Astronomy
Students comfortable with mathematics and physics who have a strong interest in understanding the nature of the Solar System and other planetary systems, stars, galaxies and the universe are encouraged to consider majoring in astronomy.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science
- Hours for Degree: 120
- Minor: Yes
- Website: www.astro.ufl.edu/education/undergraduate/undergraduate.html
Overview
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.
Coursework for the Major
All required courses must be completed with grades of C or better.
Required Coursework
In addition to the general requirements of CLAS, the B.S. in astronomy requires:
- AST 3018, 3019 and 3722C
- Five additional 3-credit courses at the 4000 level (Prerequisites: AST 3018 and 3019)
- MAC 2311, 2312 and 2313
- MAP 2302
- PHY 2048, 2048L, 2049, 2049L, 3101, 3221, 3323, 4222 and 4324
- Choose one course from PHY 3513, PHY 4422, PHY 4523 or PHY 4604.
In addition to the general requirements of CLAS, the B.A. in astronomy requires:
- AST 3018, 3019 and 3722C
- Three or more astronomy courses at the 3000 or 4000 level
- MAC 2311, 2312 and 2313
- PHY 2048, 2048L, 2049, 2049L and 3101
- An additional AST or PHY course at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Recommended Coursework
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; CGS 2420 or CGS 2421, and MAA 4402, MAP 4403, MAS 3114, STA 3032.
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 education 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. are encouraged to engage in research with astronomy faculty by signing up for at least three credits of AST 4905; no more than six credits can be counted toward the required 4000-level courses.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
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
Note: UF freshmen and sophomores should plan to take AST 3018 by the fourth semester.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math 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).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| MAC 2311 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1 | 4 |
| Biological Sciences (GE-B) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| MAC 2312 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 2 | 4 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE-P) | 3 |
| PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (GE-P) | 1 |
| Biological Sciences (GE-B) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| AST 3018 Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 | 3 |
| MAC 2313 Analytical Geometry and Calculus 3 | 4 |
| PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (GE-P) | 3 |
| PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory (GE-P) | 1 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| AST 3019 Astronomy and Astrophysics 2 | 3 |
| AST 3722C Observational Techniques 1 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| AST course (3000/4000 level) | 3 |
| PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective (3000/4000 level, not in major) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| AST course (3000/4000 level) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000/4000 level, not in major) | 6 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| AST course (3000/4000 level) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective (or complete foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| AST or PHY course (3000 or 4000 level) or PHY 2464 Physical Basis of Music | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Electives | 3-7 |
| Total | 12-16 |
Bachelor of Science
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math 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).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| 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 2 | Credits |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) | 4 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE-P) | 3 |
| PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (GE-P) | 1 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| AST 3018 Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 (GE-P) | 3 |
| MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 | 4 |
| PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (GE-P) | 3 |
| PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory (GE-P) | 1 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| AST 3019 Astronomy and Astrophysics 2 (GE-P) | 3 |
| AST 3722C Techniques of Observational Astronomy 1 | 3 |
| MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| AST course (4000 level) | 3 |
| PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHY 3221 Mechanics 1 | 3 |
| PHY 3513 Thermal Physics 1 or elective | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| AST courses (4000 level) | 6 |
| PHY 3323 Electromagnetism 1 | 3 |
| PHY 4222 Mechanics 2 | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Total | 15-17 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| AST course (4000 level) | 3 |
| PHY 4324 Electromagnetism 2 | 3 |
| PHY 4604 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 or elective | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective (or complete foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| AST course (4000 level) | 3 |
| PHY 4422 Optics 1 or elective | 3 |
| PHY 4523 Statistical Physics or elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level, non-major if needed) | 3-7 |
| Total | 12-16 |