{"id":9079,"date":"2020-09-09T13:14:10","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T17:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/?page_id=9079"},"modified":"2026-02-04T18:53:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T23:53:03","slug":"ba-astronomy-physics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/undergraduate\/ba-astronomy-physics\/","title":{"rendered":"BA, Astronomy &#038; Physics"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Our Program<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Astronomy &amp; Physics (A&amp;P)<\/strong> majors gain broad knowledge of the principles of astronomy and physics, including planets in the solar system, stars and star formation, the nature of the interstellar medium, galaxies and cosmology, classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and mathematical methods of physics. A&amp;P students learn to communicate astronomical information effectively to a range of audiences using a variety of media. They learn to think critically and evaluate, interpret, and solve problems related to astronomy, physics, and general scientific topics.<\/p>\n<p>The A&amp;P major is a joint program of the departments of Astronomy and <a href=\"http:\/\/physics.bu.edu\/\">Physics<\/a>, and is a pathway to research-oriented careers. It prepares students for either immediate workforce entry or graduate-level study in astronomy or related sciences. Students who wish to pursue advanced degrees in astronomy or astrophysics are advised to choose this major.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Degree Learning Outcomes<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the principles of astronomy.<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the principles of physics.<\/li>\n<li>Communicate astronomical information effectively, using a variety of media and methods, and to a range of audiences.<\/li>\n<li>Think critically and evaluate, interpret, and solve problems related to astronomical topics as well as other technical and general scientific topics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Course Requirements<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nThe Astronomy &amp; Physics major requires a total of <strong>19 courses<\/strong>, each completed with a grade of <strong>C<\/strong> or higher. <\/p>\n<p>These 19 courses include four (4) prerequisite courses, and fifteen (15) required principal courses, with the required courses composed of: 13 specific astronomy, math, and physics courses, and two chosen from a selection of advanced astronomy and physics courses.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 align=\"center\" style=\"background-color: #D8D6E0;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Prerequisites &mdash; (4)<\/span><\/h4>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Astronomy<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-as-202\/\">AS 202<\/a> &#8211; Principles of Astronomy 1\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-as-203\/\">AS 203<\/a> &#8211; Principles of Astronomy 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Physics<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-211\/\">PY 211<\/a> &#8211; General Physics 1 (or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-251\/\">PY 251<\/a> &#8211; Principles of Physics 1)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-212\/\">PY 212<\/a> &#8211; General Physics 2 (or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-252\/\">PY 252<\/a> &#8211; Principles of Physics 2)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h4 align=\"center\" style=\"background-color: #D8D6E0;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Principal Courses &#8211; (Required) &mdash; (15)<\/span><\/h4>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Astronomy<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-as-311\/\">AS 311<\/a> &#8211; Planetary Physics<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-as-312\/\">AS 312<\/a> &#8211; Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-as-441\/\">AS 441<\/a> <strong>*<\/strong> &#8211; Observational Astronomy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Math<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-ma-123\/\">MA 123<\/a> <strong>**<\/strong> &#8211; Calculus 1<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-ma-124\/\">MA 124<\/a> <strong>**<\/strong> &#8211; Calculus 2<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-ma-225\/\">MA 225<\/a> &#8211; Multivariate Calculus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Physics<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-313\/\">PY 313<\/a> &#8211; Waves and Modern Physics<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-351\/\">PY 351<\/a> &#8211; Modern Physics 1)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-355\/\">PY 355<\/a> &#8211; Methods of Theoretical Physics<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-405\/\">PY 405<\/a> &#8211; Electromagnetic Fields and Waves 1<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-406\/\">PY 406<\/a> &#8211; Electromagnetic Fields and Waves II<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-408\/\">PY 408<\/a> &#8211; Intermediate Mechanics<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-410\/\">PY 410<\/a> &#8211; Statistical Thermodynamics<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-451\/\">PY 451<\/a> &#8211; Quantum Physics 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Additional Courses<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\nAnd at least two courses from the following list:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-as-413\/\">AS 413<\/a> &#8211; Planetary Physics<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-as-414\/\">AS 414<\/a> &#8211; Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-452\/\">PY 452<\/a> &#8211; Quantum Physics 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h3><i>Notes<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<li>(<strong>*<\/strong>) &mdash; <i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-581\/\">PY 581<\/a> may be substituted for AS 441.