Major and Minor Requirements
The Department of Astronomy offers courses toward the B.S. degree in astronomy and astrophysics as well as 100-level courses for non-astronomy majors. The B.S. degree is a professional program intended primarily to prepare students for graduate school and a career in astronomy. Students enrolled in this program use the telescopes at Kirkwood Observatory and on the roof of Swain Hall West, as well as the computing facilities in Swain Hall.
Major in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Students must complete the following fundamental skills and distribution requirements for the B.S. in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
1. Writing, same as the general requirements for the B.A. degree.
2. Foreign language, same as the general requirements for the B.A. degree.
French, Spanish, German, or Russian is normally required.
3. Arts and humanities, two courses.
4. Social and historical studies, two courses.
5. Mathematics and physical sciences, fulfilled by major.
Concentration Requirements:
1. Astronomy: A221-A222, A305, and two 400 level courses other than S499.
2. Physics: P221-P222, P301, P331-P332, and two of P441, P442, P453 or P454.
3. Mathematics: M211, M212, M311, and M343.
Students must also complete the requirements and procedures listed under "General Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees" in the student bulletin.
Recommendations:
The following courses are recommended:
- Mathematics M303, M312, M344 (or M441-442), M415
- Physics P340, P309, P321; the two of P441, P442, P453, P454 not taken above P306
- Computer Science C211 or C311
- History and Philosophy of Science X311
Double Degree in Physics (BS) and Astronomy and Astrophysics (BS)
As many of the course requirements are similar, careful selection of courses will allow students to earn a double degree in Physics and Astronomy and Astrophysics with a modest additional course load. Students who would like to earn a double degree in Physics (BS) and Astronomy and Astrophyics (BS) should take at minimum:
Physics:
P221-222, P301, P309, P331-332, P441, P451, P453 plus two additional physics courses (P340, P321, P442, P454, P360 recommended).
Mathematics:
M211-212, M311, M343 (or honors equivalents) plus two additional math courses. (M301 or M303, M312, M344 or M441-M442, M415 recommended)
Astronomy:
A221-222, A305, plus two 400-level astronomy courses other than S499.
These courses fulfill all Astronomy and Astrophysics concentration requirements and, simultaneously, Physics concentration requirements of at least 35 credit hours in physics (including the core courses P221,222,301,309,331,441,453,451); 20 credit hours in math (including M211,212,311,343); and 9 credit hours in biological or physical sciences outside of physics, mathematics, and computer science.
In addition to the above courses, students must complete the General Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees and complete the fundamental skills and distribution requirements.
Minor in Astronomy and Astrophysics
A program leading to a minor in astronomy and astrophysics is provided for students who have a serious interest in the field but do not plan to major in the subject. To obtain a minor in astronomy and astrophysics, a student must take the following courses: two 100-level astronomy courses (all combinations are acceptable except A100 and A110, or A105 and A110), A221, A222, and one of A305, A320, A451 or A452. Altogether, these provide at least 17 credit hours. A student must take all necessary prerequisites, including some mathematics and physics classes. Substitution of other astronomy courses may be made with the permission of the department. Replacement of 100-level astronomy courses by 300- or 400-level astronomy courses is encouraged. The cumulative GPA of all courses taken for the minor must be at least 2.000.Departmental Honors Program
The honors program is designed for superior students who plan to pursue graduate studies in astronomy and astrophysics. Students wishing to pursue the honors program should contact the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Astronomy during the second semester of their sophomore year or first semester of their junior year. To be admitted to the honors program, students must have an overall GPA of 3.3 and a GPA of 3.3 in their astronomy, mathematics, and physics courses. Students must maintain these GPAs to receive a degree with honors in astronomy and astrophysics. In the honors program, students complete the same requirements as the regular B.S. in astronomy and astrophysics and in addition take Astronomy S499 Honors Research. Astronomy S499 is to be taken one or both semesters during the senior year, counting for 3 credits each time it is taken. Students will carry out research supervised by a faculty member in the department. During the second semester of the senior year, the student will write a research report and make an oral presentation describing the work to the Department of Astronomy in a mini-colloquium. Recent senior theses include research on a wide range of astronomical problems, carried out in close collaboration with faculty.
Recommended Schedule for Honors Program Students
Freshman Mathematics M211 or M212 Physics P221-P222
Sophomore Astronomy A221-A222 Mathematics M311 and M343 Physics P301
Junior Astronomy A305 and A451 or A452 Physics P331-P332
Senior Astronomy A305 and A451 or A452 and S499 Physics P441, P442, P453 or P454
Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the official source of information regarding College of Arts and Sciences degree requirements is the College of Arts and Sciences web page
