May 01, 2026

2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Physics (Physical Science, B.S.) with Concentration In Astronomy

Program: Physics Major
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.

BS Physical Sciences Degree Learning Outcomes (DLO):

Acquisition of Knowledge
Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for the physical sciences related to their majors.

Application of Knowledge and Critical Thinking
Students will develop a scientific habit of mind, which includes integration of knowledge to (i) devise experiments and create models, accounting for applicable protocols, (ii) identify, define, and solve problems, (iii) form arguments and display motivation for scientific investigations, and (iv) analyze data and draw conclusions.

Communication
Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific information clearly and effectively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences through various formats, including written reports, oral/poster presentations, and informal and formal discussions and reviews.

Community
Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively in teams, act as socially responsible professionals aware of science’s societal impacts, communicate them to diverse audiences, and engage in civic activities like outreach.

Scientific Ethics
Students will demonstrate ethical behavior in all aspects of scientific practice, including responsible data management, avoidance of misconduct, and adherence to professional codes of conduct.

Student Learning Outcome for the Major concentration (SLO):
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:

PFW General Education Requirements
PFW Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement
PFW College of Science Information
PFW Academic Regulations

To earn the B.S. in Physical Science with a major in Physics with a concentration in Astronomy, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above.

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 GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses taken for the major.
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.
New PHYS courses approved and added to the curriculum in future Catalogs may satisfy major requirements.
Transfer students with 30+ credits are not required to take the Freshman Success seminar if they haven’t previously taken such a course.
Physics majors completing a major, minor, or associate degree outside the Physics department will have foreign language and ENGL 23301 requirements waived for their Physics program. Note: These courses may still be required for the non-Physics program.

General Education: Credits 30

Effective Fall 2025, the General Education program at PFW requires 30 credits to be completed, such that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better:

Category A. Foundational Intellectual Skills (Foundational Intellectual Skills Course Lists)
- One course in A1. Written Communication Cr. 3.
- One course in A2. Speaking and Listening Cr. 3.
- One course in A3. Quantitative Reasoning Cr. 3.
Category B. Ways of Knowing (Ways of Knowing Course Lists)
- One course in B4. Scientific Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B5. Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B6. Humanistic Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B7. Artistic Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
- One course in B8. Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
Six additional credits from any Foundational Skills (A1-A3) or Ways of Knowing (B4-B8) categories
At least one Ways of Knowing course that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness

Some programs recommend courses and/or require a specific course as part of the major that may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. Please see below or your Academic Advisor for courses that fulfill both purposes. You can familiarize yourself with other program regulations at General Education Requirements .

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

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 their College of Science Academic Advisor.

Physics Major Core 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.

Supporting Core 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

A combination of the following totaling 18 credits:

One of the following:
PHYS 17000 - Special Topics In Physics Cr. 1-4. (except as Freshman Seminar)
PHYS 17001 - Introductory Physics Support I Cr. 1.
PHYS 17002 - Physics-Based Pre-Calculus Support Cr. 2.
PHYS 17003 - Physics-Based Calculus Support I Cr. 2.
PHYS 20501 - Intro To Python For Computational Computing Cr. 1.
One of the following:
PHYS 27000 - Special Topics In Physics Cr. 1-5.
PHYS 27001 - Introductory Physics Support II Cr. 1.
PHYS 27002 - Physics-Based Calculus Support II Cr. 2.
PHYS 30500 - Intermediate Mathematical Physics Cr. 3.
PHYS 31000 - Intermediate Mechanics Cr. 4.
One of the following:
PHYS 31200 - Intermediate Electricity And Magnetism Cr. 3.
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.

Additional Supporting Courses: 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.
PHYS 13500 - The 1st Three Minutes Cr. 3.
One of the following:
ASTR 40100 - Introduction To Astrophysics Cr. 3.
ASTR 45100 - Galaxies And Large Scale Structure Cr. 3.

Optional Astrophysics Track: Credits 11-12

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

Total Credits: 120 minimum

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.

Additional Course Use:

COM 11400 required; HIST 12500 accepted
ENGL 23301 required; ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700, WOST 23000 accepted
PHYS 17000 taken as First Year Seminar required; BIOL 12000, CHM 19400, MA 10500 accepted