<\/i><\/li>\n<li>(<strong>**<\/strong>) &mdash; <i>Students who enter the program with a strong background in calculus may substitute CAS MA 127 <strong>or<\/strong> MA 129 for the combination of MA 123 <strong>and<\/strong> MA 124, in consultation with their academic advisor.<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Recommended Courses<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nRecommended courses include any from the above required list if not taken as a required course, in addition to any of the following:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Math<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-ma-226\/\">MA 226<\/a> &#8211; Differential Equations<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-ma-242\/\">MA 242<\/a> &#8211; Linear Algebra<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Physics<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-py-371\/\">PY 371<\/a> &#8211; Electronics for Scientists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Earth &amp; Environment<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-ee-302\/\">EE 302<\/a> &#8211; Remote Sensing of Environment<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-ee-310\/\">EE 310<\/a> &#8211; Climate and the Environment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"border:none;\">\n<col>\n<colgroup span=\"2\"><\/colgroup>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"vertical-align: top; width: 20%;\">\n<h4>Computer Science<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-cs-111\/\">CS 111<\/a> &#8211; Introduction to Computer Science 1<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/cas\/courses\/cas-cs-112\/\">CS 112<\/a> &#8211; Introduction to Computer Science 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Advising<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nEffective academic advising is an important part of every academic program. Any student considering one of the astronomy majors is urged to discuss their goals, and how these might be met, with the Astronomy <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/people\/staff#dus\">Director of Undergraduate Studies<\/a><\/strong>.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Declaring an Astronomy Major<\/h4>\n<p>To declare or add the BA in Astronomy &amp; Physics major, please review our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/academics\/undergraduate\/advising#major\">Advising FAQ: Declaring an Astronomy Major<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">BU Hub Categories<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nStarting Fall 2018, all first-year, first-time students will pursue coursework related to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/hub\"><strong>BU Hub<\/strong><\/a>, a general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience.<\/p>\n<p>Students majoring in Astronomy &amp; Physics will ordinarily, through coursework in the major, satisfy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hub\/advising-and-the-hub\/hub-requirements-for-students\/\">BU Hub requirements<\/a> in:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Scientific Inquiry<\/li>\n<li>Quantitative Reasoning<\/li>\n<li>Communication<\/li>\n<li>Intellectual Toolkit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Honors in the Major<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/student-resources\/undergraduate\/honors-in-astronomy\/\"><strong>Honors in Astronomy<\/strong><\/a> is an opportunity for senior undergraduates in the Department of Astronomy to conduct in-depth research in the field and to become more fully involved in the intellectual life of the department. Students work with a faculty project advisor on an honors research project over the course of two semesters while enrolled in the Astronomy Honors courses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/academics\/courses\/inventory#honors\">AS 401 and AS 402<\/a>). <\/p>\n<p>Students each write a <strong>thesis<\/strong>, give a <strong>public presentation<\/strong> based on the thesis, and take an <strong>oral examination<\/strong> about the thesis with a small committee of Astronomy faculty members. In addition, students participate in one of four seminar and journal club series offerings.<\/p>\n<p>Students interested in the Honors in Astronomy program should consult with their faculty academic advisor or the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/people\/staff#dus\">Director of Undergraduate Studies<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Program Astronomy &amp; Physics (A&amp;P) majors gain broad knowledge of the principles of astronomy and physics, including planets in the solar system, stars and star formation, the nature of the interstellar medium, galaxies and cosmology, classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and mathematical methods of physics. A&amp;P students learn to communicate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7810,"featured_media":0,"parent":8799,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/landing.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9079"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7810"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9079"}],"version-history":[{"count":47,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9079\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12322,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9079\/revisions\/12322"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/astronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}