Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Astronomy
Program Overview
The BA in Astronomy provides a theoretical foundation and practical experience in the field of astronomy. The program offers flexible coursework in astronomy, math, and physics that helps to facilitate double or secondary majors. Students develop skills in data analysis, computational methods, and science communication. This program prepares students for study in astronomy at the graduate level. The program is also good preparation for careers in data science, science education, public outreach, and related fields.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Office of Undergraduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.
Accelerated Master's Programs
Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the latter set of requirements.
The Bachelor of Arts in astronomy requires 120 credit hours, including 20 hours in astronomy, 26 hours in physics, 14 hours in math, 3 hours in computer programming, and 6 hours in technical electives.
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| Stars and Planets | |
| Galaxies and Cosmology | |
| Astronomical Techniques | |
| Astrophysics Seminar I | |
| Astrophysics Seminar II | |
| Stellar Physics | |
| The Local Universe | |
| Cosmology and the Structure of the Universe (Additional required courses) | |
| Dark Matter | |
MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
or MATH 124 | Calculus II |
MATH 223 | Calculus for Science and Engineering III | 3 |
or MATH 227 | Calculus III |
MATH 224 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
or MATH 228 | Differential Equations |
PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
or PHYS 123 | Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics |
PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
or PHYS 124 | Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism |
PHYS 221 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
PHYS 250 | Computational Methods in Physics | 3 |
PHYS 310 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
PHYS 313 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
PHYS 324 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
PHYS 331 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
ENGR 131 | Elementary Computer Programming | 3 |
| Advanced Instrumentation Laboratory | |
| Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics | |
| Electricity and Magnetism II | |
| Physical Optics | |
| Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II | |
Total Hours | 69 |
Six hours of mathematics and natural science (physics) are double-counted towards the SAGES breadth requirements, and one required math course is double-counted towards the SAGES Quantitative Reasoning requirement.