The UMass Amherst astronomy department offers three different sub-plans for astronomy majors and one astronomy minor program. Students starting before fall 2023 have requirements that are different from students that are starting after fall 2023.
BS in Astrophysics
This track is recommended for students who want to eventually pursue a PhD degree in astrophysics in a related field.
This track is recommended for students who want to eventually pursue a PhD degree in astrophysics or in a related fields.
The requirements listed below are the department major requirements only. In addition, to graduate you will need to satisfy the university General Education requirements and the college requirement of 60 credits in courses in the college. Two of the general educations requirements (Junior Year Writing and Integrative Experience) are discipline specific and are summarized below.
Astronomy Courses:
- ASTRON 191A: First Year Seminar (1 cr., Fall semester only)
- ASTRON 228: Astrophysics I: Stars and Galaxies (3 cr., Spring semester only)
- 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.
- ASTRON 335: Astrophysics II: Stellar Structure and Evolution (4 cr., Fall semester only)
- 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 452: Astrophysics III: Galaxies and the Universe (4 cr., Spring semester only)
- One additional course at the 300+ level (at least 3 credits) Independent study, practicum, honors project, honors thesis and honors research do not satisfy this requirement.
Recommendations:
- ASTRON 330: Topics in Astrophysics (3 cr.)
- ASTRON 337: Techniques of Optical and Infrared Astronomy (4 cr, Fall semester only)
Although not required, we encourage students to get involved in research and take an independent study course
Physics Courses:
- PHYSICS 181: Physics I – Mechanics (with lab; 4 cr., Fall semester only)
- PHYSICS 182: Physics II – Electricity and Magnetics (with lab; 4 cr., Spring semester only)
- PHYSICS 281: Computational Physics (3 cr., both semesters)
- PHYSICS 282: Techniques of Theoretical Physics (3 cr., Spring semester only)
- PHYSICS 284: Modern Physics I (4 cr., Spring semester only) and PHYSICS 286: (associated lab)
- PHYSICS 287: Physics III – Waves and Thermodynamics (4 cr, Fall semester only) and PHYSICS 289 (associated lab)
- PHYSICS 421: Mechanics I (4 cr, Fall semester only)
- PHYSICS 422: Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr., Spring semester only)
- PHYSICS 423: Statistical Physics (4 cr., Spring semester only)
- PHYSICS 424: Quantum Mechanics (4 cr., Fall semester only)
Math Courses:
- MATH 131: Calculus I (4 cr., Both semesters)
- MATH 132: Calculus II (4 cr., Both semesters)
- MATH 233: Multivariate Calculus (3 cr., Both semesters)
- MATH 331: Ordinary Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers (3 cr., Both semesters)
Suggested Course Schedule:
- Freshman Year, Fall: ASTRON 191A, PHYSICS 181, MATH 131
- Freshman Year, Spring: ASTRON 228, PHYSICS 182, MATH 132
- Sophomore Year, Fall: PHYSICS 281, PHYSICS 287/289, MATH 233
- Sophomore Year, Spring: PHYSICS 282, PHYSICS 284/286, MATH 331
- Junior/Senior Years, Fall: ASTRON 301, ASTRON 335, PHYSICS 421, PHYSICS 424
- Junior/Senior Years, Spring: ASTRON 339, ASTRON 452, PHYSICS 422, PHYSICS 423
This track is recommended for students who want to eventually pursue a PhD degree in
astrophysics or in a related field.
The requirements listed below are the department major requirements only. In addition, to
graduate you will need to satisfy the university General Education requirements and the college
requirement of 60 credits in courses in the college. Two of the general educations requirements
(Junior Year Writing and Integrative Experience) are discipline specific and are summarized
below.
Astronomy Courses:
- ASTRON 191A: First Year Seminar (1 cr., Fall semester only)
- ASTRON 228: Astrophysics I: Stars and Galaxies (3 cr., Spring semester only)
- 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.
