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Astronomy

Undergraduate Requirements

Regulations for all Astronomy Majors, Concentrators, and Interdepartmental Majors

Courses in which the grade of D has been received do not count toward the major or concentration requirements.

For a Major in Astronomy

Students contemplating graduate study are advised to include at least two of these physics courses: PHYS W3003 Mechanics, PHYS W3007 Electricity and magnetism, and PHYS G4021 Quantum mechanics, I or PHYS BC3006 Quantum physics. One of these may be substituted for 3 points of astronomy. 

The major should be planned with the director of undergraduate studies before the beginning of the junior year.  The requirements for the major are as follows:

  1. Calculus sequence through MATH V1202 Calculus IV or MATH V1208 Honors mathematics IV
  2. One of the following:
    • ASTR C1403 Earth, moon, and planets - C1404 Beyond the solar system and 12 points in astronomy at the 2000 level or above 
    • ASTR C2001-C2002 Introduction to astrophysics, I and II and 9 points in astronomy at the 3000 level or above
  3. One of the following sequences:
    • PHYS C1401 Introduction to mechanics and thermal dynamics, PHYS C1402 Introduction to electricity, magnetism, and optics, PHYS C1403 Introduction to classical and quantum waves
    • PHYS C1601 Physics I: mechanics and relativity, PHYS C1602 Physics II: thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism, PHYS C2601 Physics III, classical and quantum waves
    • PHYS C2801-C2802 Accelerated physics, I and II
  4. Two physics courses at the 3000 level or above

For a Major in Astrophysics

Students who have majored in astrophysics are equally qualified to proceed to graduate work in physics or in astronomy. 

A minimum of 50 points, to be planned with the director of undergraduate studies before the beginning of the junior year as follows:

  1. Calculus sequence through MATH V1202 Calculus IV or MATH V1208 Honors mathematics IV .
  2. ASTR C2001-C2002 Introduction to astrophysics, I and II 
  3. Six points in astronomy at the 3000 level or above
  4. One of the following sequences:
    • PHYS C1401 Introduction to mechanics and thermal dynamics, PHYS C1402 Introduction to electricity, magnetism, and optics, PHYS C1403 Introduction to classical and quantum waves
    • PHYS C1601 Physics I: mechanics and relativity, PHYS C1602 Physics II: thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism, PHYS C2601 Physics III, classical and quantum waves
    • PHYS C2801-C2802 Accelerated Physics, I and II
  5. PHYS W3003 Mechanics
  6. PHYS W3007 Electricity and magnetism
  7. PHYS W3008 Electromagnetic waves and optics
  8. PHYS G4021 Quantum mechanics, I or BC3006 Quantum physics
  9. PHYS G4022 Quantum mechanics II or PHYS G4023 Thermal and statistical physics




For a Concentration in Astronomy

An extra 3 points of physics can substitute for 3 points of astronomy, as long as the course submitted is at the equivalent or higher level.  The requirements for the concentration are as follows:

  1. Nine points of mathematics
  2. 15 points of astronomy, 9 of which must be at or above the 2000 level
  3. Nine points of physics

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