computing & Quantum Information Science

Graduate Courses: Seniors are allowed to take graduate courses.  Consider:
ASTR 742: Galaxies & Cosmology - you should have grades of at least B in ASTR 300 & 400.
PHYS 706: Quantum Mechanics - you should have grades of at least B in PHYS 430 & 480.
PHYS 712: Plasma Physics - you should have grades of at least B in PHYS 370 & 480.

If you take a graduate class in your senior year, and if you do not need the course to complete your undergraduate degree (that is, it is “extra” and not needed for electives), then you can “save” the course and transfer it over to a graduate degree if you decide to enter the M.S. Physics or M.S. Astronomy & Astrophysics later!  So this is a way to get a jump-start on a graduate degree!

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or your Faculty Major Advisor if you have any questions about progress toward your degrees!

Department offerings in Fall 2026

Primarily undergraduate:

  • ASTR 115/116: Introduction to Astronomy, lecture & lab
  • PHYS 101/102: Conceptual Physics, lecture & lab
  • PHYS 111/112, 121/122: General Physics I, II, lectures & labs
  • PHYS 200: Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major
  • PHYS 220/222, 230/232, 240/242: General Physics w/ Calculus I, II, III, lectures & labs
  • ASTR 301: Observational Astronomy Lab
  • PHYS 320: Modern Physics I
  • PHYS 321: Modern Physics Lab
  • PHYS 330: Analytic Mechanics
  • PHYS 385: Intro. Theoretical Physics

Advanced undergraduate/general electives for graduate:

  • ASTR 400: Stellar Astrophysics
  • PHYS 430: Quantum Mechanics I
  • PHYS 480: Optics & Photonics
  • PHYS 491GW: Advanced Laboratory Techniques I

Graduate:

  • ASTR 700: Stellar Astrophysics
  • ASTR 722: Radiative Processes for Astrophysics
  • PHYS 701: Classical Mechanics
  • PHYS 775: Statistical Mechanics
  • PHYS 885: Inclusive Pedagogy for the Physical Sciences

Special notes and suggested substitutions

PHYS 200: Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major: ALL​ new students (first-years and transfers) are REQUIRED​ to take this seminar.  It is offered Mondays, 2:00-2:50.

PHYS 457: Analog Electronics will not be offered in 2026-2027.  This is required course for the B.S. Physics degree.  Instead, you should substitute ENGR 205 & 206: Electric Circuits (lecture & lab).  This can be taken in fall or spring semesters.  It can be taken as early as sophomore year (after PHYS 230/232, MATH 245 may be taken concurrently), but ideally should be completed no later than spring of junior year.

PHYS 460: Electromagnetism II will not be offered in 2026-2027.  This is required for the B.S. Physics degree. Students should instead enroll in PHYS 480: Optics & Introduction to Photonics, which will only be offered in the fall.  This is also a FANTASTIC elective in the major for *all* physics & astronomy degree programs!  Optics is foundational to all modern physics! I strongly encourage all seniors (physics AND astro students) to consider taking this course with Prof. Weining Man. Prerequisites are PHYS 320 & 360.

PHYS 491GW (3 units, Fall): Advanced Experimental Techniques I.  This course is REQUIRED in the final year of the non-astro B.A./B.S. Physics degrees.  All physics SENIORS (students planning on graduating in the next year) MUST enroll in PHYS 491GW. It is *only* offered in the fall semester.  Astronomy & astrophysics students are not required to take this but may elect to do so as a major elective.  This is a great course to get rigorous training in experimental physics techniques.  It is also being taught by Prof. Weining Man.

GWAR in 2026-2027:  All upper-division students are REQUIRED to take one GWAR class in order to graduate. Our department offers two:  PHYS 491GW: Advanced Experimental Techniques I in fall semesters and ASTR 340GW: The Big Bang in spring semesters.

HOWEVER, ASTR 340GW WILL NOT BE OFFERED AT ALL NEXT YEAR!  It will indeed return in Spring 2028.  If you are an astro student graduating in May 2028 or later, you can take ASTR 340GW in your last semester.

But if you are an astro SENIOR (will be graduating in December 2026, May 2027 or December 2027), and if you still have not yet taken ASTR 340GW, you will need to substitute a different GWAR class so you can graduate. You should take PHYS 491GW THIS FALL.  Alternatively, you may consider a GWAR class in a related field: ENV 500GW, ERTH 600GW, MATH 300GW, or MATH 301GW. But if you are graduating in May 2028 or later, you can wait to take ASTR 340GW in Spring 2028.

CSC 309 or MATH 209: Python programming is now required by all degrees.  Either MATH 209 or CSC 309 satisfy the requirements for physics & astronomy majors.  In 2026-2027, CSC 309 will be offered only in fall, and MATH 209 will only be offered in spring.

PHYS 163: Introduction to Particle Physics (CSU Fresno – CSU ONLINE).  The course is online asynchronous with recorded lectures.  SF State students can enroll via CSU Fully Online. The scheduled times are *optional* office hours to answer students’ questions.  This course can be transferred to SF State and count as a major elective in any of our degree programs.  Prerequisites: PHYS 320.

Seniors are allowed to take graduate courses.  Consider:

PHYS 701: Classical Mechanics (Prof. John Brewer). Students should have at least grades of B in PHYS 320, 330 AND 385.