- ASTRON 335: Astrophysics II: Stellar Structure and Evolution (4 cr., Fall semester only)
- 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 452: Astrophysics III: Galaxies and the Universe (4 cr., Spring semester only)
- One additional course at the 300+ level (at least 3 credits) (independent study, practicum, honors project, honors thesis and honors research do not satisfy this requirement; ASTRON 339 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement if used to satisfy the IE requirement.)
Recommendations:
- ASTRON 330: Topics in Astrophysics (3 cr.)
- ASTRON 337: Techniques of Optical and Infrared Astronomy (4 cr, Fall semester only)
Although not required, we encourage students to get involved in research and take an
independent study course.
Physics Courses:
- PHYSICS 181 (4 credits with lab): Physics I: Mechanics (4 cr., Fall semester only)
- PHYSICS 182 (4 credits with lab): Physics II: Electricity and Magnetics (4 cr., Spring
- semester only)
- PHYSICS 271: Mathematical Methods of Physics I (3 cr., Fall semester only)
- PHYSICS 272: Physics III: Thermodynamics, Optics and Special Relativity (3 cr., Fall semester
- only) and PHYSICS 273: Sophomore Lab I (2 cr., Fall semester only)
- PHYSICS 275: Mathematical Methods of Physics II (3 cr., Spring semester only)
- PHYSICS 276: Physics IV: Introduction to Waves and Quantum Mechanics (3 cr., Spring
- semester only) and PHYSICS 277: Sophomore Lab II (2 cr., Spring semester only)
- PHYSICS 281: Computational Physics (3 cr., both semesters)
- PHYSICS 421: Mechanics I (4 cr., Fall semester only)
- PHYSICS 422: Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (4 cr., Spring semester only)
- PHYSICS 423: Statistical Physics (4 cr., Spring semester only)
- PHYSICS 424: Quantum Mechanics (4 cr., Fall semester only)
Math Courses:
- MATH 131: Calculus I (4 cr., Both semesters)
- MATH 132: Calculus II (4 cr., Both semesters)
- MATH 233: Multivariate Calculus (3 cr., Both semesters)
Suggested Course Schedule:
- Freshman Year, Fall: ASTRON 191A, PHYSICS 181, MATH 131
- Freshman Year, Spring: ASTRON 228, PHYSICS 182, MATH 132
- Sophomore Year, Fall: PHYSICS 271, PHYSICS 272/273, MATH 233
- Sophomore Year, Spring: PHYSICS 275, PHYSICS 276/277, PHYSICS 281
- Junior/Senior Years, Fall: ASTRON 301, ASTRON 335, PHYSICS 421, PHYSICS 424
- Junior/Senior Years, Spring: ASTRON 339, ASTRON 452, PHYSICS 422, PHYSICS 423
- Junior/Senior Years, Fall or Spring: Astronomy 300+ Elective
BS in Space Science
Recommended for students pursuing an astronomy-related professional career after graduation. Majors in this track must develop a plan to complete course requirements with their advisor.
Requirements for Astronomy BS Degree–Space Science Track
(Student starting before fall 2023)
Recommended for students pursuing an astronomy-related professional career after graduation. Majors in this track must develop a plan to complete course requirements with their advisor.
The requirements listed below are the department major requirements only. In addition, to graduate you will need to satisfy the university General Education requirements and the college requirement of 60 credits in college courses. Two of the general educations requirements (Junior Year Writing and Integrative Experience) are discipline specific and are summarized below.
Astronomy Courses:
ASTRON 191A: First Year Seminar (1 cr., Fall semester only)
ASTRON 228: Astrophysics I: Stars and Galaxies (3 cr., 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.
ASTRON 335: Astrophysics II: Stellar Structure and Evolution (4 cr., Fall semester only)
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.
Three additional Astronomy courses (each at least 3 credits), two at 200 level or higher and one at the 300 level or higher (independent research, honors research or honors thesis do not satisfy this requirement).
