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Bulletins

Astronomy and Astrophysics Major, B.A., B.S.

B.A. degree or B.S. degree 

This major is available for students with a particular interest in astronomy or astrophysics. This program provides the background desired by most astronomy graduate programs.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Several MTH courses are required as prerequisites for the physics courses listed below. Prospective majors are urged to begin their study of mathematics in the fall of the freshman year with MTH 132 (or MTH 130, if necessary), and to consult with a departmental advisor as soon as possible for help in scheduling additional MTH courses.

No more than 5 semester hours of credit taken on a credit/no credit basis may be counted toward the astronomy and astrophysics major. Since the department permits credit/no credit registration only for beginning physics courses, the restriction refers specifically to PHY 145QR and PHY 175.

Although not recommended, the following course substitutions can be allowed for a student who successfully completes PHY 247: PHY 130QR in place of PHY 145QR, PHY 131 for PHY 146, PHY 170 for PHY 175, PHY 171 for PHY 176.

Transfer students from two-year colleges can complete a major in Astronomy and Astrophysics in two additional years if they have satisfactorily completed a one-year course in calculus and a one-year course in general physics (preferably utilizing calculus). Transfer students should consult the chairperson of this department at their earliest opportunity, and in any case, prior to initial registration.

 
 

Program Requirements

Core Courses (36 hours)

PHY 145QRUniversity Physics I

4(4-0)

PHY 146University Physics II

4(4-0)

PHY 175University Physics Laboratory I

1(0-2)

PHY 176University Physics Laboratory II

1(0-2)

PHY 247QRIntroduction to Modern Physics

3(3-0)

PHY 277University Physics Laboratory III

1(0-3)

PHY 312Introduction to Mathematical Physics

3(3-0)

PHY 322Intermediate Mechanics

3(3-0)

PHY 332Electricity and Magnetism

3(3-0)

PHY 442Introductory Quantum Theory

4(4-0)

PHY 450Thermal Physics

3(3-0)

PHY 491WISenior Physics Project

3(Spec)

PHY 578WIExperimental Physics

3(1-5)

Required Courses (15 hours)

AST 260General Astronomy I

4(3-2)

AST 261General Astronomy II

4(3-2)

AST 562Observational Astronomy

4(3-3)

AST 563Astrophysics

3(3-0)

Cognate Courses (0-15 hours)

Mathematics Prerequisites

MTH 132Calculus I

4(4-0)

MTH 133Calculus II

4(4-0)

MTH 233Calculus III

4(4-0)

MTH 334Differential Equations

3(3-0)

Note: MTH 223 is a prerequisite for both MTH 233 and MTH 334.

Total: 51-66 semester hours