The BA in Astronomy is broader and less specialized than the BS, with the aim of developing and sharpening analytical and quantitative reasoning while at the same time cultivating broader knowledge that can be applied to a variety of careers, including business, law, the health professions, and teaching.

The knowledge acquired and the analytical skills developed provide excellent broad-based training for careers in industry, education and government as well as preparation for graduate study in astronomy and astrophysics, science education, engineering, law, and medicine.

Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy

Broader and less specialized than the BS, with the aim of developing and sharpening analytical and quantitative reasoning while at the same time cultivating broader knowledge that can be applied to a variety of careers, including business, law, the health professions, science writing, and teaching.

Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics

Designed for students who intend to pursue careers in a scientific or technical field by continuing to study astronomy, astrophysics, or physics at the graduate level or to commence study in some related field such as planetary science.

Coursework for the Major

All students are required to take 10 core courses in mathematics, physics and astronomy. The BA in astronomy requires a total of 41 credits; the BS in astrophysics requires a minimum of 62 credits. Students pursuing the BA have fewer additional required astronomy and physics courses, which offers greater flexibility for taking courses in other disciplines.

All required courses must be completed with minimum grades of C.

Required Courses for Both Degrees

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
MAC 2311	Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1	4
MAC 2312	Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2	4
MAC 2313	Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3	4
PHY 2048 & 2048L	Physics with Calculus 1 and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1	4
PHY 2049 & 2049L	Physics with Calculus 2 and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2	4
AST 3018	Astronomy and Astrophysics 1	3
AST 3019	Astronomy and Astrophysics 2	3
AST 3722C	Techniques of Observational Astronomy 1	3
Total Credits		29

Additional Required Coursework for the BA in Astronomy

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Two 3000/4000-level astronomy courses		6
Select two:		6
AST or PHY courses at the 3000/4000 level
AST 2003	Introduction to the Solar System
AST 2037	Life in the Universe
GLY 2010C	Physical Geology
GLY 2042	Planetary Geology
GLY 3105C	Evolution of Earth and Life
MCB 3703	Astrobiology
PHY 3101	Introduction to Modern Physics
PHZ 4710	Introduction to Biological Physics
SWS 2007	The World of Water
Total Credits		12

Recommended Coursework for Graduate Study

Students should talk with the undergraduate coordinator and plan to take:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PHY 4604	Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1	3
Select additional courses:
COP 2271	Computer Programming for Engineers
MAA 4402	Functions of a Complex Variable
MAS 3114	Computational Linear Algebra
PHY 3513	Thermal Physics 1
PHY 4424	Optics 1
PHY 4523	Statistical Physics
STA 3032	Engineering Statistics

Students of exceptional ability who have some background in physics are encouraged to take the enriched physics with calculus sequence PHY 2060/PHY 2061 instead of PHY 2048/PHY 2049; PHY 3063 may then be taken in place of PHY 3101; and PHZ 3113 may be substituted for PHY 3221.

Relevant Minors and Certificates

UFTeach Program

There is a severe shortage of qualified secondary science teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in becoming part of this high-demand profession should see the undergraduate coordinator about the UFTeach program. UFTeach students can complete the UFTeach minor in science teaching along with their BA in Astronomy and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.
More Info

Research

Students pursuing the BS in Astrophysics are encouraged to engage in research with Astronomy faculty by signing up for at least three credits of AST 4911; 3 credits of AST 4911 may count toward the 4000-level requirement; an additional 3 credits of AST 4911 may be applied toward the 4000-level requirement with the approval of the undergraduate coordinator.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

All students must meet these criteria to remain on track for the major.

Semester 1

• Complete MAC 1147 or MAC 2311
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete MAC 2311
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete MAC 2312, PHY 2048 and PHY 2048L with a 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete MAC 2313, PHY 2049 and PHY 2049L with 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

UF freshmen and sophomores should take AST 3018 by semester 4

Semester 5

• 2.5 critical-tracking GPA with completion of AST 3018
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete two 3000/4000 level courses in AST, PHY, or other science courses approved by the major
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

• Complete two 3000/4000 level courses in AST, PHY, or other science courses approved by the major
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

• Complete two AST 3000/4000 level courses
• Complete MAP 2302
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester One		Credits
MAC 2311	Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics)	4
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities)		3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences		3
	Credits	16
Semester Two
MAC 2312	Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking)	4
PHY 2048	Physics with Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)	3
PHY 2048L	Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)	1
State Core Gen Ed Humanities		3
Elective		3
	Credits	14
Semester Three
AST 3018	Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 (Critical Tracking)	3
MAC 2313	Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (Critical Tracking)	4
PHY 2049	Physics with Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)	3
PHY 2049L	Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)	1
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
	Credits	14
Semester Four
AST 3019	Astronomy and Astrophysics 2 (Critical Tracking)	3
AST 3722C	Techniques of Observational Astronomy 1 (Critical Tracking)	3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences 1		3
Gen Ed Humanities		3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 1		3
	Credits	15
Semester Five
AST course (3000/4000 level; Critical Tracking)		3
Elective (3000/4000 level, not in major)		3
Foreign language		3-5
Electives		6
	Credits	15-17
Semester Six
AST course (3000/4000 level; Critical Tracking)		3
Foreign language		3-5
Electives (3000/4000 level, not in major)		6
Elective		3
	Credits	15-17
Semester Seven
AST or PHY course or approved major course; Critical Tracking		3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
Elective (or complete foreign language if 4-3-3 option)		3
Electives		6
	Credits	15
Semester Eight
AST or PHY course or approved major course; Critical Tracking		3
Electives		13
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	120

¹

One General Education option taken this term must be a Quest 2 course.

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Astronomy and Astrophysics provide knowledge of basic concepts, theories and observational findings concerning the structure and evolution of planetary systems, stars, stellar systems such as galaxies, and cosmology. Students will learn scientific methodology and its application in specific contexts, the use of observations in testing hypotheses and the limitations of astronomical observations as well as how to critically evaluate them.

The Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy enables students to become familiar with modern physics and to understand mathematics, including calculus. The Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics enables students to understand the basic concepts, theories and experimental findings in modern physics, electricity and magnetism, and mechanics as they apply to astronomy and astrophysics.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Demonstrate satisfactory (minimum grades of C) performance on a selection of coursework from each of the 4000-level astronomy courses as graded by a faculty committee independent of the instructor and not as part of the course grade.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy
   Identify, describe and define the fundamentals of astronomy, including the basic concepts, theories and observational results for planetary systems, stars, stellar systems and cosmology.
   Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics
   Identify, describe and define the fundamentals of astrophysics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, modern physics and the basic concepts, theories and observational results for planetary systems, stars, stellar systems and cosmology.
2. Define and use the techniques of astronomical observation.

Critical Thinking

3. Critically evaluate results of astronomical research.

Communication

4. Effectively and clearly communicate ideas and results in speech and in writing in an accepted style of presentation.

Curriculum Map | BA and BS

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Academic Learning Compact 4

Courses	SLO 1	SLO 2	SLO 3	SLO 4
AST 3018	I		I	I
AST 3019	I		I	I
AST 3722C	I, R	I, A	R	R
AST 4211	R, A		R	R
AST 4402	R, A		R	R
AST 4723C	R, A	R, A	R	R
AST 4930 (Planetary System Astrophysics)	R, A		R	R
AST 4930 (Senior Seminar)			A	A

Assessment Types for Both Degrees

• Exams
• Portfolios
• Papers
• Oral presentations

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