Prospective Students

Through classes, labs and research, Physical Sciences students become trained quantitative and analytical reasoners, problem solvers and critical thinkers. Whether your specialty is in the applied or theoretical mathematics and sciences, employers in every area are looking for the qualities that you refine while you study Physical Sciences here at UCI. You will become an expert in science and logic. Because of the influence of math and science in all specialties, Physical Sciences graduates pursue working careers, graduates schools and professional schools across the entire spectrum of career paths.

Chemistry Earth and Environmental Sciences, B.S. Earth and Environmental Studies, B.A. Mathematics Physics

The major in Chemistry is elected by students planning careers in the chemical sciences and frequently also by those whose interests lie in biology, medicine, earth sciences, secondary education, business, and law. The curriculum of the Department is designed to satisfy the diverse needs of these students and others who may have occasion to study chemistry. The year course Chemistry 1A-B-C (or the Honors sequence Chemistry H2A-B-C) is prerequisite to all study in the Department at more advanced levels. The subject matter of this course serves also as a thorough introduction to the varied aspects of modern chemistry for students who do not wish to pursue their studies beyond the introductory level. Students who plan to enroll in general chemistry at UCI have four possible choices for their first chemistry lecture course. A placement test result is NOT needed to enroll in Chemistry 1A or 1P. 1) Chemistry 1A: The usual entry point is Chemistry 1A. Students who have had one year of high school chemistry will normally take the Chemistry 1ABC sequence (with accompanying labs Chemistry 1LB-LC) starting with Chemistry 1A. 2) Chemistry 1B: Students who receive a 4 or 5 on the Chemistry AP exam have course credit for Chemistry 1A and enroll in Chemistry 1B. However, Chemistry majors must take Chemistry M2LA in the fall quarter before enrolling in Chemistry 1B and Chemistry M2LB in the winter quarter. 3) Chemistry H2A (and H2LA): This class is the Honors version of general chemistry. It covers the same material as Chemistry 1A, but in more depth and with more complex examples. Students admitted to the Campuswide Honors Program must enroll in this course. Students who receive a 4 or 5 on the AP exam, or a 700 or above on the Chemistry Subject Test will be allowed to enroll in the course, space permitting. Although not required, it is also advisable for students to have had a year of high school physics, and be ready for at least Mathematics 2A (first quarter calculus). 4) Chemistry 1P: This class prepares students for the Chemistry 1ABC sequence. Students taking this course must earn a “C” grade or above to move on to Chemistry 1A. Chemistry 1P is meant for students who have not taken a high school chemistry course. It may also be taken by students who need help with algebraic problem solving or otherwise are convinced that their high school preparation is not adequate. Completion of a one-year sequence in organic chemistry, either Chemistry 51A-B-C or H52A-B-C, is required for Chemistry majors and for students of the life sciences. Certain advanced courses required of Chemistry majors may also be of interest to others. The undergraduate program of the Chemistry Department emphasizes close contact with research. Chemistry majors are urged to engage in research or independent study under the direction of a faculty member. A handout describing the procedures for arranging an undergraduate research opportunity is available from the Chemistry Undergraduate Program Office, 1101 Natural Sciences II. Much of the important chemical literature is being and has been printed in foreign languages, principally German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and French. Reading competence in one or more of these languages is desirable, and Chemistry majors are encouraged to acquire this competence. Chemistry majors who are interested in teaching chemistry at the secondary level are urged to consider completing the optional concentration in Chemistry Education. A two-year post-baccalaureate program for the M.S. in Chemistry and a California Secondary Teaching Credential is available at UCI. Chemistry majors who plan subsequent study in medical, dental, or other professional schools should request information concerning admission requirements directly from the schools which they seek to enter. Counseling about preparation for a career in the health sciences is provided by the health science advisors in the School of Biological Sciences. Those intending to pursue graduate studies in chemistry should discuss their plans with a faculty member no later than the fall quarter of their senior year.

