Astrophysics and Astronomy at ASU
Major Maps: 2011-2012 | 2010-2011
Course pre-requisites sheet (Not yet complete)
Astrophysics Concentration
Meet the astrophysics and astronomy faculty and explore their research areas
Astrophysics is the study of the origin and evolution of the universe and all that it contains. The BS in Earth and Space Exploration with a concentration in Astrophysics is designed to offer students a strong and broad foundation for exploring the building of instruments, making observations with ground- and space-based telescopes, and developing theoretical interpretations of findings. Among the topics investigated are cosmology, galaxies, stars, the interstellar medium, solar system planets, exoplanets, and their intersections with geological processes, system designs, and astrobiology. Our program provides the initial training for career paths in astronomy and astrophysics, space sciences, instrumentation engineering, science education, and several aerospace fields. Interested in Astrophysics and Astronomy at ASU? Apply now!
The rigorous course load includes a combination of physics courses taught in SESE and the department of physics. ASU astronomy / astrophysics students should emerge from the program with the ability to compete at the national level on standardized physics exams. The tools of astronomical discovery are increasingly dependent on technological advances, and students will be exposed to engineering principles. Through the capstone project in the senior year, students will gain valuable experience in translating science drivers into engineering specifics. ASU astronomy / astrophysics students will emerge from the program with the scientific ability to reduce complicated, real-world problems to their essentials and solve them with experimental, observational, theoretical and computational techniques.
The BS degree in Earth and Space Exploration, Concentration in Astrophysics requires the following core courses (34 credits):
SES 100 Intro Exploration (3)
1SES 101 Earth, Solar System, and Universe I (3)
1SES 102 Earth, Solar System, and Universe II (3)
1SES 103 Earth, Solar System, and Universe Laboratory I (1)
1SES 104 Earth, Solar System, and Universe Laboratory II (1)
AST 321 Intro to Planetary and Stellar Astro. (3)
AST 322 Intro to Galactic and Extragalactic Astro. (3)
AST 421 Astrophysics I (3)
AST 422 Astrophysics II (3)
AST 494 Astrophysics Seminar (1) - one semester required
PHY 314 Quantum Physics I (3) or *PHY361 Introductory Modern Physics (3)
GLG 400 Colloquium (1)
SES 410/411 (6)
1For Arizona community college students, AST111-114 can be substituted for SES101-104
2Both SES 101 and 103 must be taken to secure SQ credit
*Pending approval of university curriculum committee
In addition, 3 units of upper division electives from SES/AST/GLG/PHY, particularly from the following courses, but others can be substituted with advisor approval (3 credits):
SES 310 Concepts of Elec. and Mech. Engin. Design (3)
SES 311 Essentials of Astrobiology
GLG 404 Fundamentals of Planetary Sci (3)
SES/AST 490/598 Astro Instr and Data Analysis (3)
Required courses in other related fields include the following (26 credits):
MAT 265 Calculus for Engineers I (3) (or MAT 270)
MAT 266 Calculus for Engineers II (3) (or MAT 271)
MAT 267 Calculus for Engineers III (3) (or MAT 272)
MAT 275 Modern Differential Equations (3)
PHY 121 University Physics I: Mechanics SQ1 (3)
PHY 122 University Physics Laboratory I SQ1 (1)
PHY 131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism SQ2 (3)
PHY 132 University Physics Laboratory II SQ2 (1)
PHY 201 Mathematical Methods in Physics (3)
PHY 241 University Physics III (3) or *PHY252 Physics III (4)
1Both PHY 121 and 122 must be taken to secure SQ credit.
2Both PHY 131 and 132 must be taken to secure SQ credit.
*Pending approval of university curriculum committee
Notes:
• Students must receive C’s or better in all of the above courses in order for them to count toward the major
• This course listing is unofficial. The major map represents the official catalog for the degree