Astronomy (BA)

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Please refer to the Four-Year Plan for departmental recommended path towards graduation.

Program Educational Goals:

Goal 1: “Read critically, analyze arguments and information, and engage in constructive ideation”. As Astronomy is an observational science, our students will be required to quantitatively analyze a range of natural phenomena, from the basic physical motion of objects (Phys 207/208/227/228) to observing the universe as a whole (Phys 469), providing them the necessary tools scientifically analyze the world as whole.
Goal 2: “Communicate effectively in writing, orally, and through creative expression”. In addition to taking ENGL 110, we anticipate that most of our Astronomy BA majors will be will take History of Physics (PHYS 480) or Computational Physics (PHYS 460) as an upper level elective, courses that satisfies the university’s second writing requirement.
Goal 3: “Work collaboratively and independently within and across a variety of cultural context and a spectrum of differences”. Astronomy is, by its very nature, a “global” science, requiring observational instruments across every continent as well as in space. As these instruments are located in diverse countries and utilize a multitude of scientists based throughout the world, we believe that the introduction of the Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy will provide interested students the opportunity to join this global conversation.
Goal 4: “Critically evaluate the ethical implications of what they say and do”. All of our departmental majors are required to participate in the department’s FYE (Prospectives on Physics and Astronomy, Phys 169) which, which among many goals, aims to inform our students on the ethical behavior expected of a scientist.
Goal 5: “Reason quantitatively, computationally, and scientifically”. In many ways, Astronomy is the first “science”. By observing the patterns in the heavens, Astronomers over several millennia have attempted to quantify the motion of the earth and the heavens. In modern times, this includes computational simulations on a vast array of machines, ranging from smart phone apps to super computers. Because of this, we require all of our majors to take introduction to computer science (CISC 106), so that our students will be able to communicate and participate with the astrophysical community.

University Requirements:

ENGL 110 - Seminar in Composition (C- minimum)
First Year Seminar (FYS) (0-4 credits)
Discovery Learning Experience (DLE) (three credits)
Multicultural Requirement (three credits)
University Breadth Requirements (C- minimum):
- Creative Arts and Humanities (three credits)
- History and Cultural Change (three credits)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (three credits)
- Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology (three credits)
Capstone Experience

College Requirements:

College Breadth Requirements:

The College Breadth requirements are in addition to the University Breadth requirement. Up to three credits from each of the University Breadth Requirement categories may be used to simultaneously satisfy these College of Arts and Sciences Breadth Requirements. Minimum grade C- required for courses used to satisfy College Breadth.

GROUP A: Creative Arts and Humanities (Nine credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units)
GROUP B: History and Cultural Change (Nine credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units)
GROUP C: Social and Behavioral Sciences (Nine credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units)
GROUP D: Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology (Ten credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units and including a minimum of one course with an associated laboratory)

*If the grade earned is sufficient, a course may be applied toward more than one requirement (e.g., breadth and major requirements), but the credits are counted only once toward the total credits for graduation. If all but one course in a group has been taken in one department or program, a course cross-listed with that program will not satisfy the distribution requirement.

Foreign Language:

Completion of the intermediate-level course (107 or 202) in an ancient or modern language with minimum grades of D-.
- The number of credits (0-12) needed and initial placement will depend on the number of years of high school study of foreign language.
  - Students with four or more years of high school work in a single foreign language, or who have gained proficiency in a foreign language by other means, may attempt to fulfill the requirement in that language by taking an exemption examination through the Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department.

Mathematics:

The math requirement must be completed by the time a student has earned 60 credits. Students who transfer into the College of Arts and Sciences with 45 credits or more must complete this requirement within two semesters.

Complete one of the following four options (minimum grade D-):

Option One:

MATH 113 - Contemporary Mathematics Credit(s): 3 (designed for students who do not intend to continue to the study of mathematics)

Option Two:

One of the following:

MATH 114 - College Mathematics and Statistics Credit(s): 3 (designed for students who do not intend to continue the study of mathematics)
MATH 115 - Pre-Calculus Credit(s): 3 (designed for students who intend to continue the study of mathematics)
MATH 117 - Pre-Calculus for Scientists and Engineers Credit(s): 4 (designed to prepare students for MATH 241 )

Option Three:

Successful completion of any 200-level or higher mathematics course except: MATH 201 , MATH 202 , MATH 205 , MATH 251 , MATH 252 , MATH 253 , and MATH 266 .

Option Four:

Successful performance on a proficiency test in mathematics administered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences (0 credits awarded).

Second Writing Requirement:

A Second Writing Requirement approved by the College of Arts and Sciences. This course must be taken after completion of 60 credit hours, completed with a minimum grade of C-, and the section enrolled must be designated as satisfying the requirement in the academic term completed.

Major Requirements:

CISC 106 - General Computer Science for Engineers Credit(s): 3
CHEM 103 - General Chemistry Credit(s): 3
and
CHEM 133 - General Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 1
MATH 231 - Integrated Calculus IA Credit(s): 4
and
MATH 232 - Integrated Calculus IB Credit(s): 3
or
MATH 241 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus A Credit(s): 4
MATH 242 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus B Credit(s): 4
MATH 243 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus C Credit(s): 4
PHYS 133 - Introduction to Astronomy Credit(s): 4
or
PHYS 144 - Concepts of the Universe Credit(s): 3
or
PHYS 145 - Black Holes and Cosmic Evolution Credit(s): 3
PHYS 169 - Perspectives on Physics and Astronomy Credit(s): 1
PHYS 207 - Fundamentals of Physics I Credit(s): 3
and
PHYS 227 - Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory I Credit(s): 1
PHYS 208 - Fundamentals of Physics II Credit(s): 3
and
PHYS 228 - Fundamentials of Physics Laboratory II Credit(s): 1
PHYS 333 - Fundamentals of Astrophysics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 469 - Observational Astronomy Credit(s): 3
Nineteen elective credits in Physics, of which 15 must be at the 300-level or higher.

Note:

Students may double major in Physics (BA) and Astronomy, however, with the exception of PHYS 169 , PHYS 207 and PHYS 227 , PHYS 208 and PHYS 228 , and PHYS 245 , PHYS courses cannot at the same time count towards the Physics (BA) or Astronomy major and/or Physics Minor .

Electives:

After required courses are completed, sufficient elective credits must be taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree.