Astrophysics is an important and well-represented subdiscipline of physics. It includes the study of the solar system, galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, as well as cosmology. A minor in this field combines a theoretical approach with observational analysis. There is also the opportunity to do research in this field.
The physics department offers minors in physics, biophysics, and astrophysics. However, it is not possible to receive a minor in more than one of these fields. Also, physics majors may elect to receive the astrophysics or biophysics minor from the department, but not the physics minor.
Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the astrophysics advisor, meet physics faculty engaged in Astrophysics research, attend departmental astrophysics-related seminars, and explore ways that astrophysics relates to research undertaken by faculty in other disciplines.
For more information, contact:
Alberto Sadun (Astrophysics Minor Advisor)
Office: North Classroom 3809
and
Bodhi Rogers (Physics advisor)
Office: North Classroom 3123B
These degree requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic department, and the College reserves the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, the College strongly urges students to consult regularly with their major advisor and CLAS advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them.
Program Delivery
This is an on-campus program.
Declaring This Minor
Please see your advisor.
General Requirements
To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.
Program Requirements
Program Restrictions, Allowances and Recommendations
Requirements for the minor in astrophysics may be used to fulfill the requirements of the major in physics.
The introductory labs, PHYS 2351 and PHYS 2361, are required for all physics majors. If the department is unable to offer one or both of these labs then PHYS 2321 may be substituted for PHYS 2351 and PHYS 2341 may be substituted for PHYS 2361, upon prior advisor approval.
A student majoring in physics who wants to minor in astrophysics cannot use the 3000-level and above courses applied to the Astrophysics minor for their Physics Major requirements.
Required Courses
Astrophysics minors must take the following course:
PHYS 1052 - General Astronomy I
Astrophysics minors must take all of the courses in one of the following four-course Physics lecture/lab sequences:
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| PHYS 2010 | College Physics I |
| PHYS 2321 | Intro Experimental Phys Lab I |
| PHYS 2020 | College Physics II |
| PHYS 2341 | Intro Experimental Phys Lab II |
or
| Course Code | Course Title | |
|---|---|---|
|
PHYS 2311
|
General Physics I: Calculus-Based
|
|
|
PHYS 2321*
|
Intro Experimental Phys Lab I
|
|
|
*ALT
|
PHYS 2351
|
Applied Physics Lab I
|
| PHYS 2331 | General Physics II: Calculus-Based | |
|
PHYS 2341*
|
Intro Experimental Phys Lab II
|
|
| *ALT | PHYS 2361 | Applied Physics Lab II |
Astrophysics minors must take one of the following courses:
PHYS 3050 - General Astronomy II
PHYS 3070 - Physical Cosmology
PHYS 3082 - Energy and the Environment
PHYS 3411 - Thermal Physics
* PHYS 3840 - Independent Study: PHYS
PHYS 3939 - Internship
PHYS 4510 - Optics
PHYS 4550 - Astrophysics
* PHYS 4840 - Independent Study: PHYS
* PHYS 4920 - Advanced Undergraduate Seminar
* PHYS 4980 - Advanced Physics Topics
*Topics in these classes vary, as do the number of credits that can be earned. See departmental advisor for approval.