Some options for 200+ and 300+ Astronomy courses:
ASTRON 220: Special Topics in Astronomy ( 3 cr.)
ASTRON 223: Planetary Science (3 cr.)
ASTRON 226: Cosmology (3 cr.)
ASTRON 330: Topics in Astrophysics (3 cr.)
ASTRON 337: Techniques of Optical and Infrared Astronomy (4 cr., Fall semester)
(Although not required, we encourage students to get involved in research and take an independent study course)
Physics Courses:
PHYSICS 181: Physics I: Mechanics (4 cr., Fall semester only) or PHYSICS 151: General Physics I (4 cr., Fall and spring semesters)
PHYSICS 182 : Physics II: Electricity and Magnetics (4 cr., Spring semester only) or PHYSICS 152: General Physics II (4 cr., Fall and spring semesters) or
PHYSICS 281: Computational Physics (3 cr, both semesters)
PHYSICS 284 (and associated lab PHYSICS 286): Modern Physics I (4 cr., Spring
semester only
PHYSICS 287 (and associated lab PHYSICS 289): Physics III – Waves and Thermodynamics (4 cr, Fall semester only)
One additional (at least 3-credits) 400+ level course in Physics
Math Courses:
MATH 131: Calculus I (4 cr., both semesters)
MATH 132: Calculus II (4 cr., both semesters)
MATH 233: Multivariate Calculus (3 cr., both semesters) Concentration Requirement:
Three courses (at least 3 credits each) in a related field agreed to by the student's Department Advisor. The courses used to satisfy the concentration requirement cannot be used to satisfy any of the requirements listed above.
Suggested Course Schedule:
Freshman Year: Fall: ASTRON 191A, PHYS 181 or 151, MATH 131 Spring: ASTRON 228, PHYS 182 or 152, MATH 132
Sophomore Year: PHYSIC 281 (Fall), PHYS 287/289 (Fall), PHYS 284/286 (spring), MATH 233 (Fall or spring), Two additional 200+ level astronomy,
Concentration courses
Junior/Senior Years: ASTRON 301 (Fall), ASTRON 335 (Fall), ASTRON 339 (Spring). One additional 400+ level physics course, and one additional
300+ level astronomy course, Concentration courses
Requirements for Astronomy BS Degree–Space Science Track
(Student starting fall 2023 and later)
Recommended for students pursuing an astronomy-related professional career after graduation. Majors in this track must develop a plan to complete course requirements with their advisor.
The requirements listed below are the department major requirements only. In addition, to graduate you will need to satisfy the university General Education requirements and the college requirement of 60 credits in college courses. Two of the general educations requirements (Junior Year Writing and Integrative Experience) are discipline specific and are summarized below.
Astronomy Courses:
ASTRON 191A: First Year Seminar (1 cr., Fall semester only)
ASTRON 228: Astrophysics I: Stars and Galaxies (3 cr., 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.
Either ASTRON 335: Astrophysics II: Stellar Structure and Evolution (4 cr., Fall semester) or ASTRON 452: Astrophysics III: Galaxies and the Universe (4 cr., Spring semester)
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.
Three additional Astronomy courses (each at least 3 credits), two at the 200 level or higher and one at the 300 level or higher (independent study, practicum, honors project, honors thesis and honors research do not satisfy this requirement). Astron 339 cannot satisfy this requirement if used to satisfy the IE requirement.
Some options for 200+ and 300+ Astronomy courses:
ASTRON 220: Special Topics in Astronomy ( 3 cr..)
ASTRON 223: Planetary Science (3 cr.,)
ASTRON 226: Cosmology (3 cr.,)
ASTRON 330: Topics in Astrophysics (3 cr..)
ASTRON 337: Techniques of Optical and Infrared Astronomy (4 cr., Fall semester)
Although not required, we encourage students to get involved in research and take an independent study course.
