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Department of Astronomy

Minor in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Students on Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 requirements ASTMIN

A program leading to a minor in astronomy and astrophysics is provided for students who have a serious interest in the field but do not plan to major in the subject.

Requirements

The minor requires at least 17 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  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. Physics III. One (1) course:
    • PHYS-P 301 Physics III
  4. Electives. Two (2) courses:
    • AST-A 305 Modern Observational Techniques
    • AST-A 405 Computational Astrophysics
    • AST-A 450 Galactic Astrophysics
    • AST-A 451 Stellar Astrophysics
    • AST-A 452 Extragalactic Astrophysics
    • AST-A 453 Topics in Astrophysics
  5. Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Minor GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Minor 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 minor.
    3. Minor Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. Minor Residency. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.

Minor 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

This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

  • Bachelor of Arts in in Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASTPHYSBA)
  • Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASTPHYSBS)

Exceptions to and substitutions for minor 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.