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. 

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Undergraduate Research

Departmental Honors

Why Physics?

 

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“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, Physics Department

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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 Experience

All BS in Astronomy and Astrophysics students perform at least one large research project, in which they are supervised by a faculty member. In addition to the large research project, which should start in the third year and be finalized in the fourth year, students are encouraged to do other research projects within the department. Students are also encouraged and supported to apply for research experiences and internships outside the department during the summer months. 

To support them through their research experiences, every BS in Astronomy and Astrophysics student takes the Physics Capstone (PHYS 4195W) and Physics Symposium (PHYS 4200) courses. 

PHYS 4195W (Physics Capstone)

PHYS 4195W fulfills Oral Communications and Writing in the Disciplines (WID) requirements. After taking the capstone, students will be able to:

• explain the issues and standards for ethical conduct of research,
• explain issues related to building a physics community,
• describe career paths in physics,
• create applications for employment and graduate studies including resumes and cover letters, and
• improve their scientific written and oral communication, including learning how to develop proposals for research funding.

Students will have opportunities to improve their writing and presentations based on instructor and peer feedback in class, and they will interact with the GW Career Services office. The overarching goal of the capstone is to help students think about, and develop, practical skills related to physics research, and prepare for their careers after graduation. This course also prepares students for a research project in their junior and senior year, and for presenting this research at various venues. 

PHYS 4200 (Physics Symposium)

After taking PHYS 4200, students will be able to communicate physics research in a disciplinarily and audience appropriate manner. During the course of the curriculum, students:

• write a final report on their research in subject-appropriate format and style
• present a poster on their research at the CCAS Research Showcase, and
• give an oral presentation on their research at the Physics Undergraduate Symposium Day.

All written and oral presentations will be guided by readings and examples, and feedback is provided by both the instructor and the students’ peers.

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