BS in Physics and Astronomy

The BS in Physics and Astronomy degree is intended primarily for students with an interest in astronomy or related aspects of space science. It provides the solid foundation in physics needed for such careers, and also provides a background in astronomy.

A grade average of C or better in the required science courses is required in this program.

Graduation Requirements

Introductory Physics ∨

PHYS 0174 & 0175 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1 & 2
OR
PHYS 0475 & 0476 Intro to Physics, Science and Engineering 1 & 2
PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics for Science and Engineering

Introductory Astronomy ∨

ASTRON 0113 or 0413 Introduction to Astronomy

Additional Physics ∨

PHYS 0477 Introduction to Thermodynamics, Relativity, and Quantum Theory
PHYS 1310 Undergraduate Seminar
PHYS 1321 Computational Methods in Physics
PHYS 1331 Mechanics
PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 1351 Intermediate Electricity/Magnetism
PHYS 1370 Quantum Mechanics

Additional Astronomy ∨

ASTRON 1120 Stellar Structure
ASTRON 1121 Galaxies and Cosmology
ASTRON 1122 Solar System and Exoplanets
ASTRON 1263 Techniques of Astronomy

4 Credits of Laboratory Courses ∨

Choose 4 credit hours of laboratory courses:

PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurement
PHYS 0525 Analog and Digital Electronics
PHYS 1361 Wave Motion and Optics
PHYA 1426 Modern Physics Laboratory

Mathematics ∨

MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
MATH 0280 Linear Algebra
MATH 0290 Differential Equations
*or the corresponding honors courses

3 Credits of Science Electives ∨

Choose 3 credit hours of science electives:

CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2
CHEM 1410 Physical Chemistry 1
CS 0401 Intermediate Programming Using Java
CS 0445 Data Structures
GEOL 0040 Physical Geology
GEOL 1410 Exploration Geophysics
GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets
MATH 1470 Partial Differential Equations
MATH 1550 Vector Analysis and Applications
MATH 1560 Complex Variables and Applications
PHYS 0481 Applications of Modern Physics
PHYS 1371 Quantum Mechanics 2
PHYS 1372 Electromagnetic Theory
PHYS 1373 Mathematical Methods of Physics
PHYS 1378 Introduction to Nuclear Particle Physics
STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability
STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

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Two areas of concentration are available for the BS in Physics and Astronomy.  Graduate School Preparation is recommended for students who are planning to apply to a graduate program in physics or astronomy.  Education is intended for students who are planning to have a teaching career in secondary education.

View Physics and Astronomy degree requirements (PDF) »

Graduation Requirements - Graduate School Preparation

Introductory Physics ∨

PHYS 0174 & 0175 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1 & 2, PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics Science and Engineering
OR
PHYS 0475 & 0476 Intro to Physics, Science and Engineering 1 & 2, PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements
PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements

Introductory Astronomy ∨

ASTRON 0113 or 0413 Introduction to Astronomy

Additional Physics ∨

PHYS 0477 Introduction to Thermodynamics, Relativity, and Quantum Theory
PHYS 1310 Undergraduate Seminar
PHYS 1321 Computational Methods in Physics
PHYS 1331 Mechanics
PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 1351 Intermediate Electricity/Magnetism
PHYS 1370 Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 1371 Quantum Mechanics 2
PHYS 1372 Electromagnetic Theory
PHYS 1373 Mathematical Methods of Physics

Additional Astronomy ∨

ASTRON 1120 Stellar Structure
ASTRON 1121 Galaxies and Cosmology
ASTRON 1122 Solar System and Exoplanets
ASTRON 1263 Techniques of Astronomy

7 Credits of Laboratory Courses ∨

Choose 7 credit hours of laboratory courses:

PHYS 0525 Analog and Digital Electronics
PHYS 1361 Wave Motion and Optics
PHYA 1426 Modern Physics Laboratory

Mathematics ∨

MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
MATH 0280 Linear Algebra
MATH 0290 Differential Equations
*or the corresponding honors courses

3 Credits of Science Electives ∨

Choose 3 credit hours of science electives:

CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2
CHEM 1410 Physical Chemistry 1
CS 0401 Intermediate Programming Using Java
CS 0445 Data Structures
GEOL 0040 Physical Geology
GEOL 1410 Exploration Geophysics
GEOL 1701 Geology of the Planets
MATH 1470 Partial Differential Equations
MATH 1550 Vector Analysis and Applications
MATH 1560 Complex Variables and Applications
PHYS 0481 Applications of Modern Physics
PHYS 1378 Introduction to Nuclear Particle Physics
STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability
STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

