Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Astronomy
Program Learning Outcomes for the BA Degree with a Major in Astronomy
Upon completing the BA degree with a major in Astronomy, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts in Mechanics.
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts in Electromagnetism.
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts in Quantum Mechanics.
- Be knowledgable in fundamental topics in Astronomy.
Requirements for the BA Degree with a Major in Astronomy
For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BA degree with a major in Astronomy must complete:
- A minimum of 53 credit hours to satisfy major requirements.
- A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
- A minimum of 19 credit hours taken at the 300-level or above.
The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the Physics and Astronomy department's undergraduate committee. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the major's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.
Summary
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in Astronomy | 53 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the BA Degree with a Major in Astronomy | 120 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| COMP 140 | COMPUTATIONAL THINKING | 4 |
| MATH 101 | SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS I 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 105 | AP/OTH CREDIT IN CALCULUS I | |
| MATH 102 | SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS II 1 | 3 |
| or MATH 106 | AP/OTH CREDIT IN CALCULUS II | |
| MATH 211 | ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS AND LINEAR ALGEBRA | 3 |
| or MATH 220 | HONORS ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | |
| or MATH 221 | HONORS CALCULUS III | |
| MATH 212 | MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS | 3 |
| or MATH 222 | HONORS CALCULUS IV | |
| or MATH 232 | HONORS MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS | |
| Select 1 from the following: 2 | 4 | |
| MECHANICS (WITH LAB) and MECHANICS DISCUSSION | ||
| HONORS MECHANICS (WITH LAB) | ||
| Select 1 from the following: 3 | 4 | |
| ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM (WITH LAB) and ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM DISCUSSION | ||
| HONORS ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM (WITH LAB) | ||
| PHYS 201 | WAVES, LIGHT, AND HEAT | 3 |
| PHYS 202 | MODERN PHYSICS | 3 |
| PHYS 231 | ELEMENTARY PHYSICS LAB | 1 |
| PHYS 301 | INTERMEDIATE MECHANICS | 4 |
| PHYS 302 | INTERMEDIATE ELECTRODYNAMICS | 4 |
| ASTR 230 | ASTRONOMY LAB | 3 |
| ASTR 350 | INTRODUCTION TO ASTROPHYSICS-STARS | 3 |
| ASTR 360 | INTRODUCTION TO ASTROPHYSICS-GALAXY AND COSMO | 3 |
| ASTR 400 | UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SEMINAR (2 semesters required, 1st semester) | 1 |
| ASTR 400 | UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SEMINAR (2 semesters required, 2nd semester) | 1 |
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| STATISTICAL METHODS IN PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY | ||
| ASTROPHYSICS I: SUN AND STARS | ||
| ASTROPHYSICS II: GALAXIES AND COSMOLOGY | ||
| SOLAR SYSTEM PHYSICS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PLASMA PHYSICS | ||
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in Astronomy | 53 | |
| Additional Credit Hours to Complete Degree Requirements * | 36 | |
| University Graduation Requirements * | 31 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| * | Note: University Graduation Requirements include 31 credit hours, comprised of Distribution Requirements (Groups I, II, and III), FWIS, and LPAP coursework. In some instances, courses satisfying FWIS or distribution requirements may additionally meet other requirements, such as the Analyzing Diversity (AD) requirement, or some of the student’s declared major, minor, or certificate requirements. Additional Credit Hours to Complete Degree Requirements include general electives, coursework completed as upper-level, residency (hours taken at Rice), and/or any other additional academic program requirements. |
| 1 | Students without credit for basic calculus (e.g. MATH 101/MATH 105 and/or MATH 102/MATH 106) must either enroll in the relevant course(s) or substitute more advanced MATH or CMOR coursework, with prior approval by the Physics and Astronomy department's Undergraduate Program Committee, to earn the required credit. |
| 2 | The Physics department has determined that credit awarded for PHYS 141 CONCEPTS IN PHYSICS I is not eligible for meeting the requirements of the Astronomy major. |
| 3 | The Physics department has determined that credit awarded for PHYS 142 CONCEPTS IN PHYSICS II is not eligible for meeting the requirements of the Astronomy major. |
Policies for the BA Degree with a Major in Astronomy
Program Restrictions and Exclusions
Students pursuing the major in Astronomy should be aware of the following program restrictions:
- As noted in Majors, Minors, and Certificates, students may not major and minor in the same subject.
- Students pursuing the major in Astronomy may not additionally declare the major in Astrophysics.
- Students pursuing the major in Astronomy may not additionally declare the minor in Physics.
Transfer Credit
For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the designated transfer credit advisor for the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course (corresponding to the subject code of the course content). The Office of Academic Advising maintains the university’s official list of transfer credit advisors on their website: https://oaa.rice.edu. Students are encouraged to meet with the applicable transfer credit advisor as well as their academic program director when considering transfer credit possibilities.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Physics and Astronomy website: https://physics.rice.edu/.
Opportunities for the BA Degree with a Major in Astronomy
Academic Honors
The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate’s academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work. Some departments have department-specific Honors awards or designations.
Research in the Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Physics and Astronomy Department encourages undergraduate participation in research, both within the department and through extramural programs. For current opportunities, please click on the Research tab on the department website.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Physics and Astronomy website: https://physics.rice.edu/.