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Office of the University Registrar

2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Astronomy
College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Arts
Hours for Degree: 120
Minor: Yes
Combined-Degree Program: No
Website: www.astro.ufl.edu/UnderProg.html

Students comfortable with mathematics and physics who have a strong interest in understanding the nature of the solar system, stars, galaxies and the universe are encouraged to consider majoring in astronomy. 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.

In addition to the general requirements of CLAS, students majoring in astronomy with the B.S. must take AST 3018, 3019 and 3722C; MAC 2311, 2312 and 2313; MAP 2302; PHY 2048, 2048L, 2049, 2049L, 3101, 3221, 3323, 4222 and 4324. One additional physics course must be selected from PHY 3513, PHY 4422, PHY 4523, and PHY 4604. Majors must also select five additional 3-credit courses from among the 4000-level astronomy courses. All required courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Students planning graduate work in astronomy should talk with the undergraduate coordinator and plan to take PHY 4604 and additional courses from the following: PHY 3513, 4422 and 4523; MAS 3114, MAA 4402, MAP 4403, STA 3032 and CGS 2420 or CGS 2421.

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.


Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Note: UF freshmen and sophomores should plan to take AST 3018 by the fourth semester.

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA for semesters 1-5
  • Complete MAC 1147 or MAC 2311

Semester 2:

  • Complete MAC 2311

Semester 3:

  • Complete MAC 2312, PHY 2048 and PHY 2048L with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 4:

  • Complete MAC 2313, PHY 2049 and PHY 2049L with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5:

  • Complete AST 3018 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

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

Semester 1Credits
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M)4
Biological Science (GE-B)3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 16
Semester 2Credits
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M)4
PHY 2048 and 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
Biological Science (GE-B)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Total 14
Semester 3Credits
AST 3018 Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 (GE-P)3
MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 34
PHY 2049 and 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P)4
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 14
Semester 4Credits
AST 3019 Astronomy and Astrophysics 2 (GE-P)3
AST 3722C Techniques of Observational Astronomy 13
MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 15
Semester 5Credits
AST course (4000 level)3
PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics3
PHY 3221 Mechanics 13
PHY 3513 Thermal Physics 1 or elective3
Foreign language3-5
Total 15-17
Semester 6Credits
AST course (4000 level)3
AST course (4000 level)3
PHY 3323 Electromagnetism 13
PHY 4222 Mechanics 23
Foreign language3-5
Total 15-17
Semester 7Credits
AST course (4000 level)3
PHY 4324 Electromagnetism 23
PHY 4604 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 or elective3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Elective (or complete foreign language if 4-3-3 option)3
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
AST course (4000 level)3
PHY 4422 Optics 1 or elective3
PHY 4523 Statistical Physics or elective3
Electives (3000-level non-major if needed)7-3
Total 16-12

Bachelor of Arts

In addition to the general requirements of CLAS, students majoring in astronomy with the B.A. must take AST 3018, 3019, and 3722C; MAC 2311, 2312, and 2313; PHY 2048, 2048L, 2049, 2049L, and 3101. Majors must also select three 3000- or 4000-level AST courses and an additional AST or PHY course at the 3000 or 4000 level. All required courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

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

Semester 1Credits
MAC 2311 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 14
Biological Sciences (GE-B)3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 16
Semester 2Credits
MAC 2312 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 24
PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 13
PHY 2048L Laboratory for PHY 2048 (GE-P)1
Biological Sciences (GE-B)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Total 14
Semester 3Credits
AST 3018 Astronomy and Astrophysics 13
MAC 2313 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 34
PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 23
PHY 2049L Laboratory for PHY 20491
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 14
Semester 4Credits
AST 3019 Astronomy and Astrophysics 23
AST 3722C Observational Techniques 13
Elective3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 15
Semester 5Credits
AST course (3000 or 4000 level)3
PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics3
Elective (3000 or 4000 level, not in major)3
Elective3
Foreign language3-5
Total 15-17
Semester 6Credits
AST course (3000 or 4000 level)3
Elective3
Electives (3000 or 4000 level, not in major)6
Foreign language3-5
Total 15-17
Semester 7Credits
AST course (3000 or 4000 level)3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Elective (or complete foreign language if 4-3-3 option)3
Electives6
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
AST or PHY course (3000 or 4000 level) or
PHY 2464 Physical Basis of Music
3
Electives6
Electives7-3
Total 16-12