The emphasis in Astrophysics is designed for students interested in pursuing a career and advanced study in astronomy and astrophysics. The degree program contains a strong core of physics and mathematics courses which provides the desired breadth and academic rigor to prepare the student for entry into any of the many subfields of modern space-related careers (for example, space science and technology, planetary science, astrobiology, etc.).
The emphasis in Astrophysics is designed for students interested in pursuing a career and advanced study in astronomy and astrophysics. The degree program contains a strong core of physics and mathematics courses which provides the desired breadth and academic rigor to prepare the student for entry into any of the many subfields of modern space-related careers, including astronomy and astrophysics, space science and technology, planetary science, and astrobiology.
| Core Curriculum Courses | 42 | |
| See the Core Curriculum Requirements | ||
| Required courses in the major | ||
| University Physics I * | ||
| PHYS 2426 | University Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 317 | Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| PHYS 321 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 333 | Wave Motion, Acoustics, and Optics | 4 |
| PHYS 335 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| Choose 2 from the following: | 6 | |
| Classical Mechanics (Choose two from the following:) | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Emphasis Courses | ||
| PHYS 151 | Physics From Absolute Zero I *** | 3 |
Calculus-ready transfer students may substitute an advanced PHYS or ASTR or MATH elective for PHYS 151 | ||
| ASTR 1103 | Introductory Astronomy Lab | 1 |
| ASTR 1303 | Stars and the Universe | 3 |
| ASTR 310 | Observational Astronomy | 4 |
| ASTR 410 | Stellar Structure and Evolution | 3 |
| ASTR 420 | Galaxies and Cosmology | 3 |
| PHYS 119 | Introduction to Python Computer Programming for the Physical Sciences | 1 |
| PHYS 319 | Computational Physics with Python | 3 |
| PHYS 401 | Current Topics in Physics and Astronomy (1 sh, must be repeated for total of 2 sh) | 2 |
| 6 SCH of additional PHYS 400-level courses | 6 | |
| PHYS or ASTR or MATH (Advanced) | 3 | |
| Support Courses ** | ||
| Calculus I (4 hours) * | ||
| Calculus II * | ||
| MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 2320 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I * | ||
| CHEM 1111 | General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| Second Major or Minor or Electives | ||
| 18-24 semester hours required in second major or minor or electives | 18-24 | |
| Total Hours | 123-129 | |
This course should be taken to fulfill Core Curriculum Requirements
These courses may apply to the second major or minor
A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in all courses in this Major.
Course required to be taken in the first semester by all first year students.
Notes
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| PHYS 101 | Physics and Astronomy Seminar | 1 |
| PHYS 119 | Introduction to Python Computer Programming for the Physical Sciences | 1 |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
| PHYS 2425 | University Physics I | 4 |
| CID 2301 | The Human Experience | 3 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 2426 | University Physics II | 4 |
| ASTR 1303 | Stars and the Universe | 3 |
| ASTR 1103 | Introductory Astronomy Lab | 1 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 333 | Wave Motion, Acoustics, and Optics | 4 |
| CHEM 1311 | General and Quantitative Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 1111 | General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 2320 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 321 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 319 | Computational Physics with Python | 3 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 317 | Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| PHYS 335 or ASTR 310 |
Advanced Physics Laboratory * or Observational Astronomy |
3 |
| PHYS 411 or PHYS 414 |
Classical Mechanics * or Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory |
3 |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 401 | Current Topics in Physics and Astronomy | 1 |
| PHYS 412 or PHYS 420 |
Electricity and Magnetism * or Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
| ASTR 410 or ASTR 420 |
Stellar Structure and Evolution * or Galaxies and Cosmology |
3 |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 401 | Current Topics in Physics and Astronomy | 1 |
| PHYS 414 or PHYS 411 |
Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory * or Classical Mechanics |
3 |
| ASTR 310 or PHYS 335 |
Observational Astronomy * or Advanced Physics Laboratory |
4 |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| ADV PHYS/ASTR/MATH | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 420 or PHYS 412 |
Quantum Mechanics * or Electricity and Magnetism |
3 |
| ASTR 420 or ASTR 410 |
Galaxies and Cosmology * or Stellar Structure and Evolution |
3 |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Minor / 2nd Major Course | 3 | |
| Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 127 | |
PHYS 400-level courses and ASTR 300-level and 400-level courses taught alternate years
