Review the General Catalog, especially the sample academic plans and major qualification policy.
Complete the Math Preparation and placement process. You can review your math skills for free to prepare you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to be posted in your student record. Completing the assessment by August 1 will ensure your placement is posted before enrollment begins for fall.
If you have a score of 5 on the AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism:
The highest course in the following sequence that you are eligible for: MATH 2, MATH 3, MATH 19A, MATH 19B, MATH 23A, MATH 23B. Physics students should not take MATH 11A or MATH 11B.
If you do not have a score of 5 on the AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism, but have credit for MATH 19B, PHYS 5A, and PHYS 5L:
The highest course in the following sequence that they are eligible for: MATH 23A or MATH 23B. Physics students should not take MATH 11A or MATH 11B.
PHYS 5N (Enroll in this lab section first. You cannot enroll in the lecture until you have successfully enrolled in the corequisite lab section.)
PHYS 5C
If you do not have a score of 5 on the AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism examination but you have credit for MATH 19A:
MATH 19B
PHYS 5L (Enroll in this lab section first. You cannot enroll in the lecture until you have successfully enrolled in the corequisite lab section.)
PHYS 5A
If you do not have a score of 5 on the AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism examination and do not have credit for MATH 19A:
The highest course in the following sequence that you are eligible for: MATH 2, MATH 3, MATH 19A, MATH 19B, MATH 23A, MATH 23B. Physics students should not take MATH 11A or MATH 11B.
Additional considerations when developing your first quarter enrollment plan can be found in the First Quarter Enrollment Advising Guide 2025-26.
Physics Advising
(831) 459-1347 or physicsadvising@ucsc.edu
211A Interdisciplinary Sciences Bldg.