Undergraduate
Major in Astronomy
The Astronomy Department offers a B.S. degree in a
program, which is designed to prepare students for the graduate work or
professional employment in astronomy, astrophysics and related field. The
curriculum combines courses and research in astronomy and astrophysics with a
strong foundation in physics and mathematics. The major requires 36 units
of coursework.
Required
Preparatory Courses
|
Astronomy
|
ASTR
250
Fundamentals
of Astronomy
|
|
|
|
|
Math
|
MATH 124 or
125 Calculus
|
MATH 129
Calculus
|
MATH 223
Vector Calculus
|
MATH 254
Ordinary Differential Equations
|
|
Physics
|
PHYS 151
Intro. to
Mechanics
|
PHYS 152
Intro.
to Thermodynamics
&
Relativity
|
PHYS 251
Intro.
to Electricity & magnetism
|
PHYS 252
Intro.
to Optics & Quantum Theory
|
Required
Major Courses
|
Astronomy
|
ASTR
300A&300B
Astronomy
& Astrophysics 2
semesters
|
ASTR
302
Observational
Astronomy
|
ASTR
400A
Stellar
Astrophysics
|
ASTR
400b
Galactic
& Extragalactic
Astrophysics
|
ASTR
492, 498 or 499
Senior
Independent
Research
|
|
Physics
|
PHYS
305
Computational
Physics
|
PHYS
321
Theoretical
Mechanics
I
|
PHYS
426
Thermal
Physics
|
PHYS
331
Electricity
&
Magnetism
I
|
PHYS
371
Quantum
Theory I
|
Typical Four-Year Plan (Astronomy
major only)
|
Year
|
Fall Semester
|
|
Spring Semester
|
|
|
|
Course
Number
|
Title
(units)
|
Course
Number
|
Title
(units)
|
|
One
|
MATH 124
(or 125)
|
Calculus
(3 or 5)
|
MATH
129
|
Calculus
(3)
|
|
|
PHYS
151
|
Intro
Mechanics (4)
|
PHYS
152
|
Intro
Thermo & Relative. (4)
|
|
|
ENGL
101
|
Composition
(3)
|
ENGL
102
|
Composition
(3)
|
|
|
--
|
Foreign
Lang. (4)
|
--
|
Foreign
Lang. (4)
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
ASTR
250
|
Fund. of Astr. (3)
|
|
Two
|
MATH
223
|
Vector
Calc. (4)
|
PHYS
252
|
Intr Optic & QM (4)
|
|
|
PHYS
251
|
Intro
E & M (4)
|
PHYS
321
|
Theor. Mech. I (3)
|
|
|
PHYS
305
|
Comput. Phys. (3)
|
ASTR
302
|
Upper
Div Lab (3)
|
|
|
MATH
254
|
Diff. Equa. (3)
|
ASTR
296
|
Research
Sem. (1)
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
--
|
Elective
|
|
Three
|
ASTR
300A
|
Astr & Astrop I (3)
|
ASTR
300B
|
Astr & Astrop II (3)
|
|
|
PHYS
331
|
E
& M I (3)
|
PHYS
426
|
Thermal
Physics (3)
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
PHYS
371
|
Quant.
Theo. I (3)
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
--
|
Elective
|
|
Four
|
ASTR
400A
|
Stellar
Astro (3)
|
ASTR
400B
|
Gal
& Extragal Astrop (3)
|
|
|
ASTR
492, 498 or 499
|
Independent
Study (3)
|
--
|
Elective
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
--
|
Elective
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
--
|
Elective
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
Many
astronomy majors choose and double major in physics as well. In that
case, the recommended 4-year plan is as follows:
Typical Double Major Four-Year
Plan
(Astronomy & Physics)
|
Year
|
Fall Semester
|
|
Spring Semester
|
|
|
|
Course
Number
|
Title
(units)
|
Course
Number
|
Title
(units)
|
|
One
|
MATH
124 (or 125)
|
Calculus
(3 or 5)
|
MATH
129
|
Calculus
(3)
|
|
|
PHYS
151
|
Intro
Mechanics (4)
|
PHYS
152
|
Intro
Thermo & Relative. (4)
|
|
|
ENGL
101
|
Composition
(3)
|
ENGL
102
|
Composition
(3)
|
|
|
--
|
Foreign
Lang. (4)
|
--
|
Foreign
Lang. (4)
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
ASTR
250
|
Fund. of Astr. (3)
|
|
Two
|
MATH
223
|
Vector
Calc. (4)
|
PHYS
252
|
Intr Optic & QM (4)
|
|
|
PHYS
251
|
Intro
E & M (4)
|
PHYS
321
|
Theor. Mech. I (3)
|
|
|
PHYS
305
|
Comput. Phys. (3)
|
ASTR
302
|
Upper
Div Lab (3)
|
|
|
MATH
254
|
Diff. Equa. (3)
|
ASTR
296
|
Research
Sem. (1)
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
PHYS 204
|
Math.
Methods
|
|
Three
|
ASTR
300A
|
Astr & Astrop I (3)
|
ASTR
300B
|
Astr & Astrop II (3)
|
|
|
PHYS
320
|
Optics
(3)
|
PHYS
426
|
Thermal
Physics (3)
|
|
|
PHYS
331
|
E
& M I (3)
|
PHYS
332
|
E
& M II (3)
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
--
|
Elective
|
|
|
PHYS
371
|
Quant Theo
I (3)
|
|
|
|
Four
|
ASTR
400A
|
Stellar
Astro (3)
|
ASTR
400B
|
Gal
& Extragal Astrop (3)
|
|
|
ASTR
492, 498 or 499
|
Independent
Study (3)
|
PHYS
382
|
Meth
of Exp Phys II (3)
|
|
|
PHYS
381
|
Meth
of Exp Phys I (3)
|
PHYS
422
|
Theo Mech II (3)
|
|
|
PHYS
472
|
Quant
Apps (3)
|
PHYS
4xx
|
Physics
Elective*
|
|
|
--
|
Elective
|
--
|
Elective
|
*One of PHYS 405, 450, 460, 473, 475, 476, 481, 482, 498
Concentrations
in theoretical astrophysics and in astronomical instrumentation are also
available to majors. These concentrations are informal programs of mentoring
and research opportunities for students with high academic standing. Interested
students should talk to their departmental advisor about these programs.
Prospective
students should be aware that the curriculum for the major in Astronomy is very
demanding and requires solid preparation in high school mathematics and
science. A student who lacks such preparation should expect to take longer than
four years to complete the degree requirements.
Minors
The
Astronomy major does not require a minor subject.
Teaching Majors
The
Astronomy Department does not offer a teaching major in astronomy. Students
interested in secondary school science may pursue a BS in Science Education
with a concentration in physics or in earth sciences (which includes
astronomy). A minor in science education is available for students completing a
BS in Astronomy by completing STCH 250, 310, 410, 420, 499 and one of the
following: CHEM 437A, GEOS 401, PHYS 437 or BIOC 433, plus ECOL 401. This
series of courses meets the requirements for students who wish to complete
student teaching (STCH 494A and STCH 496A) in pursuit of an Arizona teaching application.
Faculty Advisors
Faculty
advisors are assigned to each student with Astronomy as their major. Check with
the Department Office if you do not know who your advisor is and the staff will
be able to help you. If you wish to change advisors, simply file a written
request with the Department Office. We strongly recommend that you visit with
your advisor at least once a semester, to review your progress and plan your
course selection for the following year. Your advisor can also be a valuable
source of information and support for more general matters, and a reference for
scholarships, job applications, graduate school, etc.
List of Undergraduate Faculty Advisors
