Semester Conversion
CSULA is converting from quarters to semesters. Our last term on the quarter-based calendar is Spring 2016
and our first term on the semester-based calendar is Fall 2016, with Fall semester classes beginning on Monday,
August 22, 2016. This page provides links to resources about semesters and the conversion process as well as
about the new semester-based degree programs in Physics
For general information about the conversion from quarter to semester look at this document:
http://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Semester%20Conversion/publications/semester_conversion
_handbook.pdf
For those students who have started or will start taking physics classes at CSULA prior to Fall 2016 we
generally advise you to stay with the Quarter system Physics degree requirements, whether undergraduate or
graduate. We also suggest that if possible you try to complete any required sequence of Physics classes, such as
PHYS 211 – 214, or PHYS 410A, 410B before Fall 2016.
To look at the new SEMESTER system Physics degree programs follow this link :
http://ecatalog.calstatela.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=11&ent_oid=533&returnto=778
Then click on the degree program of interest that appears lower down in the page. To view the new semester
course descriptions click on the course names that will then appear:
To see the same information for the current QUARTER system programs go to:
http://ecatalog.calstatela.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=19&ent_oid=1038&returnto=1799.
The following list provides information as to how the new Semester classes will combine with Quarter classes
that you will have completed before Fall, 2016. This list tells you what classes to take next if you have not
completed a sequence of Quarter system classes or what to take if there is no class listed for the Semester
programs that is equivalent to a class required under the Quarter system.
Lower Division
Physics
1)If you have completed PHYS 101 then you have met the requirement for PHYS 1100.
2) If you have completed PHYS 101 and 102 then you have met the requirement for PHYS 1100.
3) If you have completed PHYS 101,102 and 103 then you have met the requirements for PHYS 1100 and
1200.
General Physics
1) If you have completed PHYS 211 successfully (for physics majors this means with a grade of C or better)
then you have met the requirement for PHYS 2100.
2) If you have completed PHYS 211 and 212 successfully then you have met the requirement for PHYS 2100.
3) If you have completed PHYS 211, 212 and 213 successfully then you have met the requirements for PHYS
2100 and 2200.
4) If you have completed PHYS 214 then take PHYS 2300.
5) If you have completed PHYS 214 and 306 successfully then you have met the requirement for PHYS 2300.
Chemistry
1) If you have completed CHEM 101 successfully then you have met the requirement for CHEM 1100.
2) If you have completed CHEM 101 and 102 successfully then you have met the requirement for CHEM 1100.
3) If you have completed CHEM 101, 102 and 103 successfully then you have met the requirements for CHEM
1100 and 1110.
Mathematics
1)If you have completed MATH 206 or not completed MATH 206 take MATH 2110.
2) If you have completed MATH 206 and 207 successfully then you have met the requirements for MATH
2110.
3) If you have completed MATH 206, 207 and 208 successfully then you have met the requirements for MATH
2110 and 2120.
4) If you have completed MATH 206, 207, 208 and 209 then you have met the requirements for MATH 2110,
2120 and 2130.
Upper Division
1) If you have not taken PHYS 410A then take MATH 2150.
2) If you have taken PHYS 410A and PHYS 410B or you have taken PHYS 410A but not PHYS 410B you do
not need to take MATH 2150.
3) If you have taken PHYS 470 but not PHYS 471 you do not need to take PHYS 4700
4) To complete the rest of the Quarter system degree requirements take the related semester classes that you
have not yet taken. For example if by Fall, 2016 you have not taken PHYS 425A then you need to take PHYS
4251. To complete the required number of equivalent quarter units and quarter system elective requirements
with the new semester system classes meet with Drs. Taylor or Epstein to decide which electives to take.
M.S. Degree
1) If you have taken PHYS 510A but not PHYS 510B you must take PHYS 5102. The rest of the new graduate
semester classes align closely with the old quarter system classes so item 4) for Upper Division applies here as
well.