Astronomy, Minor (318)
Program Requirements (19-20 hours)
The minor in astronomy is designed to provide a background in astronomy for students with a range of backgrounds. Science majors can choose from a variety of specializations connecting to other fields (Option A below), such as astrobiology, astrochemistry, astrostatistics, or planetary science. Students in other disciplines may still obtain a firm grounding in basic astronomy and physics, supplemented with relevant courses from other fields (Option B below.
A minor in astronomy consists of 19-20 credit hours.
Option A
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option A: Required Courses | ||
| ASTR 214 | General Astronomy | 4 |
| ASTR 314 | Observational Astronomy | 4 |
| Option A: Electives 1 | 12 | |
| Students choose a specialization area that interests them and take a minimum of two courses (at least 6 hours) from this area , plus enough other courses from the list of general elective courses to reach the 20 hour program option requirement. | ||
| Total Hours | 20 | |
- 1
Option A: Special Elective Courses (6+ hours)
Astrophysics: ASTR 305, ASTR 414, PHYS 321, PHYS 350
Astrochemistry: ASTR 305, CHEM 340, CHEM 342, CHEM 420, CHEM 450, CHEM 452
Astrobiology: ASTR 305, BIOL 316, BIOL 319
Astronomical Instrumentation: ASTR 305, EE 445, EE 479
Astrostatistics: ASTR 305, STAT 301, STAT 330
Planetary Science: ASTR 305, GEOL 325, GEOL 330, GEOL 430, GEOL 465, METR 438, METR 439
Option A: General Elective Courses
ASTR 305, ASTR 414, PHYS 180, PHYS 231, PHYS 255, PHYS 265, PHYS 321, PHYS 332, PHYS 465
Option B
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option B: Required Courses | ||
| ASTR 314 | Observational Astronomy | 4 |
| Choose two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Light, Color and Vision | ||
| Astronomy of the Solar System | ||
| Astronomy of Stellar Systems | ||
| Option B: Electives | 9 | |
| Students choose three unduplicated courses from the following list: | ||
| Introduction to Astrobiology | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Internship in Physics and Astronomy | ||
| Interpreting America's National Parks | ||
| Total Hours | 19 | |
Students may petition the department to replace one of the above elective course with a different 3-hour course with a demonstrable connection to astronomy. The minor must include at least 10 credit hours at the 300-level or above.