Astronomy B.A.

The astronomy option provides a thorough study of astronomy and astrophysics as well as a solid background in physics and mathematics. Graduates from this program have gone on to graduate programs in astronomy and astrophysics while others have found career opportunities at national astronomical observatories.

Bachelor of Arts - Physics; Astronomy Option

College Humanities & Sciences

Catalog Year: 2014-2015

Degree Specific Credits: 65

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Lower Division Physics Core

Rule: Must complete all of the courses in one of the two options:

Note: Calculus-based physics sequence is strongly recommended.

Note: The Physics with Calculus series (PHSX 215N - 218N) is strongly recommended.

10 Total Credits Required

College Physics

Rule: May complete all of the following courses

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PHSX 205N - College Physics I
Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., M 122 or 151 or equivalent, and prereq. or coreq. PHSX 206N.  Mechanics, sound, and heat.  For non-physical science majors.  This course satisfies the lecture portion of medical school requirements in general physics.  Credit not allowed for both PHSX 205N-207N and 215N-217N.
 4 Credits
Show Description PHSX 206N - College Physics I Laboratory
Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq. or coreq., PHSX 205N.  Mechanics, sound, and heat.  For non-physical science majors.  This course satisfies the laboratory portion of medical school requirements in general physics.  Credit not allowed for both PHSX 206N-208N and 216N-218N.
 1 Credits
Show Description PHSX 207N - College Physics II
Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq. PHSX 205N and prereq. or coreq., PHSX 208N.  Electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics.  For non-physical science majors.  This course satisfies the lecture portion of medical school requirements in general physics.  Credit not allowed for both PHSX 205N-207N and 215N-217N.
 4 Credits
Show Description PHSX 208N - College Physics II Laboratory
Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., PHSX 206N, prereq, or coreq., PHSX 207N.  Electricity, magnetism, light and modern physics.  For non-physical science majors.  This course satisfies the laboratory portion of medical school requirements in general physics.  Credit not allowed for both PHSX 206N-208N and 216N-218N.
 1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 10 Total Credits Required

Physics with Calculus

Rule: May complete all of the following courses:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PHSX 215N - Fund of Physics w/Calc I
Offered autumn. Prereq. or coreq., PHSX 216N and M 171 or equiv. This course satisfies the lecture portion of medical and technical school requirements in general physics. Mechanics, fluids, waves and sound. Credit not allowed for both PHSX 215N-216N-217N-218N and 205N-206N-207N-208N.
 4 Credits
Show Description PHSX 216N - Physics Laboratory I w/Calc
Offered autumn. Coreq., PHSX 215N. This course satisfies the laboratory portion of medical and technical school requirements in general physics. Mechanics, fluids, waves, and sound. Credit not allowed for both PHSX 215N-216N-217N-218N and 205N-206N-207N-208N.
 1 Credits
Show Description PHSX 217N - Fund of Physics w/Calc II
Offered spring. Prereq., PHSX 215N, and prereq. or coreq. PHSX 218, and prereq. or coreq., M 172 or equivalent. This course satisfies the lecture portion of medical and technical school requirements in general physics. Heat, electricity, magnetism, and light. Credit not allowed for both PHSX 215N-216N-217N-218N and 205N-206N-207N-208N.
 4 Credits
Show Description PHSX 218N - Physics Laboratory II w/Calc
Offered spring. Prereq., PHSX 215N, coreq., PHSX 217N. This course satisfies the laboratory portion of medical and technical school requirements in general physics. Heat, electricity, magnetism, and light. Credit not allowed for both PHSX 215N-216N-217N-218N and 205N-206N-207N-208N.
 1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 10 Total Credits Required

Lower Division Astronomy Core

Rule: Must complete all of the courses in one of the two options:

4 Total Credits Required

Astronomy Core: Option 1

Rule: May complete all of the following courses

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ASTR 132N - Elementary Astronomy II
Offered spring. Prereq., high school algebra and geometry. An introduction to stars, stellar evolution, galaxies, and the universe.
 3 Credits
Show Description ASTR 135N - Elementary Astronomy Lab II
Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., ASTR 132N. Laboratory exercises in stellar and galactic astronomy.
 1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 4 Total Credits Required

Astronomy Core: Option 2

Rule: May complete the following course

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ASTR 142N - The Evolving Universe
Offered spring. Prereq., M 151 or equiv. Overview of recent developments in planetary system formation, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Some astronomical observing required outside of normal class hours.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 4 Total Credits Required

Upper Division Physics Core

Rule: Must complete the following courses

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PHSX 301 - Intro Theoretical Physics
Offered spring. Prereq., M 273; coreq., PHSX 217N-218N. Selected topics from applied linear algebra, ordinary and partial differential equations, vector analysis, complex variables, and Fourier series. Applications to classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 311 - Oscillations and Waves
Offered autumn. Prereq., PHSX 217N-218N or 207N-208N; Prereq. or coreq. M 273. Detailed study of oscillations and waves at the intermediate level, to develop physical intuition and mathematical skills needed for analyzing a wide range of periodic phenomena encountered in physics.
 2 Credits
Show Description PHSX 343 - Modern Physics
Offered autumn. Prereq., one year of college physics; coreq., M 273. Includes historical background for development of modern physics and an introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics. Credit not allowed for graduate degree in physics.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 461 - Quantum Mechanics I
Offered autumn. Prereq., PHSX 311, PHSX 343; prereq. or coreq., M 311.   Introduction to quantum mechanics. Topics include Schroedinger equation, piecewise constant potential, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom, angular momentum theory, electron spin.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 499 - Senior Capstone Seminar
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior or senior standing in physics. Each student will present a seminar on research performed prior to or during their senior year.
 1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 12 Total Credits Required

