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Undergraduate Bulletin College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Astronomy

Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements ASTPHYSBS
The Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics provides an in-depth study of the field, and prepares students for graduate study and a subsequent career in astronomy and astrophysics, but also for careers in related technical fields including conducting research at universities or national facilities such as NASA centers (e.g. the Goddard Space Flight Center near Washington, DC) and national and private observatories (e.g. the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson, Arizona or the Carnegie Observatory in Pasadena, California, or the National Radio Astronomy Observatory), teaching at the college or high school level, working at planetariums and science museums, computer-support positions for NASA contractors, scientific writing, positions in the aerospace, defense, surveillance, and environmental fields, and military work.

Requirements

The major requires at least 30 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  1. Mathematics Core.
    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
    3. Calculus III. One (1) course:
      • MATH-M 311 Calculus III
      • MATH-S 311 Honors Course in Calculus III
    4. 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 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
    3. Physics III. One (1) course:
      • PHYS-P 301 Physics III
    4. Theory of Electricity and Magnetism I. One (1) course:
      • PHYS-P 331 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism I
    5. Theory of Electricity and Magnetism II. One (1) course:
      • PHYS-P 332 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism II
    6. 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.
      • AST-A 222 General Astronomy II
    3. Modern Observational Techniques. One (1) course:
      • AST-A 305 Modern Observational Techniques
    4. Electives. Two (2) 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. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. 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.
    2. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
    4. 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.
    5. Exceptions to major requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.