Purpose

The Astronomy and Astrophysics B.A. major is for a student who:

• enjoys astronomy,
• likes to be challenged,
• enjoys solving puzzles,
• wants to pursue other interests and talents outside of astronomy,
• desires flexibility and choice in major requirements,
• has strong analytical skills and wants to develop them further,
• wants to keep options open for a variety of career fields.

The B.A. major is designed for students who are interested in astronomy as the subject of a liberal arts education, or as a background in the physical sciences for a wide range of career possibilities such as teaching, journalism, law or government or public policy, medicine, science writing and science in the media, visualization, and business.  The B.A. major allows greater flexibility in the selection of courses than does the B.S. because the focus is on breadth of knowledge rather than on depth or specialization.  Students who wish to pursue graduate studies in astronomy in the future should instead pursue the B.S. major.

Requirements

Students must complete at least 30 credit hours in the major, including the CASE Credit Hour and Residency Requirements and the following:

1. Mathematics Core. Complete both of the following:
   1. One (1) of the following:
      • MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I
      • MATH-M 211 Calculus I
   2. One (1) of the following:
      • MATH-M 120 Brief Survey of Calculus II
      • MATH-M 212 Calculus II
2. Physics Core. Complete a–c below:
   1. One (1) of the following:
      • PHYS-P 201 General Physics I
      • PHYS-P 221 Physics I
   2. One (1) of the following:
      • PHYS-P 202 General Physics II
      • PHYS-P 222 Physics II
   3. One (1) of the following:
      • PHYS-P 301 Physics III
      • PHYS-P 371 Radiation Science Fundamentals
3. Astronomy Core. Complete a–c below:
   1. AST-A 221 General Astronomy I
   2. AST-A 222 General Astronomy II
   3. AST-A 305 Modern Observational Techniques
4. Advanced Astronomy Courses.
   • Complete at least two (2) additional courses at the 300–400 level, excluding AST-X 390, AST-X 399, or AST-S 499.
5. Advanced Electives. Complete at least five (5) additional credit hours of electives at the 300–400 level selected from the following:
   • Additional Astronomy and Astrophysics courses
     • Any 300–400 level, including AST-X 390 and AST-X 399, but not AST-S 499
   • Probability/Statistics courses

     Select up to one (1) of the following courses:

     • MATH-K 310 Statistical Techniques
     • MATH-M 365 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
     • STAT-K 310 Statistical Techniques
     • STAT-S 320 Introduction to Statistics
   • Scientific Computing or Programming courses

     Select up to one (1) of the following courses:

     • CSCI-A 321 Computing Tools for Scientific Research
     • CSCI-C 311 Programming Languages
     • PHYS-P 325 Computing Skills for Physical Scientists
     • PHYS-P 410 Computing Applications in Physics
   • Data Mining courses
     • CSCI-B 461 Database Concepts
   • Visualization courses
     • CSCI-B 481 Interactive Graphics
   • Artificial Intelligence or Autonomous Robotics courses

     Select up to one (1) of the following courses:

     • CSCI-B 351 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Computer Simulation
     • CSCI-B 355 Autonomous Robotics
   • Science Writing courses

     Select up to one (1) of the following courses:

     • ENG-W 321 Advanced Technical Writing
     • ENG-W 350 Advanced Expository Writing
     • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (“Science Writing” topic only)
   • Mathematics or Physics courses
     • MATH-M 303 Linear Algebra for Undergraduates
     • MATH-M 311 Calculus III
     • MATH-M 336 Topics in Euclidean Geometry
     • MATH-M 343 Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications I
     • MATH-M 415 Elementary Complex Variables with Applications
     • MATH-M 455 Quantum Computing I
     • PHYS-P 309 Modern Physics Laboratory
     • PHYS-P 321 Techniques in Theoretical Physics
     • PHYS-P 331 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism I
     • PHYS-P 332 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism II
     • PHYS-P 340 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
     • PHYS-P 400 Analog and Digital Electronics
     • PHYS-P 441 Analytical Mechanics I
     • PHYS-P 451 Experiments in Modern Physics I
     • PHYS-P 453 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
     • PHYS-P 455 Quantum Computing I
     • PHYS-P 460 Modern Optics
   • Related course approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies

Students must also complete the B.A. degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.