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Physics B.A. - Astronomy

The astronomy concentration provides a thorough study of astronomy and astrophysics as well as a solid background in physics and mathematics. Graduates from this program have gone on to graduate programs in astronomy and astrophysics while others have found career opportunities at national astronomical observatories.

Bachelor of Arts - Physics; Astronomy Concentration

College of Humanities & Sciences

Degree Specific Credits: 69

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Catalog Year: 2020-21

General Education Requirements

Information regarding these requirements can be found in the General Education Section of the catalog.

Summary

Lower-Division Physics Core

10

Lower-Division Astronomy Core

4

Upper-Division Physics Core

12

Upper-Division Astronomy Core

9

Major Electives

12

Physics Electives

Physics Laboratory Electives

Math Requirements

16

Computer Science Electives

3

Advanced College Writing Requirement

3

Total Hours

69


Lower-Division Physics Core

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following Physics sequences:

10

Algebra- and Trigonometry-based Physics:

PHSX 205N
& PHSX 206N

College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory

PHSX 207N
& PHSX 208N

College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory

Calculus-based Physics (strongly recommended):

PHSX 215N
& PHSX 216N

Fund of Physics w/Calc I
and Physics Laboratory I w/Calc

PHSX 217N
& PHSX 218N

Fund of Physics w/Calc II
and Physics Laboratory II w/Calc

Total Hours

10

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Lower-Division Astronomy Core

Rule: Complete all of the courses in one of the two options. 4 total credits required.

Astronomy Core: Option 1

Code

Title

Hours

If option 1 is chosen, complete all of the following courses:

ASTR 132N

Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe

3

ASTR 135N

Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe Lab

1

Total Hours

4

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Astronomy Core: Option 2

Code

Title

Hours

If option 2 is chosen, complete the following course:

ASTR 142N

The Evolving Universe

4

Total Hours

4

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper-Division Physics Core

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

PHSX 301

Intro Theoretical Physics

3

PHSX 311

Oscillations and Waves

2

PHSX 343

Modern Physics

3

PHSX 461

Quantum Mechanics I

3

PHSX 499

Senior Capstone Seminar

1

Total Hours

12

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Upper-Division Astronomy Core

Note: In addition, ASTR 351 and ASTR 362 are recommended.

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

ASTR 353

Galactic Astrophysics

3

ASTR 363

Stellar Astr & Astrophys I

3

ASTR 365

Stellar Ast & Astrophys II

3

Total Hours

9

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Major Electives

Rule: Complete the following subcategories of courses. 12 total credits required.

Physics Electives

Code

Title

Hours

Complete three of the following courses:

9

ASTR 351

Planetary Science

PHSX 320

Classical Mechanics

PHSX 327

Optics

PHSX 333

Computational Physics

PHSX 423

Electricity & Magnetism I

PHSX 425

Electricity & Magnetism II

PHSX 446

Thermodyn & Stat Mech

PHSX 451

Elementary Particle Physics

PHSX 462

Quantum Mechanics II

PHSX 491

Special Topics

Total Hours

9

Minimum Required Grade: C-

Physics Laboratory Electives

Code

Title

Hours

Complete one of the following laboratory courses:

3

ASTR 362

Observational Astronomy

PHSX 323

Intermediate Physics Lab

PHSX 444

Advanced Physics Lab

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Math Requirements

Note: In addition, M 317, M 412, and M 418 are recommended.

Code

Title

Hours

Complete all of the following courses:

M 171

Calculus I

4

M 172

Calculus II

4

M 221

Introduction to Linear Algebra

4

M 273

Multivariable Calculus

4

Total Hours

16

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Computer Science Electives

Code

Title

Hours

Select one of the following courses:

3

CSCI 100

Intro to Programming

CSCI 150

Introduction to Computer Science

CSCI 151

Interdisciplinary Computer Science I

PHSX 333

Computational Physics (strongly recommended)

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-


Advanced College Writing Requirement

Note: May substitute another advanced writing course as approved by the department chair.

Code

Title

Hours

Complete the following course:

PHSX 330

Communicating Physics

3

Total Hours

3

Minimum Required Grade: C-