Why study physics and astronomy?
Our goal is to understand the physical universe. The questions addressed by our department’s research and education missions range from the applied, such as an improved understanding of the materials that can be used for solar cell energy production, to foundational questions about the nature of mass and space and how the Universe was formed and subsequently evolved, and how astrophysical phenomena affected the Earth and its evolution. We study the properties of systems ranging in size from smaller than an atom to larger than a galaxy on timescales ranging from billionths of a second to the age of the universe. Our courses and laboratory/research experiences help students hone their problem solving and analytical skills and thereby become broadly trained critical thinkers. While about half of our majors move on to graduate studies in STEM, many find employment in the private sector in diverse situations ranging from financial analysts to physicians. Graduates of all our degree programs can be found in key positions regionally, nationally, and internationally. In this way, our department is at the forefront of telling the academic story of the University of Kansas to people around the state and around the world.
Undergraduate programs in astronomy
Astronomy degrees are offered through the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The astronomy curriculum offers undergraduates a survey of modern astronomy and an introduction to physical science, gives science and engineering students an introduction to astronomy and astrophysics, and prepares students majoring in astronomy for graduate study in astronomy or related fields.
Courses for Nonmajors
ASTR 191
surveys a wide range of contemporary astronomy topics. ASTR 394
is open to students with previous coursework in astronomy, biology, or geology; ASTR 391
offers an introduction to physical astronomy at a calculus-based level.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of Admissions website.
Advising
Students considering a major in astronomy should confer early with a departmental representative about the selection of courses. The B.A. degree is appropriate for students who want a general education in astronomy as part of a broadly structured liberal education. The B.S. is a more specialized program with a substantial emphasis on physics content as well as astronomy. It provides preparation for a professional career or graduate work in astronomy, astrophysics, or related fields. A total of 120 credit hours is required for graduation.
Requirements for the B.S. Degree in Astronomy
All students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy must complete the KU Core requirements in addition to the degree and major requirements. For details regarding the KU Core requirements, please see the KU Core section of the catalog.
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| |
EECS 138 | Introduction to Computing: _____ | 3-4 |
or EECS 168 | Programming I |
or EECS 169 | Programming I: Honors |
| |
MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
or MATH 145 | Calculus I, Honors |
| |
MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
or MATH 146 | Calculus II, Honors |
| |
PHSX 150 | Seminar in Physics, Astronomy and Engineering Physics | 0.5 |
| 5 |
PHSX 211 & PHSX 216 | General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | 5 |
PHSX 213 | General Physics I Honors | 5 |
| 4 |
PHSX 212 & PHSX 236 | General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory | 4 |
PHSX 214 | General Physics II Honors | 4 |
| |
CHEM 130 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
or CHEM 150 | Chemistry for Engineers |
or CHEM 170 | Chemistry for the Chemical Sciences I |
or CHEM 190 & CHEM 191 | Foundations of Chemistry I, Honors and Foundations of Chemistry I Laboratory, Honors |
| |
MATH 127 | Calculus III | 4 |
or MATH 147 | Calculus III, Honors |
| |
MATH 290 | Elementary Linear Algebra | 2 |
or MATH 291 | Elementary Linear Algebra, Honors |
| |
MATH 320 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
or MATH 220 | Applied Differential Equations |
or MATH 221 | Applied Differential Equations, Honors |
| 3 |
| Mathematical Physics | |
| Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences | |
| Applied Mathematical Statistics I | |
| Mathematical Models | |
| Introductory Modern Algebra | |
| Numerical Methods | |
| Linear Algebra | |
| Mathematical Theory of Statistics | |
| Complex Variable and Applications | |
| Applied Partial Differential Equations | |
| Calculus of Variations and Integral Equations | |
| Geometry I | |
| Geometry II | |
| |
| |
ASTR 391 | Physical Astronomy, Honors | 3 |
ASTR 591 | Stellar Astronomy | 3 |
ASTR 592 | Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy | 3 |
ASTR 596 | Observational Astrophysics | 2 |
ASTR 691 | Astrophysics I | 3 |
ASTR 692 | Astrophysics II | 3 |
ASTR 503 | Undergraduate Research | 1-4 |
| |
| |
PHSX 313 | General Physics III | 3 |
| |
PHSX 316 | Intermediate Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| |
PHSX 611 | Introductory Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| |
PHSX 536 | Electronic Circuit Measurement and Design | 4 |
PHSX 616 | Physical Measurements | 4 |
| |
PHSX 521 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| |
PHSX 531 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| |
PHSX 671 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
| 3 |
| Topics in Advanced Astrophysics | |
| Space Plasma Physics | |
| Space Plasma Physics |
| Gravitation and Cosmology (recommended) | |
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses (above), majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 30 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior(300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BS in Astronomy. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill KU Core Goals, please visit the KU Core website.