Physics Courses:
PHYSICS 181: Physics I: Mechanics (4 cr., Fall semester only)
PHYSICS 182 : Physics II: Electricity and Magnetics (4 cr., Spring semester only)
PHYSICS 271: Mathematical Methods of Physics I (3 cr., Fall semester only) PHYSICS 272: Physics III: Thermodynamics, Optics and Special Relativity (3 cr., Fall
semester only) and PHYSICS 273: Sophomore Lab I (2 cr., Fall semester only) PHYSICS 276: Physics IV: Introduction to Waves and Quantum Mechanics (3 cr., Spring
semester only) and PHYSICS 277: Sophomore Lab II (2 cr., Spring semester only) PHYSICS 281: Computational Physics (3 cr., both semesters)
One additional (at least 3-credits) 400+ level course in Physics
Math Courses:
MATH 131: Calculus I (4 cr., both semesters)
MATH 132: Calculus II (4 cr., both semesters)
MATH 233: Multivariate Calculus (3 cr., both semesters) Concentration Requirement:
Three courses (at least 3 credits each) in a related field agreed to by the student's Department Advisor. The courses used to satisfy the concentration requirement cannot be used to satisfy any of the requirements listed above.
Suggested Course Schedule:
Freshman Year: Sophomore Year:
Fall: ASTRON 191A, PHYS 181, MATH 131 Spring: ASTRON 228, PHYS 182, MATH 132
Fall: PHYS 271, PHYS 272/273, MATH 233
Spring: PHYS 276/277, PHYSIC 281
Fall or Spring: Elective 200+ level astronomy, Concentration courses
Junior/Senior Years: Fall: ASTRON 301, ASTRON 335 Spring: ASTRON 339
Fall or Spring: 400+ level physics course, remaining 200+ and 300+ astronomy electives and Concentration courses
BA in Astronomy
This track is designed for students seeking careers in science-related fields such as teaching, museum work, science writing, and pre-med. Majors in this track must develop a plan to complete course requirements with their advisor.
Requirements for Astronomy BA Degree
This track is designed for students seeking careers in teaching, museum work, science writing, pre-med, etc. Majors in this track must develop a plan to complete course requirements with their advisor.
The requirements listed below are the department major requirements only. In addition, to graduate you will need to satisfy the university General Education requirements and the college requirement for proficiency in a foreign language. Two of the general educations requirements (Junior Year Writing and Integrative Experience) are discipline specific and are summarized below.
Astronomy Courses:
ASTRON 191A: First Year Seminar (1 cr., Fall semester only)
ASTRON 228: Astrophysics I: Stars and Galaxies (3 cr., 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.
ASTRON 335: Astrophysics II: Stellar Structure and Evolution (4 cr., Fall semester only)
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.
Three additional Astronomy courses (each at least 3 credits) and one of these three courses must be at the 300 level or higher in astronomy or closely related courses in other Departments, such as Physics or Geoscience (independent research, honors research or honors thesis do not satisfy this requirement)
Some options for 200+ and 300+ Astronomy courses:
ASTRON 220: Special Topics in Astronomy ( 3 cr.)
ASTRON 223: Planetary Science (3 cr.)
ASTRON 226: Cosmology (3 cr.)
ASTRON 330: Topics in Astrophysics (3 cr.)
