Department of Physics and Astronomy

/nsm/physast/

Resources

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Contact Us

Main Campus
McMaster Hall

Second Floor Rm 2017
419.530.2241
419.530.2723 Fax

office@physics.utoledo.edu

Undergraduate Program

Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy

The B.A. in Astronomy consists of 33 hours of required astronomy and physics courses in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, 8 hours of Calculus, and at least 10 additional hours in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, chosen with the advisor's approval. This program is intended to provide the combination of fundamental physics, together with both general and advanced astronomy, required for a career in astronomy or a related area. It also has the flexibility required by students who wish to pursue interdisciplinary studies, or prepare for careers in teaching or other professions requiring a fundamental understanding of the physical sciences.

The sequence of courses shown below is a typical one for an astronomy major, but many other course selections are possible. In particular a student who begins with a good math background might take calculus in the freshman year, and PHYS 2130-2140 as shown.  For students who take calculus later the PHYS 2130-2140 sequence can be replaced by PHYS 2070-2080-2100. The student must also satisfy all the degree requirements of the University Core and the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics. The official degree requirements are published in the Catalog of the University of Toledo.

Suggested Sample Curriculum  (* means elective)

  • Freshman Year:
    • Fall Semester
      • ASTR 2010 Solar System Astronomy (3) 
      • MATH 1850 Calculus I (4) 
      • NSM 1000 Orientation (1) 
      • Foreign language I (4) 
      • PHYS 1910 Frontiers of Physics* (3)
    • Spring Semester
      • ASTR 2020 Stars, Galaxies, and Universe (3)
      • MATH 1860 Calculus II (4)
      • Core Social Science I (3)
      • Foreign language II (4)
      • Core Humanities I (3)
  • Sophomore Year
    • Fall Semester
      • PHYS 2130 Physics I (5)
      • ENGL 1110 English Composition I (3)
      • Math 2850 or 2950 or 2880 Multivariable Calculus I (4)
      • Core Social Science II (3)
    • Spring Semester:
      • PHYS 2140 Physics II (5)
      • ASTR 2340 New Frontiers in Astronomy (3)
      • Choose one from BIOL 2150,2170, CHEM 1230, EEES 2010, 2100 (3-4)
      • Choose one from BIOL 2150 to 4xxx, CHEM 1230 to 4xxx, EEES 2010 to 4xxx (3-4)
      • ENGL 1130 English Composition II (3)
  • Junior Year:
    • Fall Semester
      • PHYS 3310 Quantum Physics I (3)
      • Choose one from BIOL 2150 to 4xxx, CHEM 1230 to 4xxx, EEES 2010 to 4xxx (3-4)
      • Core Humanities II (3)
      • Elective to reach 124 hours (3)
      • Fine Arts requirement (3)
    • Spring Semester
      • PHYS 3320 Quantum Physics II (3)
      • PHYS 3180  Intermediate Lab (3)
      • Choose one from BIOL 2150 to 4xxx, CHEM 1230 to 4xxx, EEES 2010 to 4xxx (3-4)
      • History requirement (3)
      • Social Science requirement (3)
  • Senior Year:
    • Fall Semester
      • PHYS 3610 Optics and Lasers (3)
      • ASTR 4810 Astrophysics I (3)
      • ASTR 4880 Astrophysics Laboratory (3)
      • Multicultural non-Western  (3)
      • Writing across the Curriculum course (3)
    • Spring Semester
      • ASTR 4820 Astrophysics II (3)
      • Choose one from BIOL 2150 to 4xxx, CHEM 1230 to 4xxx, EEES 2010 to 4xxx (3-4)
      • Multicultural US Diversity (3)
      • Electives to reach 124 hours (3-5)
      • Literature requirement (3)
Last Updated: 6/26/15