Upper Division Astronomy Core

Rule: Must complete the following courses

Note: ASTR 351 and ASTR 362 are recommended as well

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ASTR 353 - Galactic Astrophysics
Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., ASTR 132N, PHSX 217N-218N, M 273. The nature of the Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies, galactic evolution, the large scale structure of the universe, active galaxies and quasars, and cosmology, including the early universe.
 3 Credits
Show Description ASTR 363 - Stellar Astr & Astrophys I
Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., ASTR 132N, M 273, and PHSX 217N-218N; PHSX 343 recommended. Detailed application of physical laws to determine the nature of the stars; analysis of stellar spectra and atmospheres; solar astrophysics; structure of stars and their evolution.
 3 Credits
Show Description ASTR 365 - Stellar Ast & Astrophys II
Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., ASTR 363. Continuation of ASTR 363.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 9 Total Credits Required

Major Electives

Rule: Complete the following subcategories of courses

12 Total Credits Required

Physics Electives

Rule: Choose 3 of the following courses

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PHSX 320 - Classical Mechanics
Offered autumn. Prereq., PHSX 301, M 311. Topics in classical mechanics at the intermediate level, emphasizing Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 327 - Optics
Offered spring. Prereq., PHSX 311. Intermediate level study of light and optics, including geometrical optics, wave optics, optical instruments, coherence, polarization, and special topics.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 423 - Electricity & Magnetism I
Offered autumn. Prereq, PHSx 301. Electricity and magnetism at the intermediate level.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 425 - Electricity & Magnetism II
Offered spring. Prereq., PHSX 423. Continuation of PHSX 423. Electricity and magnetism at the intermediate level.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 446 - Thermodyn & Stat Mech
Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., PHSX 343; coreq., M 311. Topics in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 462 - Quantum Mechanics II
Offered spring. Prereq., PHSX 461 or consent of instr. Advanced topics in quantum mechanics including linear vector spaces and Dirac notation, quantum dynamics, time-dependent perturbation theory, and scattering theory.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 9 Total Credits Required

Physics Laboratory Electives

Rule: Choose 1 of the following laboratory courses

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ASTR 362 - Observational Astronomy
Offered autumn even-numbered years.  Prereq., ASTR 132N or 142N, PHXS 217N-218N.  Laboratory study of the probabilistic behavior of light, data acquisition with telescopes, digital imaging and spectroscopy.  Emphasis on fundamental statistical tools, scientific computer programming, and written and oral presentation of scientific results.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 323 - Intermediate Physics Lab
Offered spring. Prereq., PHSX 217N-218N or PHSX 207N-208N and PHSX 311. Laboratory course in the application of analog and digital electronics to experimental physics, with additional emphasis on data analysis techniques.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 444 - Advanced Physics Lab
Offered autumn. Prereq., PHSX 343 or equiv., PHSX 327 or equiv.; PHSX 322 suggested but not required. Advanced experiments in classical and modern physics, including optics, spectroscopy, laser science, atomic, nuclear, and particle physics, Data analysis techniques for experimental scientists. Recommended for students entering graduate school in any experimental science.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Math Requirements

Rule: Complete the following courses

Note: M 317, M 412, and M 418 are recommended as well

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description M 171 - Calculus I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 122 or 151 or ALEKS placement >= 5.  Differential calculus, including limits, continuous functions, Intermediate Value Theorem, tangents, linear approximation, inverse functions, implicit differentiation, extreme values and the Mean Value Theorem.  Integral Calculus including antiderivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
 4 Credits
Show Description M 172 - Calculus II
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 171 or 181. Techniques of Integration. Area computations. Improper integrals. Infinite series and various convergence tests. Power series. Taylor's Formula. Polar coordinates. Parametric curves.
 4 Credits
Show Description M 273 - Multivariable Calculus
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 172 or 182. Calculus of functions of several variables; differentiation and elementary integration. Vectors in the plane and space.
 4 Credits
Show Description M 311 - Ordinary Diff Equations/System
Offered autumn. Prereq., M 273. Ordinary differential equations. Systems of linear differential equations from a matrix viewpoint.  Series solutions. Existence and uniqueness for initial value problems.  Numerical methods. Stability and selected topics. M 317 computer lab recommended.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 15 Total Credits Required

Computer Science Electives

Rule: Choose 1 of the following courses

Note: PHSX 333 or CSCI 250 is strongly recommended.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description CSCI 100 - Intro to Programming
Offered autumn and spring.  Elementary programming techniques using the Visual BASIC programming language. A wide range of primarily nonmathematical programs will be written by the student and run on a computer. (Two hours independent lab per week.) Credit not allowed for both CSCI 100 and CSCI 110.
 3 Credits
Show Description CSCI 135 - Fund of Computer Science I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., computer programming experience in a language such as BASIC, Pascal, C, etc.; coreq., M 095 or consent of instr. CSCI 104 highly recommended as prereq. or coreq.  Fundamental computer science concepts using the high level structured programming language, Java.
 3 Credits
Show Description CSCI 250 - Computer Mdlng/Science Majors
Offered autumn. Prereq., basic computer and spreadsheet literacy; coreq., M 162 or 171.  An introduction to computer modeling in the sciences using spreadsheets and a programming language.  Integrates principles of math, computer science and science.  A student can take at most one of CSCI 172, CSCI 250, CRT 280, and CRT 281 for credit.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHSX 333 - Computational Physics
Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., PHSX 217N-218N; coreq., any upper-division PHXS course. Solution of advanced problems in physics using computational methods. Students will learn a variety of numerical methods, including FORTRAN programming techniques.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Foreign Language

Note: Students must also complete a 2 semester language sequence or have equivalent placement