ASTRON 337: Techniques of Optical and Infrared Astronomy (4 cr., Fall only)
Physics Courses:
PHYSICS 181: Physics I: Mechanics (4 cr., fall semester only) or PHYSICS 151 (with lab): General Physics I (4 cr., both semesters)
PHYSICS 182: Physics II: Electricity and Magnetics (4 cr. Spring semester only) or PHYSICS 152 (with lab): General Physics II (4 cr., both semesters)
PHYSICS 281: Computational Physics (3 cr, Fall semester only)
PHYSICS 284 (and lab PHYSICS 286): Modern Physics I (4 cr., Spring semester only)
PHYSICS 287 (and lab PHYSICS 289): Waves and Thermodynamics (4 cr., Fall semester only)
Math Courses:
MATH 131: Calculus I (4 cr., both semesters)
MATH 132: Calculus II (4 cr., both semesters)
MATH 233: Multivariate Calculus (3 cr., both semesters)
Suggested Course Schedule:
Freshman Year: Fall: ASTRON 191A, PHYS 181 or 151, MATH 131 Spring: PHYS 182 or 152, MATH 132
Sophomore Year: ASTRON 228 (Spring), additional 200+ level astronomy course, PHYS 281 (Fall), PHYS 287/289 (Fall), PHYS 284/286 (Spring), MATH
233
Junior/Senior Years: ASTRON 301 (Fall), ASTRON 335 (Fall), ASTRON 339 (Spring), additional 200+ level astronomy course, additional
300+ level astronomy course
Requirements for Astronomy BA Degree
This track is designed for students seeking careers in teaching, museum work, science writing, pre-med, etc. Majors in this track must develop a plan to complete course requirements with their advisor.
The requirements listed below are the department major requirements only. In addition, to graduate you will need to satisfy the university General Education requirements and the college requirement for proficiency in a foreign language. Two of the general educations requirements (Junior Year Writing and Integrative Experience) are discipline specific and are summarized below.
Astronomy Courses:
ASTRON 191A: First Year Seminar (1 cr., Fall semester only)
ASTRON 228: Astrophysics I: Stars and Galaxies (3 cr., 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.
Either ASTRON 335: Astrophysics II: Stellar Structure and Evolution (4 cr, Fall semester only) or ASTRON 452: Astrophysics III: Galaxies and the Universe (4 cr., Spring semester only)
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.
Three additional Astronomy courses (each at least 3 credits), two at the 200+ level and one at the 300+ level. (independent study, practicum, honors project, honors thesis and honors research do not satisfy this requirement)
Some options for 200+ and 300+ Astronomy courses:
ASTRON 220: Special Topics in Astronomy ( 3 cr.) ASTRON 223: Planetary Science (3 cr.)
ASTRON 226: Cosmology (3 cr.)
ASTRON 330: Topics in Astrophysics (3 cr.)
ASTRON 337: Techniques of Optical and Infrared Astronomy (4 cr., Fall
semester)
Physics Courses:
PHYSICS 181: Physics I: Mechanics (4 cr., fall semester only)
PHYSICS 182: Physics II: Electricity and Magnetics (4 cr. Spring semester only)
PHYSICS 272: Physics III: Thermodynamics, Optics and Special Relativity (3 cr., Fall semester only) and PHYSICS 273: Sophomore Lab I (2 cr., Fall semester only)
PHYSICS 276: Physics IV: Introduction to Waves and Quantum Mechanics (3 cr., Spring semester only) and PHYSICS 277: Sophomore Lab II (2 cr., Spring semester only)
PHYSICS 281: Computational Physics (3 cr., both semesters)
Math Courses:
MATH 131: Calculus I (4 cr., both semesters)
MATH 132: Calculus II (4 cr., both semesters)
MATH 233: Multivariate Calculus (3 cr., both semesters)
Suggested Course Schedule:
Freshman Year: Fall: ASTRON 191A, PHYS 181, MATH 131 Spring: PHYS 182, MATH 132, ASTRON 228
Sophomore Year: Fall: PHYS 272 and 273, MATH 233 Spring: PHYS 276 and 277, PHYS 281
Fall or Spring: 200+ level astronomy elective
Junior/Senior Years: Fall: ASTRON 301 Spring: ASTRON 339
Fall or Spring: either ASTRON 335 (Fall) or 452 (Spring), 200+ level astronomy elective and 300+ level astronomy elective
Minor in Astronomy
The course requirements for astronomy minor include ASTRON 228 and four additional courses at the 200+ level.