Waitlist Policy

Several of the department's degree programs require multiple years of upper division courses, for which the PHYS 16x Physics with Calculus sequence is a critical foundation. 

This means that difficulty accessing the PHYS 16x Physics with Calculus sequence can significantly impact a physics or geophysics major’s ultimate time to degree. 

This is further complicated by the fact that many students completing non-physics majors often wait until later in their degree path to take the PHYS 16x sequence, at which point they will have higher registration priority than early physics & geophysics majors.  

To alleviate this situation, the department may increase the priority of students in the following categories on waitlists for PHYS 16x, 2xx, and 3xx courses (categories listed in declining priority): declared Physics & Geophysics majors; Physics & Astronomy Interest students; declared Physics & Astronomy minors. Students in the same category will receive priority in order of their request/waitlist position.