Graduation Requirements - Education

Introductory Physics ∨

PHYS 0174 & 0175 Basic Physics, Science and Engineering 1 & 2
OR
PHYS 0475 & 0476 Intro to Physics, Science and Engineering 1 & 2

Introductory Astronomy ∨

ASTRON 0113 or 0413 Introduction to Astronomy

Additional Physics ∨

PHYS 0477 Introduction to Thermodynamics, Relativity, and Quantum Theory
PHYS 1310 Undergraduate Seminar
PHYS 1331 Mechanics
PHYS 1351 Intermediate Electricity/Magnetism

Additional Astronomy ∨

ASTRON 1120 Stellar Structure
ASTRON 1121 Galaxies and Cosmology
ASTRON 1122 Solar System and Exoplanets

8 Credits of Laboratory Courses ∨

Choose 8 credit hours of Laboratory Courses:
ASTRON 1263 Techniques of Astronomy
PHYS 0219 Basic Lab Physics Science and Engineering or PHYS 0520 Modern Physical Measurements
PHYS 0525 Analog and Digital Electronics
PHYS 1361 Wave Motion and Optics
PHYS 1426 Modern Physics Laboratory

Mathematics ∨

MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
MATH 0280 Linear Algebra
MATH 0290 Differential Equations
*or the corresponding honors courses

Chemistry ∨

CHEM 0110 General Chemistry 1
CHEM 0120 General Chemistry 2

Science Electives ∨

Choose 3 credit hours of science electives:
PHYS 0481 Applications of Modern Physics
PHYS 1341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
PhHYS 1370 Quantum Mechanics 1

Education Related Courses ∨

PSYED 1001 Introduction to Educational Psychology
ADMPS 1001 Social Foundations of Education
IL 1430 Intro to Science Education
IL 1580  Foundations of Special Education

 

Suggested sequence of courses for the B.S. in Physics and Astronomy

Semester Term (1) Fall (2) Spring (3) Fall (4) Spring (5) Fall (6) Spring (7) Fall (8) Spring
Astronomy       0113 or 0413 1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122 1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122
Physics 0174 or 0475 0175 or 0476 0219 or 0520, 0477   1321, 1351 1310, 1331, 1341 1361, 1370  
Math 0220 or 0230 0230 or 0240 0240, 0290 0280        
Electives               Science

Suggested sequence of courses for more advanced students

Semester Term (1) Fall (2) Spring (3) Fall (4) Spring (5) Fall (6) Spring (7) Fall (8) Spring
Astronomy       0113 or 0413 1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122 1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122
Physics 0475 0476 0520, 0477 1331 1321, 1351, 1370 1310, 1341 1361  
Math 0230 0240, 0280 0290          
Electives               Science

Suggested sequence of courses for the B.S. in Physics and Astronomy- Graduate School Preparation

Semester Term (1) Fall (2) Spring (3) Fall (4) Spring (5) Fall (6) Spring (7) Fall (8) Spring
Astronomy       0113 or 0413 1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122 1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122
Physics 0174 or 0475 0175 or 0476 0219 or 0520, 0477   1321, 1351, 1361 1310, 1331, 1341 1370, 1373 1371, 1372
Math 0220 or 0230 0230 or 0240 0240, 0290 0280        
Electives                

Suggested sequence of courses for more advanced students

Semester Term (1) Fall (2) Spring (3) Fall (4) Spring (5) Fall (6) Spring (7) Fall (8) Spring
Astronomy       0113 or 0413 1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122 1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122
Physics 0475 0476 0520, 0477 1331 1321, 1351, 1370 1310, 1341, 1371 1361, 1373 1372
Math 0230 0240, 0280 0290          
Electives                

Suggested sequence of courses for the B.S. in Physics and Astronomy- Education

Semester Term (1) Fall (2) Spring (3) Fall (4) Spring (5) Fall (6) Spring (7) Fall (8) Spring
Astronomy     0113 or 0413   1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122 1120 or 1263 1121 or 1122
Physics 0174 or 0475 0175 or 0476 0219 or 0520, 0477   1351 1310, 1331 1361  
Math 0220 or 0230 0230 or 0240 0240, 0290 0280        
Electives CHEM 0110 CHEM 0120   Science     Ed Ed