Nov 22, 2024

2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog

2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Physics (B.S.) With Concentration In Astronomy

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Program: B.S.
Department of Physics
College of Science

Kettler Hall 126B ~ 260-481-6306

Astronomy and astrophysics are the endeavor to understand the universe and to explain the origin of celestial objects and phenomena. It involves both planetary science (EAPS) and stellar science. The astrophysics track will require spectroscopy and instrumentation classes in addition to the astronomy core classes.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree, students will:

have skills that can lead to a career in astronomy, optics, data analysis or software; or for pursuing graduate education in physics, astronomy or engineering.

Program Delivery:

This program is available on-campus

Declaring this Major:

Declare this major within the Department of Physics

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:

Physics Astronomy 4-Year Plan:

Physics with Astrophysics Track 4-Year Plan:

PHYS 15200 must be repeated if a grade of C- or below is received
A grade of C- or above in all supporting courses is required
A maximum of one grade below C- is allowed except for in supporting courses
A GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses taken for the major

Physics BS with Secondary Education 4-Year Plan:

General Education Requirements Credits: 33

Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description. Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major. A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

Supporting Courses:

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

ENGL 23301 (or a college-approved equivalent: ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700, or WOST 23000). This course is in addition to the General Education writing course (ENGL 13100 or equivalent).
COM 11400 (or the college-approved equivalent: HIST 12500).

Both courses require a grade of C- or better

Language: Credits 6

Two courses at the first-year level in a single International Language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).

Note: if you begin these courses at PFW at the second-semester level or higher, you and your advisor are eligible to apply for special course credits after successful completion of the course into which you placed. Non-native English speaking students and those with other language transfer credits should contact the College’s Student Success Center.

Core Physics Major Courses: Credits 22

PHYS 15200 - Mechanics Cr. 5.
PHYS 17000 - Special Topics In Physics Cr. 1-4.
- taken as First Year Seminar Cr. 2.
PHYS 25100 - Heat, Electricity, And Optics Cr. 5.
PHYS 34200 - Modern Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 34300 - Modern Physics Laboratory Cr. 1.
PHYS 44200 - Quantum Mechanics Cr. 3.
PHYS 48001 - Senior Thesis I Cr. 3.
PHYS 48002 - Senior Thesis II Cr. 0.

Core Supporting Courses: Credits 16

CHM 11500 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
MA 16500 - Analytic Geometry And Calculus I Cr. 4.
MA 16600 - Analytic Geometry And Calculus II Cr. 4.
MA 26100 - Multivariate Calculus Cr. 4.

Additional Physics Courses: Credits 18

PHYS 17000 - Special Topics In Physics Cr. 1-4. (except as Freshman Seminar)
PHYS 20501 - Intro To Python For Computational Computing Cr. 1.
PHYS 27000 - Special Topics In Physics Cr. 1-5. (Cr. 1.)
PHYS 30500 - Intermediate Mathematical Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 31000 - Intermediate Mechanics Cr. 4.
PHYS 31200 - Intermediate Electricity And Magnetism Cr. 3.
or
ECE 31100 - Electric And Magnetic Fields Cr. 3.
PHYS 32200 - Intermediate Optics Cr. 3.
PHYS 32500 - Scientific Computing Cr. 3.
PHYS 41800 - Thermal And Statistical Physics Cr. 3.

Additional Laboratory/ Research Requirements: Credits 2

A combination of the following totaling 2 credits:

PHYS 34500 - Optics Laboratory I Cr. 1.
PHYS 34600 - Advanced Laboratory I Cr. 1.
PHYS 47000 - Special Topics In Physics Cr. 1-5. (Cr. 1-2.)

Additional Supporting Course: Credits 10

CHM 11600 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
MA 35100 - Elementary Linear Algebra Cr. 3.
MA 36300 - Differential Equations Cr. 3.

Concentration in Astronomy

Core Astronomy /Astrophysics Courses: Credits 18

ASTR 10000 - Descriptive: The Solar System Cr. 3 or 4.
ASTR 10500 - Stars And Galaxies Cr. 3 or 4.
ASTR 36400 - Stars And Galaxies Cr. 3.
ASTR 37000 - Cosmology Cr. 3.
ASTR 40100 - Introduction To Astrophysics Cr. 3.
or
ASTR 45100 - Galaxies And Large Scale Structure Cr. 3.
or
ASTR 47100 - Stellar Evolution Cr. 3.
PHYS 13500 - The 1st Three Minutes Cr. 3.

Optional Astrophysics Track: Credits 11-12

PHYS 36100 - Electronics For Scientists Cr. 4.
PHYS 40500 - Atomic And Molecular Physics Cr. 3.
or
PHYS 52400 - Physical Optics And Experimental Spectroscopy Cr. 4.
PHYS 53600 - Electronic Techniques For Research Cr 4.

General Electives

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120

Total Credits: 120

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.