Carina Nebula from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope

Astronomy Concentration

The B.S. in Physics with a Concentration in Astronomy emphasizes observational astronomy as well as  stellar and galactic astrophysics. This concentration is designed for students who desire an increased emphasis on image processing techniques and radiative processes and energy transport.

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Plan Your Degree

Disclaimer: This program map is intended ONLY as a guide for students to plan their course of study. It does NOT replace any information in the Undergraduate Catalog, which is the official guide for completing degree requirements.

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
C: ENGL 1101

English Composition I

3
M: MATH 1113

Precalculus

4
ASTR 2313

Astronomy

3
I: XIDS 2002

What do you know about: xx

2
T: CHEM 1211 + Lab

Principles of Chemistry I

4

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1101 with a C or better.
  • Complete Area M Math.

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
C: ENGL 1102

English Composition II

3
T: MATH 1634

Calculus I

4
T: CHEM 1212 + Lab

Principles of Chemistry II

4

I: Oral Communications

2

Core Option: A, S, or P

3

Milestones:

  • Complete ENGL 1102 with a C or better.
  • Complete Calculus I (MATH 1634) over the summer in order to start PHYS sequence in the fall, if needed. 

 

16 Fall Credit Hours + 16 Spring Credit Hours = 32 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
F: PHYS 2211 + Lab

Principles of Physics I

4
F: MATH 2644

Calculus II

4
MATH 2853 OR Elective

Elementary Linear Algebra or Elective

3
PHYS 2130

Sophomore Physics Seminar

1

Core Option: A, S, or P

3

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
F: PHYS 2212 + Lab

Principles of Physics II

4
MATH 3303

Ordinary Differential Equations

3
F: MATH 2654

Calculus III

4
ASTR 3683

Astronomy Research

1

Core Option: A, S, or P

3

Milestones:

  • Complete Principles of Physics sequence.
  • Complete Math up to ODE.

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 14 Spring Credit Hours = 29 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours
PHYS 3503

Modern Physics

3
PHYS 3113

Mechanics

3
ASTR 3133

Observational Astronomy

3

MATH Elective

3

Core Option: A, S, or P

3

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours
PHYS 3213

Thermodynamics

3
PHYS 3133

Electricity and Magnetism

3

ASTR 4103/4433 OR PHYS 4323/4333

3

Elective

3

Core Option: A, S, or P

3

 

15 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 30 Credit Hours

Term 1: Fall

Course Name Credit Hours

MATH Elective

3

PHYS Elective

3

PHYS Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

2

Term 2: Spring

Course Name Credit Hours

ASTR 4103/4433 OR PHYS 4323/4333

3

Elective

3

PHYS Elective

3

Elective

3

Core Option: A, S, or P

3

 

14 Fall Credit Hours + 15 Spring Credit Hours = 29 Credit Hours

Careers

white radar telescope on grass field

Career Opportunities

This degree may help you get work as the following:

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Astronomer
  • Data Scientist
  • Geophysicist
  • Lab Manager
  • Medical Physicist
  • Optical Engineer
  • Physics Teacher
  • Professor
  • Research Scientist

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Don't forget to check out Wolf Watch to explore degree requirements!