The Earth and Environmental Sciences, B.S. major prepares students to understand the rapidly evolving field of Earth System Science. Students work with faculty and graduate students to obtain a quantitative understanding of the Earth system. Both the major and the minor consist of a set of required core courses and a group of elective courses drawn from offerings in Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Social Ecology. The core courses provide a broad scientific foundation of the physical, chemical, and biological principles needed to understand the complex interactions of the atmosphere, ocean, and land that drive the Earth's climate and biogeochemical cycles. Majors develop the analytical and quantitative skills needed to understand sensitive environmental issues. In their junior and senior years, ESS students are encouraged to focus on a particular area within Earth System Science and to choose electives within ESS and campuswide that build a coherent core of knowledge. Focus areas include but are not limited to climatology, biogeochemical cycles, oceanography, hydrology, terrestrial sciences, atmospheric sciences, environmental policy and planning, and resource management. Alternatively, the focus could be on chemical, physical, or biological processes across these disciplines. This flexible program is designed to accommodate the particular interests of each student. Majors are encouraged to become directly involved in scientific research working with a faculty member by taking Earth System Science 199 for several quarters. The program ideally prepares students to go on to graduate school to programs in the physical or biological sciences. Students who intend to eventually gain a PhD and become research scientists or university faculty will gain a broad, solid foundation in the physical and biological subfields of Earth System Science. The focus of this program is at large spatial scales (regional to global) and on relatively long timescales (decades to centuries to glacial cycles). There is an emphasis on the natural physical climate and biogeochemical systems and their interactions within the Earth System. Global environmental problems are addressed, such as the emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, and how these emissions are altering physical climate and biogeochemical cycling on Earth. The minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is open to all students (except Earth and Environmental Sciences and Earth and Environmental Studies majors), but it is primarily designed for students in the natural sciences and engineering who wish to explore interdisciplinary problems and broaden their studies to include the application of their fields to understanding the Earth system.

The Earth and Environmental Studies, B.A. program is designed to prepare students to enter graduate programs focused on environmental issues or to directly enter the workforce in areas such as environmental consulting, environmental regulation, and environmental policy and planning. Students interested in human impacts on the environment who wish to work in these environmental fields will gain a solid foundation in the Earth system and its subcomponents, learn about human impacts on the environment, and the social, economic, and political factors that influence human-environment interactions. The focus of this program is often at smaller spatial scales (local to regional) and shorter timescales (years to decades). The emphasis is on human-environment interactions over these scales. Local, regional, and global-scale environmental problems are addressed from global warming to pollution of local ocean waters.

The major in Mathematics prepares students to understand the fundamental mathematical tools that apply to the wide array of statistical, business, economic, financial, engineering, biological, physical and natural sciences. The undergraduate program covers the theories and applications of calculus, linear and abstract algebra, analysis and differential equations, numerical methods, probability and statistics, number theory and logic, and geometry and topology. This knowledge is paramount to the study of many disciplines, making the study of mathematics a truly interdisciplinary one. Students can then choose from many electives to concentrate or specialize in statistics, economics, applied and computational math, or education during their junior and senior years. These upper-division classes are largely based on theoretical and applied analyses and techniques. In some courses, a numerical component is also incorporated. The number of courses offered allows for great flexibility. In addition, students may also elect a more theory-based curriculum that prepares for graduate level work in mathematics. The minor in mathematics is open to all students (except mathematics majors) wishing to explore mathematical science. Students wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the theories of their major discipline often choose to pursue the minor.

The major in Physics serves to develop expert problem solvers with a broad understanding of physical principles. The program is flexible and prepares students for careers in industrial research, applications programming, education, law, or business, as well as for graduate study in astronomy, biomedical physics, engineering, or physics. Annual mandatory meetings with faculty advisors assist students in selecting a program that matches their aptitudes and interests. In addition to the core Physics courses, students complete either a standard track (such as the track for future Ph.D. physicists), or one of the formal concentrations or specializations (in Applied Physics, Biomedical Physics, Computational Physics, Philosophy of Physics, Physics Education, or Astrophysics). In addition, Physics majors may find the minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, offered by the Department of Earth System Science, to be of interest.