BS Astrophysics Track (starting Fall 2023 or later):

The Astrophysics track is recommended to those students who want to pursue a graduate degree in astrophysics and related fields.

Astronomy Courses:

ASTRON 191A: First Year Seminar (1 credits, Fall semester only)
ASTRON 228: Astrophysics I: Stars and Galaxies (3 credits, Spring semester only)

JUNIOR YEAR WRITING: Students whose primary major is astronomy should take ASTRON 301: Writing in Astronomy (3 credits, Fall semester only) to satisfy the Junior Year Writing requirement. Students whose primary major is not astronomy, only need take the junior year writing course offered in their primary major.

INTEGRATIVE EXPERIENCE: Students whose primary major is astronomy can take either ASTRON 339: Astronomy in a Global Context (3 credits, Spring semester only) or PHYSICS 440: Intermediate Lab (4 credits, Fall and Spring semesters) to satisfy the Integrative Experience requirement. Students whose primary major is not astronomy, only need to take the integrative experience course offered in their primary major.

ASTRON 335: Astrophysics II: Stellar Structure and Evolution (4 credits, Fall semester only) ASTRON 452: Astrophysics III: Galaxies and the Universe (4 credits, Spring semester only)

One additional astronomy course (at least 3 credits) at the 300-level or higher. ASTRON 339 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement if used to satisfy the IE requirement. Independent study, practicum, honors project, honors thesis and honors research cannot be used to satisfy this requirement. Recommendations:

ASTRON 330: Topics in Astrophysics (3 credits)
ASTRON 337: Techniques of Optical and Infrared Astronomy (4 credits, fall semester)

Most faculty members in astronomy are engaged in basic research and undergraduate research opportunities are available through independent study, honor research and summer internships. Although not required, we encourage students to get involved in research.

Physics Courses:

PHYSICS 181: Physics I – Mechanics ( 4 credits with lab, Fall semester only)
PHYSICS 182: Physics II – Electricity and Magnetics (4 credits with lab, Spring semester only) PHYSICS 271: Mathematical Methods of Physics I (3 credits, Fall semester only)

PHYSICS 272: Physics III: Thermodynamics, Optics and Special Relativity (3 credits, Fall semester only) and PHYSICS 273: Sophomore Lab I (2 credits, Fall semester only)

PHYSICS 275: Mathematical Methods of Physics II (3 credits, Spring semester only)

PHYSICS 276: Physics IV: Introduction to Waves and Quantum Mechanics (3 credits, Spring semester only) and PHYSICS 277: Sophomore Lab II (2 credits, Spring semester only)

PHYSICS 281: Computational Physics (3 credits, Fall or Spring semesters)
PHYSICS 421: Mechanics I (4 credits, Fall semester only)
PHYSICS 422: Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (4 credits, Spring semester only) PHYSICS 423: Statistical Physics (4 credits, Spring semester only)
PHYSICS 424: Quantum Mechanics (4 credits, Fall semester only)

Math Courses:

MATH 131: Calculus I (4 credits, Fall or Spring semesters)
MATH 132: Calculus II (4 credits, Fall or Spring semesters)
MATH 233: Multivariate Calculus (3 credits, Fall or Spring semesters)

Suggested Course Schedule:

Freshman Year:

Fall: ASTRON 191A, PHYSIC 181, MATH 131 Spring: ASTRON 228, PHYSIC 182, MATH 132

Sophomore Year:

Fall: PHYSICS 271, PHYSIC 272/273, MATH 233 Spring: PHYSICS 275, PHYSIC 276/277, PHYSICS 281

Junior/Senior Years:

Fall: ASTRON 335, PHYSIC 421, PHYSIC 424, ASTRON 301 Spring: ASTRON 339, ASTRON 452, PHYSIC 422, PHYSIC 423, Either Fall or Spring: one astronomy elective at 300-level or higher