Department of Physics and Astronomy: Undergraduate Program

This track prepares students to undertake graduate work in astronomy, astrophysics, or related earth and planetary sciences. It is not necessary to complete the minor in Astronomy as preparation for graduate work in astronomy or astrophysics, though many students will choose that option.

The Curriculum

A) Physics introductory courses [8 or 10 hours]:

PHYS 116a-116b + 118a-118b, or
PHYS 117a-117b + 119a-119b, or
PHYS 121a-121b, or
PHYS 137 + 121b

B) Core curriculum [19 hours]:

PHYS 225a-225b: Introduction to Quantum Physics and Applications [4+4]
PHYS 223: Thermal and Statistical Physics [3]
PHYS 227a: Intermediate Classical Mechanics [3]
PHYS 229a: Electricity, Magnetism, and Electrodynamics [3]
PHYS 250: Physics Undergraduate Colloquium [1]
ASTR 250: Astronomy Undergraduate Seminar [1]

C) Additional courses:

An introductory astronomy course, ASTR 102 or 205 [3]
PHYS 227b: intermediate classical mechanics [3]
PHYS 229b: Electricity, Magnetism and Electrodynamics [3]
PHYS 251a-251b: quantum physics [3]
PHYS 245 or ES 260: computational physics
One or more additional Astronomy courses at the 200+ level

D) Note: students preparing for graduate work in astronomy and astrophysics may want to take Astronomy 250 during additional semesters.

Sample astronomy and astrophysics program

	Fall Semester	Spring Semester
First Year	Physics 121a Math 150a or equivalent English 100W Foreign language 1	Physics 121b Math 150b or equivalent History and Culture 1(W) Foreign Language 2
Second Year	Physics 225a Astronomy 102 Math 170a or equivalent Humanities 1 (W) History and Culture 2	Physics 225b Astronomy 201 Math 170b or equivalent Humanities 2 Social Science 1
Third Year	Physics 227a Physics 223 Physics or Astronomy 250a Math 194 or 204 Social Science 2 History and Culture 3	Physics 227b Physics 229a Physics 245 Physics or Astronomy 250b Math 198 or 208 Social Science 2
Fourth Year	Physics 251a Physics 229b Astronomy 291a Physics or Astronomy 250a History and Culture 4	Physics 251b Astronomy 252 or 253 Astronomy 291b Physics or Astronomy 250b Humanities 3

For more information, please contact Dept of Physics and Astronomy.
2007 Vanderbilt University