Physics Area (Astrophysics Track) – Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Science in Physics - Astrophysics Track helps to prepare students who wish to pursue a graduate-level degree in physics and astrophysics and will be applying for admission to graduate schools in physics in those fields. This program combines rigorous upper level courses in advanced topics in astrophysics (with an emphasis on connections to concepts seen in core physics classes) along with numerous opportunities to pursue research projects with faculty members. The main goal of this program is to provide students with both a broad base of knowledge regarding currently active fields in modern astrophysics coupled with extensive experience in research, thus making the students very competitive for admission into graduate programs.
Program Competencies
Students will:
- Develop enough learning techniques to adapt to new vocational and educational situations, i.e. be able to self-educate in new applied areas and keep up with progress in the field.
- Develop enough self-confidence, personal independence and understanding of scientific methods to carry out a technical project on one's own with only consultant-style help.
- Read technical literature with good comprehension.
- Write technical reports in a clear and logical way.
- Present oral reports on technical material in a clear and logical way.
- Be able to retrieve any needed information from the scientific literature.
- Analyze laboratory data for its correctness and locate probable sources of error, including an understanding of standard statistical tests and the concepts of error and uncertainty, and an understanding of the advantages and limitations of current instrumental and other laboratory techniques.
- Be able to use the basic principles of physics as presented in the first-year class in a wide variety of contexts, especially the relationship force to motion. Be able to relate scientific principles to observed behavior.
- Comprehend the major concepts of Newtonian analysis of motion, energy and momentum conservation, rotational motion, electric and magnetic fields and optics, including interference.
- Analyze and interpret astrophysical data, in particular understand how these data were obtained and calibrated.
Assessment
- Force Concept Inventory.
- Capstone Presentation.
- Research Project Knowledge Scores.
- Research Presentation Communication Scores.
- Research Paper Scores.
Program Requirements
General Education
Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University. Program requirements that are also general education requirements will count in both places (as applicable).
Area Requirements
Physics Core Requirements
Astrophysics Track Requirements
Three hours from the following technical electives:
| ASTR 299 | Special Topics in Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR 403 | Astrophysical Instrumentation and Payloads | 3 |
| MATH 365 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| PHYS 412 | Light and Physical Optics | 3 |
| SSE 299 | Selected Topics in Space Science and Engineering | 3 |
| SSE 399 | Selected Topics | 1-4 |
| SSE 476 | Directed Research | 1-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Free Electives
Total Credit Hours: 120