The BS degree is an intensive program of study providing stronger preparation for graduate school in astronomy, physics, or a closely related science, than does the BA. Students planning to pursue graduate study normally elect the BS program.

Concentration Requirements for BS degree in Physics and Astronomy

• Three of the following: AST 203, 232, 241 and 242.
• A total of six courses in physics at the 200 level or beyond: PHY 217, 218, 227, 235W, 237, 243W, 244W, 246 and PHY 250 (or close equivalents), or AST 393W (Senior Thesis). PHY 218 or 243W are recommended.
• Two courses in advanced mathematics: MTH 281 and MTH 282 or OPT 287 are recommended.
• Computer literacy requirement ⁶
• At least a 2.0 (C) average in astronomy, physics and mathematics courses must be maintained.
• The undergraduate astronomy advisor must approve all course choices.

A typical program of study for the last two years is:

Third Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 217 -- Electricity & Magnetism I	PHY 218 -- Electromagnetism II 1
PHY 235W -- Classical Mechanics	PHY 237 -- Quantum Mech. of Physical Systems 2, or PHY 227 -- Thermo. & Statistical Mech.
MTH 281 -- Fourier Series	Elective 6
AST 232 -- The Milky Way Galaxy 3	AST 241 -- Stellar Astrophysics 3
Fourth Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 243W -- Advanced Experimental Techniques I	AST 242 -- Galaxies and Cosmology 3
AST 203 -- Astronomical Techniques 3	PHY 246 -- Quantum Theory 2 or, PHY 227 -- Thermo. & Statistical Mech.
AST 393W -- Senior Project 4	Elective or Cluster
Elective or Cluster	MTH 282 -- Intro. Complex Variables

¹ Students continuing to graduate school in physics or in astronomy generally take the GRE Physics Exam during the Fall of their senior year. Before taking the GREs, it is strongly recommended that you have taken PHY 227, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, and that you review old copies of GRE exams available in the Physics/Optics/Astronomy Library, located on the 3rd floor of Bausch & Lomb Hall, room 374.

²Students who have already taken PHY 237 in their sophomore year should consider taking PHY 246 in either their junior or senior years. Students who have not taken PHY 237 in their sophomore year should take PHY 237 and 227 in their junior year.

³AST 203, AST 232, AST 241 and AST 242 are given every other year.

⁴All students with a grade point average greater than 3.0 are strongly encouraged to do a senior project in their senior year.

⁵Students with a grade point average greater than 3.0 can register for five courses per semester.

⁶The BS in Physics and Astronomy has a computer literacy requirement. This requirement can be satisfied by receiving a passing grade in an introductory college computing course (e.g. CSC 171 or ECE 114), or by PHY 256 (Computational Physics), or by completing a computing-based problem approved by the department's undergraduate physics advisor (possibly one associated with a previous class) or by having a faculty member familiar with the student's work certify the computer literacy.

Note: Equivalent graduate level courses may be substituted when appropriate. Well prepared students might consider taking the graduate quantum mechanics sequence, PHY 407/408 in their senior year, in place of PHY 246.

Go to Undergraduate Programs page.