Astronomy B.A.

The B.A. in astronomy prepares students for a career in industry, business, science education and science writing where analytical skills and scientific background are necessary.

Students in the fields of mathematics, science, computer science, and engineering who are considering a double major should discuss it with the undergraduate coordinator. Some course substitutions are allowed for such majors but they must be approved in writing in advance.

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for the B.A. degree, candidates must complete a total of 30 credits in physics and astronomy and 11 credits in mathematics, with a minimum GPA of 2.000. (Through the coursework below, astronomy majors satisfy the university-wide requirements in natural science and quantitative reasoning.)

1. Eight required core Astronomy courses (20 credits): ASTR 111, 112, 113, 114, 301, 302, 402, and 490. 

2. One of the following physics sequences:

    

   • PHYS 243, 245 (6 credits)
   • PHYS 160, 260, 262 (10 credits)

 

3. One of the following mathematics sequences:

    

• MATH 106, 108 (6 credits)
• MATH 113, 114 (8 credits)
• MATH 115, 116 (8 credits)

 

4. Electives (15 credits, at least 3 credits in upper-level courses) drawn from the following list or, with permission of the department and course instructor, from advanced ASTR, PHYS, or MATH courses:

• ASTR 390, 403, 408; PHYS 121, 122, 123, 124; CS 112; BIOL 103, 104, 213; CHEM 101, 102, 103, 104, 155, 156, 201, 202, 211; GEOL 101, 102

 

Note: Students who take the 10-credit physics sequence and one of the 8-credit math sequences can count the additional 6 credits beyond required minimum credits toward elective credit in the major.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in astronomy may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ASTR 402.