This degree plan assumes students will have completed MATH 104, or its equivalent, prior to the freshman year, fall semester.
Freshman |
---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
MATH 125 (Goal 1.2 Quantitative Literacy, Major Requirement) | 4 | ASTR 391 (Major Requirement SPRING ONLY) | 3 |
PHSX 150 (Major Requirement)4 | 0.5 | MATH 126 (Major Requirement) | 4 |
CHEM 130 or 170 ( Goal 3 Natural Science, Major Requirement) | 5 | PHSX 211 & PHSX 216 (Goal 1.1 Critical Thinking, Major Requirement)5 | 5 |
Goal 2.1 Written Communication (1 of 2) | 3 | EECS 138 or 168 (Major Requirement)8 | 3-4 |
Goal 3 Social Science | 3 | |
| 15.5 | | 15-16 |
Sophomore |
---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ASTR 591 (Major Requirement)2,4 | 3 | ASTR 592 (Major Requirement)3,4 | 3 |
PHSX 212 & PHSX 236 (Goal 3 Natural Science, Major Requirement)6 | 4 | PHSX 313 (Goal 3 Natural Science, Major Requirement) | 3 |
MATH 127 (Pre-requisite for Major Requirement) | 4 | PHSX 316 (Major Requirement) | 1 |
MATH 290 (Major Requirement) | 2 | MATH 320 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
Goal 2.1 Written Communication (2 of 2) | 3 | Goal 3 Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| ASTR 503 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| 16 | | 16 |
Junior |
---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ASTR 596 (Goal 6 Integration & Creativity, Major Requirement)3,4 | 3 | ASTR 692 (Major Requirement)3,4 | 3 |
ASTR 691 (Major Requirement)4 | 3 | PHSX 611 (Major Requirement)4 | 3 |
PHSX 521 (Major Requirement)4 | 3 | PHSX 616 or 536 (Major Requirement) | 4 |
PHSX Math Elective 300+ (Major Requirement)1 | 3 | Goal 4.1 US Diversity | 3 |
Goal 2.2 Communication | 3 | |
| 15 | | 13 |
Senior |
---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
PHSX 531 (Major Requirement)4 | 3 | ASTR Elective | 3 |
PHSX 671 (Major Requirement)4 | 3 | PHSX Elective 500+ (Major Requirement)1 | 3 |
Goal 4.2 Global Awareness | 3 | Goal 5 Social Responsibility and Ethics | 3 |
ASTR Elective | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours7 | 3 |
ASTR Elective | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours7 | 3 |
| 15 | | 15 |
Total Hours 120.5-121.5 |
Please note:
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.
The same course cannot be used to fulfill more than one KU Core Goal. However, overlap of a KU Core course with a major or degree-specific requirement is allowed. Overlapping is recommended to allow more opportunities to explore other majors and/or minors.
Departmental Honors in Physics and Astronomy
Qualified students earning either a B.A. or a B.S. degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a major in astronomy or physics may graduate with Honors in Physics & Astronomy by fulfilling the following requirements: (1) By the end of the candidate's final semester, achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major, in all courses taken in residence and elsewhere; and (2) Complete at least 24 semester hours of astronomy and physics courses numbered 500 or above, including undergraduate research represented by two hours of credit in ASTR 501, ASTR 503, PHSX 501 or PHSX 503. A grade of B or better must be earned in one of the following: ASTR 501, ASTR 503, PHSX 501 or PHSX 503. All of our department’s honors requirements include student research, for which results shall be presented in either: (1) a written research summary, read by 3 faculty members in physics and astronomy or related fields or authorship on a peer-reviewed manuscript; or (2) a research-based oral presentation at an appropriate venue (e.g., Undergraduate Research symposium, a presentation in an advanced department seminar class, a discipline specific meeting); or (3) presentation of a poster at an appropriate venue. Students intending to graduate with honors in physics and astronomy must file a Declaration of Intent Form with the Departmental Honors Coordinator, preferably during their junior year but no later than enrollment for the final undergraduate semester.