BS in Astronomy & Astrophysics
In the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics, students become well versed in different aspects of modern astronomy and astrophysics. Coursework includes quantum physics, mechanics and astrophysics, as well as a range of electives in computer science and physics topics. Classes incorporate hands-on experience with state-of-the-art telescopes, satellites and data analysis.
All students in the astronomy and astrophysics major complete a capstone project as well as a symposium course, in which they learn to present their research findings and review their peers’ projects. Students leave the program ready to begin graduate-level education in astronomy, astrophysics, physics or a related field, and they are able to apply their scientific and problem-solving skills in a variety of workplaces.
“Everything we are comes from the stars. You cannot understand what our world is made of unless you understand how stars are born and how they die.”
Bill Briscoe
Professor and Chair, Physics Department
Declare a Major
All students should visit the undergraduate program director or another physics advisor before submitting the Declaration of Major/Minor Form. Current advisors are listed on the faculty directory.
Declaration of Major/Minor Form
Capstone Course
Students majoring in astronomy and astrophysics complete a required capstone course. Learning objectives for the capstone include:
- Working in a mentored learning environment to design and conduct physics research in an ethical manner
- Exploring and preparing for various careers
- Practicing how to share research findings with different audiences
Course Requirements
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
Program-specific curriculum:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory courses (26 credits): | ||
| PHYS 1021 | University Physics I | |
| PHYS 1022 | University Physics II | |
| PHYS 2023 | Modern Physics | |
| MATH 1231 | Single-Variable Calculus I | |
| MATH 1232 | Single-Variable Calculus II | |
| MATH 2233 | Multivariable Calculus | |
| MATH 2184 | Linear Algebra I | |
| MAE 1117 | Introduction to Engineering Computations | |
| or CSCI 1012 | Introduction to Programming with Python | |
| Advanced courses (49 credits): | ||
| MATH 3342 | Ordinary Differential Equations | |
| PHYS 3100 | Math Methods for Physics | |
| PHYS 2151W | Intermediate Laboratory I: Techniques and Methods | |
| PHYS 2152 | Intermediate Laboratory II: Instrumentation | |
| ASTR 2121 | Introduction to Modern Astrophysics | |
| PHYS 3161 | Mechanics | |
| PHYS 3164 | Thermal and Statistical Physics | |
| PHYS 3165 | Electromagnetic Theory I | |
| PHYS 3166 | Electromagnetic Theory II | |
| PHYS 3167 | Principles of Quantum Physics | |
| PHYS 3181 | Computational Physics | |
| PHYS 4195W | Physics Capstone | |
| ASTR 4195 | Undergraduate Research in Astrophysics | |
| PHYS 4200 | Physics Symposium | |
| Electives | ||
| Two of the following: | ||
| ASTR 2131 | Astrophysics Seminar | |
| ASTR 3141 | Data Analysis in Astrophysics | |
| ASTR 3161 | Space Astrophysics | |
| One of the following: | ||
| PHYS 3127 | Biophysics: Macroscopic Physics in the Life Sciences | |
| PHYS 3128 | Biophysics: Microscopic Physics in the Life Sciences | |
| PHYS 3163 | Physical and Quantum Optics | |
| PHYS 4170 | Solid-State Physics | |
| PHYS 4175 | Nuclear Physics | |