Astronomy, BA

Contact

Chair: Mitch Soderberg

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Steven Blusk, Joseph Paulsen

Faculty:

Marina Artuso, Stefan Ballmer, Steven Blusk, Duncan Brown, Craig Cahillane, Simon Catterall, Eric Coughlin, Walter Freeman, Jay Hubisz, John Laiho, Colm Kelleher, Alex Maloney, M. Lisa Manning, Georgia Mansell, Alan Middleton, Liviu Movileanu, Alexander Nitz, Nidhi Pashine, Alison Patteson, Joseph Paulsen, Ivan Pechenezhskiy, Jennifer Ross, Matthew Rudolph, Christian Santangelo, Jennifer Schwarz, Rafael Silva Coutinho, Mirna Mihovilovic Skanata, Tomasz Skwarnicki, Mitchell Soderberg, Paul Souder, Scott Watson, Denver Whittington

Program Description:

Astronomy and astrophysics is the study of the cosmos – from the scale of the solar system to the Universe as a whole – and uses physics to analyze planets, stars, and black holes. By pursuing an astronomy B.A., the student will gain an understanding of these objects and their gravitational interaction to produce larger celestial structures, including planetary systems, galaxies, and black hole binaries. By fulfilling the course requirements for the B.A., the student will learn and apply the fundamentals of nuclear fusion, thermodynamics, radiation and radiative transport, quantum mechanics, and Newtonian gravitation. The student will also have the opportunity to explore more specialized topics, such general relativity, astrobiology, and high-energy astrophysics, where the latter includes gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes). The emphasis of the coursework is on the qualitative understanding of these and other astronomical systems and the physics governing their evolution. Higher-level courses that delve deeper into the mathematical nature of these systems of equations and their solutions can also replace (in credit) lower-level courses. Students will also learn practical skills that are used heavily in other fields and industry, such as data analysis, statistical inference, and low-level programming and computation.

Student Learning Outcomes

A student will be able to explain phenomena occurring from sub-atomic to cosmological distance scales using qualitative physical principles.
A student will be able to apply mathematics and logic to solve problems associated with natural phenomena.
A student will be able to assess and explain arguments for physical laws based on experimental, observational, and theoretical evidence.
A student will be able to employ basic laboratory and technical skills to solve physics problems as a result of formal laboratory course work and research opportunities with faculty.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy consists of 11 to 14 credits of lower-division courses and 18 credits of upper-division courses.

Required Lower-Division Courses

PHY 215 - General Physics I for Scientists
PHY 216 - General Physics II for Scientists
PHY 225 - Experiencing Physics I
PHY 226 - Experiencing Physics II
AND

One course from the following:
AST 101 - Our Corner of the Universe
AST 104 - Stars, Galaxies, & the Universe
NOTE: Students declaring an Astronomy B.A. after having successfully completed PHY 211 , PHY 221 , PHY 212 , and PHY 222 are not required to take PHY 215 , PHY 225 , PHY 216 , and PHY 226 . A student may substitute another AST course numbered 300 or higher for the (AST 101 or AST 104 ) requirement.

18 credits of upper-division physics and astronomy courses are required:

PHY 306 - Nuclear Physics in our Lives
AND Either
AST 317 - Modern Astrophysics
Or
PHY 317 - Modern Astrophysics
AND

4 credtis of laboratory courses from the following list:
PHY 365 - Experiencing Physics III
PHY 366 - Experiencing Physics IV
PHY 443 - Experimental Physics
PHY 467 - Optics and Photonics
AST 465 - Methods in Astronomy and Astrophysics
PHY 465 - Methods in Astronomy and Astrophysics
AND

One course from the following:
AST 312 - Relativity, Black Holes, and the Big Bang
PHY 312 - Relativity, Black Holes, and the Big Bang
AST 319 - Introduction to Astrobiology
PHY 319 - Introduction to Astrobiology
PHY 517 - Fluid Dynamics
PHY 585 - Principles of General Relativity
The remaining 5 credits must be completed with AST or PHY courses numbered 300 or above. By petition, courses from other colleges or departments covering similar topics to either a required or elective AST/PHY course may also be counted toward the major.