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2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
 
  Apr 25, 2025
 
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2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Astronomy - Science Breadth Concentration, BA

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Major Requirements

The BA in Astronomy requires 39 credits of course work as follows.

Specifications

  • Grade requirements: A minimum GPA of 2.0 in departmental courses is required for graduation.
  • Satisfactory/No Credit option: No PHYS or ASTRON courses beyond the introductory level may be taken on an S/NC basis.
  • Writing requirement: Students must complete at least one W-course in the major.
  • Related area: Mathematics satisfies the related area requirement for the Astronomy major.

Introductory Physics courses

Select one group

Introductory Astronomy course

Intermediate and advanced Physics courses

Laboratory courses

Intermediate and advanced Astronomy courses

Choose at least six credits

Note:

* GEOL 1701 - GEOLOGY OF THE PLANETS  may be substituted

Science electives

Choose at least six credits *

Note:

* Some of these courses have prerequisites

** If this course is taken as a science elective, it cannot be used to satisfy the requirement for nine credits of intermediate and advanced courses.

Prerequisite Mathematics courses

Course in the history and philosophy of science or science policy/management

Choose at least three credits

Writing or communication courses

Choose at least three credits

Science Breadth concentration

This concentration provides broader exposure to other sciences in comparison to the standard Astronomy BA, while going into greater depth in physics and astronomy than a more generic natural science major. With proper selection of courses, this concentration provides the necessary requirements to apply for admission to medical school while roughly matching the credit requirements of the Astronomy BA.

Reduced physics requirements

Note:

* PHYS 0481  is required for the Physics minor

Reduced writing requirements

The three credit writing or communication requirement is waived for students pursuing this concentration.

Added science requirements

Choose two of the three groups, totaling at least 16 credits

One of the following course groups

Added science electives

Choose one of the three tracks totaling at least six credits

Track 1

Track 2

Track 3

  • Two advanced courses in Biological Sciences (BIOSC), Bioengineering (BIOE), Chemistry (CHEM), Computer Science (CS), or Geology (GEOL).

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