Degree Requirements

The degree requirements are listed for the Astronomy Major and the Astronomy-Astrophysics/Physics option. APS students will need to take the listed courses specific to their track in order to complete their astronomy degree.

If you would like to propose a different course than the ones listed below, please fill out this petition. It will be automatically submitted to the APS Lead Mentor and your Academic Advisor. You should receive a response in 1-2 weeks.

Astronomy Major
Astrophysics Option

Astronomy Major

This is appropriate for someone aiming for a career in K–12 education, science journalism, science policy, information technology, science management, or technical work who does not expect to pursue a graduate degree.

Students must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours in astronomy (this must include at least 18 upper-division credit hours) and a minimum of 9 credit hours in physics.

Through the required coursework for this track of the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Natural Sciences area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement, including the lab component, and the QRMS component of the Gen Ed Skills Requirement. If ASTR 2000 is selected, a student could also complete the Global Perspective component of the Gen Ed Diversity Requirement.

Astronomy Degree Requirements Flowchart

Part A: Elementary Coursework (26 credit hour minimum)

1. Lower Division ASTR (8 hours):

ASTR 1030/1040 Accelerated Introductory Astronomy sequence (8) OR ASTR 1010/1020 Introductory Astronomy sequence (8) with permission from Lead APS Faculty Mentor.

2. Lower Division Physics (9 hours):

PHYS 1115/1125/1140 (preferred) OR PHYS 1110/1120/1140: General Physics 1 & 2 (9)

3. One of the following courses:

ASTR 2100 Fundamental Concepts in Astrophysics (3)
PHYS 2130 General Physics 3 (3) [requires Calculus III]
PHYS 2170 Foundations of Modern Physics (3) [requires Calculus III] should be taken with PHYS 2150.

4. Minimum of two additional courses selected from:

ASTR 2000 Ancient Astronomies (3)
ASTR 2010 Modern Cosmology (3)
ASTR 2020 Intro to Space Astronomy (3)
ASTR 2030 Black Holes (3)
ASTR 2040 Life in the Universe
ASTR 2050 The Sun and Society
ASTR 2500 Gateway to Space (3)
ASTR 2600 Computational Techniques (3)

Part B: Co-requisites in other Depts (15 credit hour minimum)

1. Mathematics:

MATH 1300/2300: Calculus I & II (10; preferred) OR APPM 1350/1360: Calculus I & II for Engineers (8)

2. One other science sequence with lab. Can be satisfied by any sequence that satisfies the Gen Ed Natural Sciences requirement including a lab. Examples:

CHEM 1113/1114 and CHEM 1133/1134 (10)
EBIO 1210/1230 and EBIO 1220/1240 (8)
GEOL 1010/1030 and GEOL 1020 (7)
ATOC 1050/1070 and ATCO 1060 (7)

Part C: Advanced course work (18 credit hour minimum)

1. One of the following upper-level course sequences:

Planetary Sequence (6)

ASTR 3720 Planets & Their Atmospheres
ASTR 3750 Planets, Moons, & Rings

Stellar/Galactic Sequence (6)

ASTR 3730 Stellar & Interstellar
ASTR 3830 Galactic & Extragalactic

2. Plus four additional courses from the following or from those sequence courses not used above (12 hr minimum):

ASTR 3400 Research Methods (3)
ASTR 3510 Observations and Instrumentation 1 (4)
ASTR 3520 Observations and Instrumentation 2 (4)
ASTR 3560 Astronomical Instrumentation Lab (3)
ASTR 3710 Formation & Dynamics of Planetary Systems (3)
ASTR 3740 Cosmology & Relativity (3)
ASTR 3760 Solar & Space Physics (3)
ASTR 3800 Scientific Data Analysis & Computing (3)
ASTR 4330 Cosmochemistry (3)
ASTR 4800 Space Practice and Policy (3)
ASTR 5760 Astrophysical Instrumentation (3; with instructor permission)
ASEN 4010 Introduction to Space Dynamics (3)
ATOC 4720 Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics (3)

Total Credit Hours:
44-47 in ASTR and PHYS, 15-20 in ancillary departments

Astrophysics/Physics Track

(Supervised by both APS and Physics Departments)

This is appropriate for someone intending to continue on to a graduate program in astrophysics or planetary sciences. It is similar to the Physics Plan 2 (Astrophysics) degree, but with additional labs in astrophysics instrumentation, and with different electives.

Astrophysics Option Flowchart

Part A: Lower Division Coursework

1. Pre- or Co-Requisite Mathematics (16 hours minimum):

MATH 1300/2300/2400/2130 or 2135/3430 Calculus I, II, & III, Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (21; preferred) OR APPM 1350/1360/2350/2360 Calculus I, II, & III and Linear Algebra (16)

2. Lower Division Physics (16 hours):

PHYS 1115/1125/1140 (preferred) OR PHYS 1110/1120/1140 General Physics 1 & 2 (9)
PHYS 2170 Foundations of Modern Physics (3)
PHYS 2150 Experimental Physics (1) [Taken with PHYS 2170]
PHYS 2210 Classical Mechanics and Math Methods 1 (3)

3. Lower Division ASTR (8 hours):

ASTR 1030/1040 Accelerated Introductory Astronomy (4 + 4)

Part B: Upper Division Coursework

1. Advanced Physics (12 hour minimum):

PHYS 3310 Electricity & Magnetism 1 (3)
PHYS 3320 Electricity & Magnetism 2 (3)
PHYS 3210 Classical Mechanics and Math Methods 2 (3)
PHYS 3220 Quantum Mechanics & Atomic Physics 1 (3)

We suggest electives from the following:

PHYS 4230 Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics (3)
PHYS 4410 Quantum Mechanics & Atomic Physics 2 (3)
PHYS 4420 Nuclear & Particle Physics (3)
PHYS 4510 Optics (3)
PHYS 4150 Plasma Physics (3)

2. Advanced ASTR, one of the following two sequences (6 hour minimum):

ASTR 3720/3750 Planetary sequence (3+3)
ASTR 3730/3830 Stellar and Galactic Astronomy (3+3)

Plus three additional courses from the following or from those sequence courses not used above (9 hour minimum):

ASTR 3400 Research Methods (3)
ASTR 3510 Observations and Instrumentation 1 (4)
ASTR 3520 Observations and Instrumentation 2 (4)
ASTR 3560 Astronomical Instrumentation Lab (3)
ASTR 3710 Formation & Dynamics of Planetary Systems (3)
ASTR 3740 Cosmology & Relativity (3)
ASTR 3760 Solar & Space Physics (3)
ASTR 3800 Scientific Data Analysis & Computing (3)
ASTR 4330 Cosmochemistry (3)
ATOC 4710 OR 4720 Introduction to Atmospheric Physics or Atmospheric Dynamics (3)
ASEN 4010 Introduction to Space Dynamics (3)
Any ASTR 5000 or 6000 level course with Instructor's permission

Total Credit Hours:
23 minimum in ASTR, including 15 hrs upper division
PLUS
28 minimum in PHYS, including 12 hrs upper division

The APS department recognizes our scientific and educational missions are strengthened by contributions from diverse perspectives. We aim to promote a fair, inclusive, and supportive environment for all. As a member organization of the American Astronomical Society, our department adheres to their Code of Ethics and encourages all our faculty, students, and staff to do the same.
If you feel we have failed in this goal, or if there are any issues or areas of concern that the APS Executive Committee should be aware of, please use the Anonymous Issue Form.

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