Astrophysics Major
Requirements for the Astrophysics Major
An astrophysics major consists of the courses required for the physics major (with one of the 300-level courses being ASTR 311/PHYS 311), along with ASTR 107, ASTR 206, and one additional upper-level astronomy course. All students who wish to consider a major in astrophysics are urged to complete the introductory physics sequence (PHYS 100, PHYS 107 and PHYS 108), as well as ASTR 107, as soon as possible. In planning the major, students should note that some of the courses have prerequisites in mathematics. We recommend that astrophysics majors build their computation skills early through e.g. CS 112 or other training.
Goals for the Astrophysics Major
As an Astrophysics major, you will be able to:
- Identify, discuss, and explain the basic laws of physics within the fields of classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, as an underpinning to understanding astronomical phenomena.
- Apply an astronomer’s toolkit, based on the properties of light, matter, and gravity, to understand the life stories of planetary worlds, planetary systems, stars, galaxies, and the origin and fate of the universe.
- Identify, formulate, and solve tractable scientific and technical problems by placing them in context, making appropriate estimates and simplifications, modeling the important physical processes, quantifying predictions with analytic and computational tools, and testing the correctness of the results.
- Plan, design, organize, carry out and document hands-on observations with modern instrumentation.
- Interpret astronomical data and observations, using physical and mathematical models and computational tools.
- Read and critically evaluate primary scientific literature.
- Collaborate with peers on research projects that address scientific and technical problems using experiments, computer models, and analysis.
- Propose and test hypotheses from an integrated appreciation of observations and physical theories.
- Communicate technical knowledge through effective scientific writing and oral presentations.
Thesis work and Honors in Astrophysics
To be admitted to the Honors Program (360/370), a student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all work in the major field above the 100 level. Students with a GPA below the cutoff may enroll in 355 in the Fall. If the student demonstrates excellence in research during 355, the Department may petition for that student to enroll in the Honors Program via 370 in the Spring; otherwise the student can continue in 365 to complete a non-honors-eligible thesis. (The College minimum Major GPA for petitions is 3.0.)
Accessibility of Astrophysics Facilities
Students with disabilities are welcome in all astronomy department courses, including those with laboratories. The Whitin Observatory has telescopes accessible to students with mobility-related disabilities, including outdoor telescopes for 100-level courses and the computer-controlled 0.7m telescope used for upper-level courses and independent research. Other accommodation requests can be made by contacting Disability Services, or by meeting with the instructor.