Office of the University Registrar

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Curious about what's out there? Students who are comfortable with mathematics and physics and who want to understand the nature of the Solar System and other planetary systems, stars, galaxies and/or the universe are encouraged to pursue a B.A. in astronomy or a B.S. in astrophysics.

About this Major

College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy; Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics
Credits for Degree: 120
Academic Learning Compact
Additional Information

Related Astronomy Programs

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Overview

The knowledge acquired and the analytical skills developed provide excellent broad-based training for careers in industry, education and government as well as preparation for graduate study in astronomy and astrophysics, science education, engineering, law, and medicine.

The Department of Astronomy offers two undergraduate degree options. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in astrophysics is designed for students who intend to pursue careers in a scientific or technical field by continuing to study astronomy, astrophysics or physics at the graduate level or to commence study in some related field such as planetary science.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in astronomy is broader and less specialized than the B.S., with the aim of developing and sharpening analytical and quantitative reasoning while at the same time cultivating broader knowledge that can be applied to a variety of careers, including business, law, the health professions, and teaching.

Coursework for the Major

All students are required to take 10 core courses in mathematics, physics and astronomy. The B.A. in astronomy requires a total of 41 credits; the B.S. in astrophysics requires a minimum of 62 credits. Students pursuing the B.A. have fewer additional required astronomy and physics courses, which offers greater flexibility for taking courses in other disciplines.

All required courses must be completed with minimum grades of C.

Required Courses for Both Degrees

Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, 3 (MAC 2311, MAC 2312 and MAC 2313, 12 credits)
Physics with Calculus 1 and 2 with labs (PHY 2048/2048L and PHY 2049/2049L, 8 credits)
Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 and 2 (AST 3018 and 3019, 6 credits)
Techniques of Observational Astronomy (AST 3722C, 3 credits)

Additional required coursework for the B.A. in Astronomy:

Two astronomy courses at the 3000/4000 level (6 credits)
Two additional courses (6 credits minimum) from:
- AST or PHY courses at the 3000/4000 level
- AST 2003 Introduction to the Solar System, AST 2037 Life in the Universe,
  GLY 2010C Physical Geology, GLY 2042 Planetary Geology, GLY 3105C Evolution of Earth and Life, MCB 3703 Astrobiology, PHY 2464 Physical Basis of Music, PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics, PHZ 4710 Introduction to Biophysics or SWS 2007 World of Water

Additional required coursework for the B.S. in Astrophysics:

Four 3-credit AST courses at the 4000 level (12 credits; prerequisites: AST 3018 and AST 3019)
Differential Equations (MAP 2302, 3 credits)
Modern Physics (PHY 3101, 3 credits)
Mechanics 1 and 2 (PHY 3221 and 4222, 6 credits)
Electromagnetism 1 and 2 (PHY 3323 and 4324, 6 credits)
Choose one course from PHY 3513 Thermal Physics 1, PHY 4424 Optics 1, PHY 4523 Statistical Physics or PHY 4604 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 (3 credits)

Recommended Coursework for Graduate Study

Students should talk with the undergraduate coordinator and plan to take:

PHY 4604 and
Additional courses from COP 2271 Computer Programming for Engineers, MAA 4402 Functions of a Complex Variable, MAS 3114 Computational Linear Algebra, PHY 3513 Thermal Physics 1, PHY 4424 Optics 1, PHY 4523 Statistical Physics and STA 3032 Engineering Statistics

Students of exceptional ability who have some background in physics are encouraged to take the enriched physics with calculus sequence PHY 2060/2061 instead of PHY 2048/2049; PHY 3063 Enriched Modern Physics may then be taken in place of PHY 3101; and PHZ 3113 Introduction to Theoretical Physics may be substituted for PHY 3221.

Relevant Minors and/or Certificates

UFTeach Program: There is a severe shortage of qualified secondary science teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in becoming part of this high-demand profession should see the undergraduate coordinator about the UFTeach program. UFTeach students can complete the UFTeach minor in science teaching along with their B.A. in astronomy and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.

Research

Students pursuing the B.S. in astrophysics are encouraged to engage in research with astronomy faculty by signing up for at least three credits of AST 4911; with the approval of the undergraduate coordinator, up to six credits may be counted toward the required 4000-level courses.

Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy

Critical Tracking Model Semester Plan

Critical Tracking

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

All students must meet these criteria to remain on track for the major.

Note that critical tracking is the same for both degrees.

Semester 1

Complete MAC 1147 or MAC 2311
2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

Complete MAC 2311
2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

Complete MAC 2312, PHY 2048 and PHY 2048L with a 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

Complete MAC 2313, PHY 2049 and PHY 2049L with 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
2.0 UF GPA required

UF freshmen and sophomores should take AST 3018 by semester 4

Semester 5

2.5 critical-tracking GPA with completion of AST 3018
2.0 UF GPA required

Model Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Semester 1	Credits
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life GE-H	3
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 State Core GE-M	4
Biological Sciences GE-B	3
Composition State Core GE-C; WR	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences State Core GE-S	3
Total	16

Semester 2	Credits
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2	4
PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 GE-P	3
PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory GE-P	1
Biological Science GE-B	3
Humanities State Core GE-H	3
Total	14

Semester 3	Credits
AST 3018 Astronomy and Astrophysics 1	3
MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3	4
PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 GE-P	3
PHY 2049L Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2 GE-P	1
Social and Behavioral Sciences GE-S	3
Total	14

Semester 4	Credits
AST 3019 Astronomy and Astrophysics 2	3
AST 3722C Observational Techniques 1	3
Elective	3
Humanities GE-H	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences GE-S	3
Total	15

Semester 5	Credits
AST course 3000/4000 level	3
Elective 3000/4000 level, not in major	3
Electives	6
Foreign language	3-5
Total	15-17

Semester 6	Credits
AST course 3000/4000 level	3
Elective	3
Electives 3000/4000 level, not in major	6
Foreign language	3-5
Total	15-17

Semester 7	Credits
AST or PHY course or Approved major course	3
Composition GE-C; WR	3
Elective Or complete foreign language if 4-3-3 option	3
Electives	6
Total	15

Semester 8	Credits
AST or PHY course or Approved major course	3
Electives	13
Total	16

Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics