Course Registration FAQ

Physics (PHY) Courses

Moving Between Physics Series

1. How can I move from the PHY 7 series to PHY 9 series?
2. How can I move from the PHY 9 series to PHY 7 series?

Physics Credits and Exams

1. I need Physics for my major and I took some Physics at another institution. What Physics course should I take?
2. What Physics credits can I receive for my A-Level exams?

Physics PTA, Waitlist & Section Swap Procedures

1. I am on the waitlist for a PHY 7/9 section. How can I get a PTA?
2. I am registered for one section of PHY 7/9 but want to switch to another, how do I do this?

Physics 7

All PHY 7 courses have waitlists. Please register normally for your PHY 7 course when possible. 

1. I am repeating PHY 7. Do I need to retake the Discussion/Lab (D/L)?

Physics 9

Note for all answers below, PHY 9 does not include PHY 9D. All PHY 9 courses have waitlists. Please register normally for your PHY 9 course when possible. 

1. I am repeating PHY 9. Do I need to retake the Lab?
2. I took PHY 9HA, can I switch to the regular PHY 9 series?

Astronomy (AST) courses

1. I previously have taken a PHY 9 course. Can I take AST 10S or AST 10G?
2. I previously have taken a PHY 7 course. Can I take AST 10S or AST 10G?
3. I'm trying to add AST 10L or AST 25 and it says I need a PTA number. How can I acquire one?
4. I need a 1 unit course; can I take AST 10L without another AST course?
5. I previously have taken an AST course, can I also take AST 25?

Moving Between Physics Series

1. How can I move from the PHY 7 series to PHY 9 series?

Following PHY 9A, students will need to take PHY 7A, PHY 7B, and PHY 7C. They will receive only 2 units of credit for 7B.

Following PHY 9AB, students will need to take PHY 7B and PHY 7C. They will receive only 2 units of credit for 7B.

Following PHY 9AC, students will need to take PHY 7A and PHY 7C. They will receive only 2 units of credit for 7C.

Physics Credits and Exams

1. I need Physics for my major and I took some Physics at another institution. What Physics course should I take?

If these classes were taken at a community college, use Assist.org to check your PHY equivalency. If your Physics course at the CC articulates to the level of PHY 7 according to Assist.org and you seek to take PHY 9, you will need to take the entire PHY 9 series at UC Davis. If you transferred from a 4 year institution, you may need to have your courses verified by the Physics department through a Physics Equivalency Review request. All labs must be conducted in-person under instructor guidance in a classroom setting to qualify for an equivalency. 

2. What Physics credits can I receive for my A-Level exams?

If you passed your Physics A-level with an A, you may receive credit for Physics 1A and 1B. PHY 1A and PHY 1B does not apply to your degree requirement if you need the PHY 7 or 9 series.

Physics PTA, Waitlist & Section Swap Procedures

1. I am on the waitlist for a PHY 7/9 section. How can I get a PTA?

A PTA will not be granted to override prerequisites, waitlist or if you were dropped due to late payments. The Physics department freezes registration permanently for PHY 7/9 during the Registrar's Registration Freeze (See the Academic Calendar). Once registration has been frozen you need to attend all parts of the course, including Lecture, Discussion, Lab and Discussion/Lab (D/L). The D/L or Lab TA will issue PTA numbers to students if there is space. PTA numbers will not be issued before the beginning of the quarter. As a reminder, all PHY 7/9 courses are offered every quarter and both summer sessions at UCD. The PHY advisor and lecturer will not issue PTAs.

2. I am registered for one section of PHY 7/9 but want to switch to another, how do I do this?

Do not drop your registered section during Enrollment Freeze. You should speak with the D/L or Lab TA of the section you want to get into. If there is space, you will have to switch sections using the Course Section Switch Form. The TA of the section you want to switch into will sign as the instructor.

Physics 7

All PHY 7 courses have waitlists. Please register normally for your PHY 7 course when possible. Some Frequently Asked Questions regarding PHY 7 and registration are below.

1. I am repeating PHY 7. Do I need to retake the Discussion/Lab (D/L)?

Yes. You must retake all parts of PHY 7 if you are retaking the course.

Physics 9

Note for all answers below, PHY 9 does not include PHY 9D. Please register normally for your PHY 9 course when possible. Some Frequently Asked Questions regarding PHY 9 and registration are below.

1. I am repeating PHY 9. Do I need to retake the Lab?

You do not need to repeat the Lab portion of PHY 9 if you have received a Pass (P) or High Pass (HP) in the lab portion of the course within the past 2 years (Example: a lab grade received in Fall 2007 may be used in Fall 2009 but not Winter 2010). You must attend the first lab and let the TA know that you are repeating the course and using a Prior Lab Grade. After verification with the instructor in charge of PHY 9, you will not need to attend the lab portion of the course but must continue attending all other parts.

If you received a Low Pass (LP) or a No Pass (NP), you must repeat the lab.

2. I took PHY 9HA, can I switch to the regular PHY 9 series?

Yes. After taking PHY 9HA, you can continue switch to the PHY 9 series by taking PHY 9BCD. After 9HB, you cannot switch to the regular PHY 9 series and should complete the PHY 9 Honors series.

Astronomy (AST) courses

1. I previously have taken a PHY 9 course. Can I take AST 10S or AST 10G?

No. You cannot take AST 10S or AST 10G after you have taken any PHY 9 or PHY 9H, or upper division Physics course.

2. I previously have taken a PHY 7 course. Can I take AST 10S or AST 10G?

Yes. If you have taken any or all of the PHY 7 series, you can still take AST 10S or AST 10G. 

3. I'm trying to add AST 10L or AST 25 and it says I need a PTA number. How can I acquire one?

The Physics department freezes registration permanently for AST 10L and AST 25 during the Registrar's Registration Freeze (See the Academic Calendar for Dates). Once registration has been frozen, all students are required to attend the first Lab to ask the Lab TA for a PTA number. If there is space in the course, the TA will add you. No students will be added after the first Lab. The PHY advisor and lecturer will not issue PTAs.

4. I need a 1 unit course; can I take AST 10L without another AST course?

No. You must take AST 10S or AST 10G prior or concurrently with AST 10L.

5. I previously have taken an AST course, can I also take AST 25?

AST 25 is not open to students who have received credit for AST 10G or AST 10L. If you have taken AST 10S, you may take AST 25.