This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ufl.edu.
About this Program
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy | Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics
- Credits for Degree: 120
- More Info
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Department Information
The Department of Astronomy is home to a vibrant community actively engaged in research, education, and outreach. The department's faculty are involved in a wide range of research programs using world-class resources including an in-house design-through-fabrication instrumentation program, partner level access to the Gran Telescope Canarias, the HiPerGator-2 supercomputer, and more.
Website
CONTACT
Email | 352.294.1870 (tel) | 352.392.5089 (fax)
P.O. BOX 112055
211 BRYANT SPACE SCIENCE CENTER
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-2055
Map
Curriculum
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.
The Department of Astronomy offers two undergraduate degree options. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in astrophysics is 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.
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in astronomy is broader and less specialized than the B.S., 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.
Coursework for the Major
All students are required to take 10 core courses in mathematics, physics and astronomy. The B.A. in astronomy requires a total of 41 credits; the B.S. in astrophysics requires a minimum of 62 credits. Students pursuing the B.A. 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
| 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 | |
Recommended Coursework for Graduate Study
Students should talk with the undergraduate coordinator and plan to take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 4604 | Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 | 3 |
| Select additional courses: | ||
| Computer Programming for Engineers | ||
| Functions of a Complex Variable | ||
| Computational Linear Algebra | ||
| Thermal Physics 1 | ||
| Optics 1 | ||
| Statistical Physics | ||
| 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/or 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 B.A. in astronomy and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.
Research
Students pursuing the B.S. 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.
Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in astrophysics is 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.
Additional Required Coursework for the B.S. in Astrophysics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Four 4000-level AST courses 1 | 12 | |
| MAP 2302 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHY 3101 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 3221 | Mechanics 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4222 | Mechanics 2 | 3 |
| PHY 3323 | Electromagnetism 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4324 | Electromagnetism 2 | 3 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Thermal Physics 1 | ||
| Optics 1 | ||
| Statistical Physics | ||
| Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| 1 |
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in astrophysics is 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.
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
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 4 3000/4000 level courses in AST or PHY
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 7
- Complete 4 3000/4000 level courses in AST or PHY
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 8
- Complete 4 3000/4000 level courses in AST or PHY
- 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.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking) | 4 |
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Biological Sciences | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Composition | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) | 4 |
| PHY 2048 | Physics with Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| PHY 2048L | Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | 1 |
| Gen Ed Biological Sciences | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| AST 3018 | Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | 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 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences; Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| AST 3722C | Techniques of Observational Astronomy 1 (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| MAP 2302 | Elementary Differential Equations (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| PHY 3101 | Introduction to Modern Physics (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| PHY 3221 | Mechanics 1 (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| AST course (4000 level; Critical Tracking) | 3 | |
| Foreign language | 3-5 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-17 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| PHY 3323 | Electromagnetism 1 (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| PHY 4222 | Mechanics 2 (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| AST course (4000 level; Critical Tracking) | 3 | |
| Foreign language | 3-5 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15-17 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Thermal Physics 1 (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Optics 1 (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Statistical Physics (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 (Critical Tracking) | ||
| PHY 4324 | Electromagnetism 2 (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| AST course (4000 level; Critical Tracking) | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective (or complete foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| AST course (4000 level; Critical Tracking) | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Electives (3000 level, non-major, if needed) | 7 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
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
- 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. - Define and use the techniques of astronomical observation.
Critical Thinking
- Critically evaluate results of astronomical research.
Communication
- Effectively and clearly communicate ideas and results in speech and in writing in an accepted style of presentation.
Curriculum Map: B.A. and B.S.
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| 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