ASTR 722: Radiative Processes in Astrophysics (Prof. Oscar Macías). Students should have at least grades of B in PHYS 320, 360, AND 385; PHYS 480 strongly recommended concurrently.

PHYS 775: Statistical Mechanics (Prof. Maarten Golterman). Students should have at least grades of B in  PHYS 320, 370, AND 385.  PHYS 430 is strongly recommended concurrently.

If you take a graduate class in your senior year, and if you do not need the course to complete your undergraduate degree (that is, it is “extra” and not needed for electives), then you can “save” the course and transfer it over to a graduate degree if you decide to enter the M.S. Physics or M.S. Astronomy & Astrophysics later!  So this is a way to get a jump-start on a graduate degree!

Specific recommendations for your schedules by level & degree program for Fall 2026:

Lower-division students, all PHYS/ASTR majors/concentrations: Take PHYS 200: Planning for Success as a Physics & Astronomy Major if you have not already taken this class!  Continue the calculus (MATH 226, 227, 228, 245 (or 225 & 376)) and introductory physics sequences (PHYS 220/222, 230/232, 240/242).  You should complete these sequences BEFORE entering your final two years.  After you complete these sequences, it will take 2 more years to complete upper-division requirements.

Also take Python programming, MATH 209 or CSC 309, in your second year. Next year, Math 209 is offered only in spring, while CSC 309 is only offered in the fall.

Juniors (or students starting their second-to-last year):

Physics BA, BS: PHYS 320, 321, 385, 330 (330 can be taken now or in final year, especially if you are taking MATH 376 this semester)

Phys/Astro BA: PHYS 320, ASTR 301 (321, 385 or 330 are optional major electives)

Phys/Astro BS: PHYS 320, 330, 385, ASTR 301 (if you are taking MATH 376 this semester, you can delay 330 until your final year)

Astro majors - while you are not required to take PHYS 321: Modern Physics Lab, you are STRONGLY encouraged to do so!  It will count toward your major electives!  So PLEASE enroll!

Juniors – if you have not completed a python course, then you should either take CSC 309 in fall or MATH 209 in spring of junior year!

Seniors (or students in their final year):

Physics BA: PHYS 330 (if not already completed), PHYS 491GW, (PHYS 480 is not required but is a GREAT elective in the major and is strongly encouraged)

Physics BS: PHYS 330 (if not already completed), PHYS 430, 480 (instead of 460), 491GW

Physics BS (concentration in physics for teaching): PHYS 330 (if not already completed), PHYS 491GW, (PHYS 480 is not required but is a GREAT elective in the major and is strongly encouraged), E ED 655

Phys/Astro BA: electives in the major, ASTR 400 not required, but encouraged as elective in major; PHYS 480 is not required but is a GREAT elective in the major and is strongly encouraged, ERTH courses are especially encouraged

Phys/Astro BS: ASTR 400, PHYS 430, (PHYS 480 is not required but is a GREAT elective in the major and is strongly encouraged), ASTR 697 (senior project) [senior project can be taken in fall or spring, or spread out over both semesters. Be sure to discuss with your Faculty Major Advisor.]

Seniors – if you need another elective, consider PHYS 163: Introduction to Particle Physics offered by CSU Fresno through CSU Fully Online.  It is fully asynchronous, so it definitely can fit in your schedule!!

For major electives, you may take 300-level or higher courses in CHEM, ENGR, MATH or 400-level or higher courses in ERTH.   There are lots of great courses in these departments, so expand your horizons!

Looking forward to Spring 2027, we are anticipating offering all of the usual lower-division courses, plus ASTR 300, ASTR 470, ASTR 498/798, ASTR 742, PHYS 305, PHYS 360, PHYS 370, PHYS 706, PHYS 712.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Faculty Major Advisor if you have any questions about progress toward your degrees!

Students must demonstrate mastery of precalculus in order to enroll in PHYS 111. There are 3 pathways to do this (you only need one of these to be qualified for PHYS 111):

  • C-minus or better in MATH 198 (Prelude to Calculus II), MATH 199 (Pre-Calculus) or MATH 226 (Calculus I) or an equivalent course at another college or university. If you took any of these courses at SFSU, you are all set, you do not need to do anything else.  However, if you took the course at another university, please check your Degree Progress Report (DPR) to see whether the course is listed in your Transfer Credit Report.  If it is not showing as cleared on your Degree Progress Report, you will need to email transcripts directly to your instructor. Please note: "Business Math" or "Business Calculus" or statistics courses do NOT count.  College trigonometry & pre-calculus classes DO count.
  • A score of 3 or better on any A.P. Precalculus, A.P. Calculus, A.P. Physics, or A.P. Chemistry exam.  You can submit a screenshot of your Transfer Credit Report on your DPR if the scores are listed there, or submit a copy of your score report. Please email these to your instructor.
  • Completion of an online mini-course through ALEKS: "Math Prep for College Physics."  For Spring 2027, use class code UYMEQ-EXJ94.  This mini-course must be completed by 11:59 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8, 2027.  Students can purchase 6-week, 11-week, or 18-week access to the ALEKS mini-course for $26.25, $31.50, or $36.75, respectively. The certificate of completion for the online mini-course requires 95% completion of all sections and will qualify a student for enrollment in PHYS 111 for two years. If the certificate of completion will be older than two years on the first day of classes, the student must take the online mini-course again in order to be qualified for PHYS 111.