Academics » Undergraduate Studies
If you are already registered for an introductory class (ASTR 105G or ASTR
110G), please check here for various information and links to individual
web pages for different sections.
For the location of our main classroom in the Biology Annex, BX102, look for
building 57 on this campus map.
To find the location of the on-campus Tombaugh Observatory, look for building 87
here.
A good listing of undergraduate opportunities to conduct astronomy research
can be found
here. There are many excellent summer programs spread
throughout the United States. They offer the chance to observe with
telescopes, and to analyze images and spectra of astronomical objects such
as extrasolar planets, hot stars, and distant galaxies.
If you are interested in applying to graduate schools in astronomy or in
physics, a description of the process, and helpful hints, can be found
here, and
here, and
a list of many astronomical departments and institutions worldwide can be found
here.
Undergraduate Courses
A complete listing of our undergraduate astronomy courses can be found
in the
online catalog. Here is a quick summary of our most popular courses.
1. We offer two 100-level courses which fulfill the general education Laboratory
Science requirement: ASTR 105G (The Planets), and ASTR 110G (Introduction to
Astronomy). Multiple sections of both of these courses are available every semester.
These classes include a two hour lab section each week, for 4 total credits.
2. We offer four 300-level courses which fulfill the general education Viewing
a Wider World requirement: ASTR 301V (Revolutionary Ideas in Science), ASTR
305V (The Search for Life in the Universe), ASTR 308V (Into the Final Frontier),
and 330V (Planetary Exploration). At least two of these courses are available
every semester.
3. We offer two 400-level courses (each one every other year): ASTR 401 (Topics in Modern
Astrophysics) and ASTR 402 (Introduction to Astronomical Observations and
Techniques).
Undergraduate Minor
The Astronomy Department is pleased to offer a minor degree in astronomy.
This provides an attractive opportunity for majors in a variety of scientific
fields to broaden their experiences and to prepare for graduate work in
astronomy or astrophysics. We have two additional minor tracks specifically
designed to address the needs and interests of students from the Colleges of
Education and Engineering. Any undergraduate may pursue any of the three
minor tracks, and all three tracks enable interested students to participate
in astronomical research during their undergraduate training.
The requirements for the astronomy minor tracks are as follows.
Show Regular Minor
Hide Regular Minor
The 5 requirements for the regular minor comprise 19 credits, distributed as follows.
| 1. 4 credits from among: |
| ASTR 105G, The Planets | 4 |
| ASTR 110G, Introduction to Astronomy | 4 |
| |
| 2. 6 credits from among: |
| ASTR 301V, Revolutionary Ideas in Science | 3 |
| ASTR 305V, The Search for Life in the Universe | 3 |
| ASTR 308V, Into the Final Frontier | 3 |
| ASTR 330V, Planetary Exploration | 3 |
| Note: Three credits of ASTR 400 (Undergraduate Research)
may replace one of these courses. |
| |
| 3. 3 or 6 credits from among: |
| ASTR 401, Topics in Modern Astrophysics | 3 |
| ASTR 402, Introduction to Astronomical Observations and Techniques | 3 |
| |
| 4. 0 to 6 credits from among: |
| ASTR 405, Astronomy and Astrophysics I | 3 |
| ASTR 406, Astronomy and Astrophysics II | 3 |
| ASTR 435, Observational Techniques I | 3 |
| Note: Three credits of ASTR 400 (Undergraduate Research) may
replace one of these courses, but not the same three if used above. |
| |
| 5. 3 or 0 credits (total of 9 between this and previous two categories) from among: | |
| A E 424, Aerospace Systems Engineering | 3 |
| BIOL 451, Physiology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| BIOL 467, Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 473, Ecology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| CHEM 360/GEOL 360, Geochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 431/CHEM 433, Physical Chemistry | 3 |
| C S 475, Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| C S 482, Database Management Systems I | 3 |
| C S 483, Introduction to Robotics | 3 |
| C S 491, Parallel Processing | 3 |
| E E 454, Antennas and Radiation | 3 |
| E E 460, Space System Mission Design and Analysis | 3 |
| E E 473/PHYS 473, Introduction to Optics | 3 |
| E E 478/PHYS 478, Optical Sources, Detectors, and Radiometry | 3 |
| GEOL 465, Isotope Geochemistry | 3 |
| GEOL 476, Marine Paleoecology | 3 |
| GPHY 451, Principles of Geophysics | 3 |
| MATH 471, Complex Variables | 3 |
| MATH 472, Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems | 3 |
| PHYS 451, Intermediate Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 461, Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 480, Thermodynamics | 3 |
| STAT 371, Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I | 3 |
| STAT 470, Probability: Theory and Application | 3 |
| STAT 480, Statistics: Theory and Applications | 3 |
| Note: Alternative 400-level courses in the physical sciences,
engineering, or related fields, including one-time seminars, may be proposed
on a case-by-case basis to fulfill this requirement, drawn from the fields of
astronomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, geology,
geophysics, mathematics, physics, statistics, or from engineering. Proposals
should include a clear justification that connects the course materials to a
particular topic in astronomy or astrophysics. |
Hide Regular Minor
Show Minor with emphasis on Engineering
Hide Minor with emphasis on Engineering
The 5 requirements for the engineering track minor comprise 18-19 credits,
distributed as follows.
| 1. 3 or 4 credits from among: |
| ASTR 105G, The Planets | 4 |
| ASTR 110G, Introduction to Astronomy | 4 |
| PHYS 215G, Engineering Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 216G, Engineering Physics II | 3 |
| |
| 2. 3 credits from among: |
| ASTR 301V, Revolutionary Ideas in Science | 3 |
| ASTR 305V, The Search for Life in the Universe | 3 |
| ASTR 308V, Into the Final Frontier | 3 |
| ASTR 330V, Planetary Exploration | 3 |
| |
| 3. 3 to 6 credits from among: |
| ASTR 401, Topics in Modern Astrophysics | 3 |
| ASTR 402, Introduction to Astronomical Observations and Techniques | 3 |
| |
| 4. 0 to 6 credits from among: |
| ASTR 400, Undergraduate Research | 3 |
| ASTR 405, Astronomy and Astrophysics I | 3 |
| ASTR 406, Astronomy and Astrophysics II | 3 |
| ASTR 435, Observational Techniques I | 3 |
| A E 428, Aerospace Capstone Design | 3 |
| E E 400, Undergraduate Research (in Electrical Engineering) | 3 |
| E E 418, Capstone Design I | 3 |
| E E 419, Capstone Design II | 3 |
| M E 400, Undergraduate Research (in Mechanical Engineering) | 3 |
| Note: Taking any of the non-astronomy classes for this
requirement requires prior approval from the head of astronomy on a
case-by-case basis, with a clear connection being established between the
proposed research or design project and a particular topic in astronomy or
astrophysics (astronomy instrumentation or observational projects are
particularly encouraged). |
| |
| 5. 6 or 3 credits (total of 12 between this and previous two categories) from among: | |
| A E 424, Aerospace Systems Engineering | 3 |
| BIOL 451, Physiology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| BIOL 467, Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 473, Ecology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| CHEM 360/GEOL 360, Geochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 431/CHEM 433, Physical Chemistry | 3 |
| C S 475, Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| C S 482, Database Management Systems I | 3 |
| C S 483, Introduction to Robotics | 3 |
| C S 491, Parallel Processing | 3 |
| E E 454, Antennas and Radiation | 3 |
| E E 460, Space System Mission Design and Analysis | 3 |
| E E 473/PHYS 473, Introduction to Optics | 3 |
| E E 478/PHYS 478, Optical Sources, Detectors, and Radiometry | 3 |
| GEOL 465, Isotope Geochemistry | 3 |
| GEOL 476, Marine Paleoecology | 3 |
| GPHY 451, Principles of Geophysics | 3 |
| MATH 471, Complex Variables | 3 |
| MATH 472, Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems | 3 |
| PHYS 451, Intermediate Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 461, Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 480, Thermodynamics | 3 |
| STAT 371, Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I | 3 |
| STAT 470, Probability: Theory and Application | 3 |
| STAT 480, Statistics: Theory and Applications. | 3 |
| Note: Alternative 400-level courses in the physical sciences,
engineering, or related fields, including one-time seminars, may be proposed
on a case-by-case basis to fulfill this requirement, drawn from the fields of
astronomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, geology,
geophysics, mathematics, physics, statistics, or from engineering. Proposals
should include a clear justification that connects the course materials to a
particular topic in astronomy or astrophysics. |
Hide Minor with emphasis on Engineering
Show Minor with emphasis on Education
Hide Minor with emphasis on Education
The 4 requirements for the education track minor comprise 18-20 credits,
distributed as follows.
| 1. 4 credits of
ASTR 105G, The Planets | 4 |
| |
| 2. 4 credits of
ASTR 110G, Introduction to Astronomy | 4 |
| |
| 3. 6 credits from among: |
| ASTR 301V, Revolutionary Ideas in Science | 3 |
| ASTR 305V, The Search for Life in the Universe | 3 |
| ASTR 308V, Into the Final Frontier | 3 |
| ASTR 330V, Planetary Exploration | 3 |
| |
| 4. 4–6 credits from among: |
| ASTR 400, Research in Astronomy | 1–3 |
| ASTR 408, Astronomy for Educators | 3 |
| EDUC 451, Methods of Teaching Elementary School Science | 3 |
| EDUC 463, Teaching Science at the Middle and High School Level | 3 |
| MATH 314, Math and Science with Technology | 3 |
| Note: This requirement will generally be fulfilled by two
3-credit courses. Students may request the 4 credit option instead, if an
appropriate topic and instructor for 1 credit of ASTR 400 are available. |
Hide Minor with emphasis on Education
The ASTR 402 course is a new class on offer for Spring 2013,
and we encourage all students interested in the Regular Minor or the Minor
with emphasis on Engineering to take it. Those who complete both ASTR 401 and
ASTR 402 will be able to use both courses toward fulfilling the requirements
of the minor degree.
Students interested in the astronomy minor degree should contact the
astronomy department head, or one of the other faculty members, as early as possible
to make sure they are well informed on the requirements. In particular, the
400-level courses require strong preparation in mathematics and physics.
Students should be comfortable with calculus, including integration and
differentiation, statistics and probability, and basic physics, including some
classical mechanics, thermodynamics, and modern physics.
Undergraduates must obtain the consent of the instructor to enroll in
ASTR 405, ASTR 406, or ASTR 435; approval is dependent upon
having the required skills and background.
To become an astronomy minor you will need to print and complete one of
the following PDF-format forms for the
regular,
engineering,
or education
minor track and have it signed by the astronomy department head Jon Holtzman.
You can declare your intent/interest in an Astronomy minor by filling out the College of
Arts and Sciences Request for Change of Major form. The official request to put the minor on your transcript is done using the Star Audit
system in your final semester, which will check to make sure that you have completed all
of the requirements.