Contents
Catalog Links
Share

Physics Area (Astrophysics Track) – Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science in Physics - Astrophysics Track helps to prepare students who wish to pursue a graduate-level degree in physics and astrophysics and will be applying for admission to graduate schools in physics in those fields. This program combines rigorous upper level courses in advanced topics in astrophysics (with an emphasis on connections to concepts seen in core physics classes) along with numerous opportunities to pursue research projects with faculty members. The main goal of this program is to provide students with both a broad base of knowledge regarding currently active fields in modern astrophysics coupled with extensive experience in research, thus making the students very competitive for admission into graduate programs.

Program Requirements

General Education

MATH 175Calculus I

4
ASTR 125 Astronomical and Physics Methods to Explore the Universe (NSC2)

3
ASTR 499CSenior Thesis I

2
ASTR 499DSenior Thesis II

1
Total Credit Hours:37

Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University.

Area Requirements

Astrophysics Core Requirements

PHYS 231Engineering Physics I

4
PHYS 231AEngineering Physics I Lab

1
PHYS 232Engineering Physics II

4
PHYS 232AEngineering Physics II Lab

1
PHYS 270Introduction to Scientific Computing

3
PHYS 340Experimental Physics

3
PHYS 353Concepts of Modern Physics I

4
PHYS 354Concepts of Modern Physics II

3
PHYS 381Computer Solutions to Engineering and Science Problems

3
PHYS 481Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers

3
MATH 275Calculus II

4
MATH 276Calculus III

4
MATH 363Differential Equations

3
CHEM 111Principles of Chemistry I

4
CHEM 112Principles of Chemistry II

4
Total Credit Hours:48

Astrophysics Track Requirements

ASTR 130Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology

3
ASTR 311Astrophysics I: Stars and Stellar Evolution

3
ASTR 312Astrophysics II: Galaxies and Cosmology

3
ASTR 324Radio Astronomy

3
ASTR 431Space Plasma Physics

3
ASTR 460High Energy Astrophysics

3
ASTR 498Senior Research

1
PHYS 332Electricity and Magnetism

4
PHYS 391Dynamics

3
PHYS 493Quantum Mechanics

3
ESS 303Planetary Geology

3
Three hours from the following technical electives:
PHYS 412Light and Physical Optics

3
ASTR 299Special Topics in Astronomy

3
SSE 299Selected Topics in Space Science and Engineering

3
SSE 399Selected Topics

1-4
 
SSE 476Directed Research

1-6
or
MATH 365Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

3
Total Credit Hours:35

Total Credit Hours: 120