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Undergraduate Bulletin College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Astronomy

Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Students on Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 requirements ASTPHYSBS

Requirements

The major requires at least 39 credit hours (57–58 with the Addenda requirements), including the requirements listed below.
  1. Mathematics Core.
    1. Calculus III. One (1) course:
      • MATH-M 311 Calculus III
      • MATH-S 311 Honors Course in Calculus III
    2. Introduction to Differential Equations with Applications I. One (1) course:
      • MATH-M 343
      • MATH-S 343 Honors Course in Differential Equations
  2. Physics Core.
    1. Physics III. One (1) course:
      • PHYS-P 301 Physics III
    2. Theory of Electricity and Magnetism I. One (1) course:
      • PHYS-P 331 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism I
    3. Theory of Electricity and Magnetism II. One (1) course:
      • PHYS-P 332 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism II
    4. Physics Electives. Two (2) courses:
      • PHYS-P 441 Analytical Mechanics I
      • PHYS-P 442 Analytical Mechanics II
      • PHYS-P 453 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
      • PHYS-P 454 Modern Physics
  3. Astronomy Core.
    1. General Astronomy I. One (1) course:
      • AST-A 221 General Astronomy I
    2. General Astronomy II. One (1) course:
      • AST-A 222 General Astronomy II
    3. Astronomy Electives. Three (3) courses:
      • AST-A 305 Modern Observational Techniques
      • Any AST-A 400–499
      • Any AST-S 400–499 except AST-S 499
      • Any AST-X 400–499
  4. Addenda Requirements*.
    1. Mathematics.
      1. Calculus I. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 211 Calculus I
        • MATH-S 211
      2. Calculus II. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 212 Calculus II
        • MATH-S 212 Honors Calculus II
    2. Physics.
      1. Physics I. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-H 221 Honors Physics I
        • PHYS-P 221 Physics I
      2. Physics II. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-H 222 Honors Physics II
        • PHYS-P 222 Physics II
  5. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Major GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Major Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
    3. Major Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. Major Residency. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.

Major Area Courses

  • Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:

    • Any course at the 100–499 level with the AST subject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent
    • Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
    • Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
Exclusions

The following courses cannot be applied toward major requirements:

  • Any AST-[x] 100–199

This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

  • Bachelor of Arts in in Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASTPHYSBA)
  • Minor in Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASTMIN)

Exceptions to and substitutions for major requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.