REQUIREMENTS FOR ASTROPHYSICS MAJORS

PREREQUISITES
Students interested in majoring in astrophysics are required to complete the following courses during their 1st and 2nd year:

Physics 103 or 105: Classical Mechanics
Physics 104 or 106: Electromagnetism
Physics 203 or 205: Advanced Mechanics
Astrophysics 204: Topics in Modern Astronomy (strongly recommended)
Mathematics 103 or 104: Calculus
Mathematics 201 or 203 or 217: Advanced Multivariable Calculus
Mathematics 202 or 204 or 218: Linear Algebra

REQUIRED COURSES
Eight upper level courses are required for completing the Astrophysics major

(a) Students should complete at least three out of the following courses:

Astrophysics 301: General Relativity
Astrophysics 302: Structure of the Stars
Astrophysics 303: Modeling and Observing the Universe: Research Methods in Astrophysics
Astrophysics 401: Cosmology
Astrophysics 402: Interstellar Matter and Star Formation
Astrophysics 403: Stars and Star Formation

(b) Students should complete the following three physics courses:

Physics 208: Principles of Quantum Mechanics
Physics 304: Advanced Electromagnetism
Physics 305: Quantum Mechanics

(c) Students may select among the following to complete their eight required courses:

Physics 301: Thermal Physics
Physics 311: Experimental Physics
Physics 403: Mathematical Methods of Physics
Physics 405: Modern Physics I: Condensed-Matter Physics
Physics 406: Modern Physics II: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics
Physics 408: Modern Classical Dynamics
Mathematics 301/MAE305: Mathematics in Engineering I (PDE's)
Mathematics 302/MAE306: Mathematics in Engineering II (PDE's, complex analysis)
Mathematics 317: Complex Analysis
Mathematics 327/328: Differential Geometry
Geology 427: Introduction to Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 341: Space Flight
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 342: Space System Design
Other upper-level science or math courses

(d) Other course selections or replacements allowed with departmental approval.

RECOMMENDED COURSES IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE

Computer Science 126: General Computer Science
Math 309/ORF 309: Probability
Mechanical and Aerospace Eng. 222: Mechanics of Fluids

Last modified 23 January 2007