BA in Astronomy

For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Major requirements consist of a common core of basic physics and mathematics courses, with additional course work specific to each degree program. Students may obtain credit for some courses by advanced placement, and the department’s undergraduate committee can modify requirements to meet the needs of students with special backgrounds. Program Learning Outcomes for BA in Astronomy Students graduating from this program will: Acquire and demonstrate a solid foundation of knowledge in physics and/or astrophysics. Recognize the importance of science in issues affecting their everyday lives. They use scientific approaches and think critically in evaluating articles in the scientific and popular press. Degree requirements for BA in Astronomy PHYS 101 Mechanics (with Lab) and PHYS 103 Mechanics Discussion or PHYS 111 Mechanics (with lab) PHYS 102 Electricity and Magnetism (with Lab) and PHYS 104 E & M Discussion or PHYS 112 Electricity and Magnetism (with lab) PHYS 201 Waves and Optics PHYS 202 Modern Physics PHYS 231 Elementary Physics Laboratory PHYS 301 Intermediate Mechanics PHYS 302 Intermediate Electrodynamics ASTR 230 Astronomy Lab ASTR 350 and ASTR 360 Introduction to Astrophysics Two credits of ASTR 400 Undergraduate Research Seminar One of: the following: i. ASTR 450 Experimental Space Science ii. ASTR 451 Astrophysics I - Sun and Stars iii. ASTR 452 Astrophysics II - Galaxies and Cosmology iv. ASTR 470 Solar System Physics v. PHYS 480 Introduction to Plasma Physics MATH 101 and 102 Single Variable Calculus I and II MATH 211 Ordinary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra MATH 212 Multivariable Calculus NOTE: MATH 221 and 222 Honors Calculus III and IV may substitute for MATH 211 and MATH 212 MECH 200 Classical Thermodynamics One of the following: i. PHYS 331 Junior Physics Laboratory I ii. NSCI 230/COMP 110 Computation in Science and Engineering iii. CAAM 210 Introduction to Engineering Computation