Required Courses for the Astronomy Major

Prerequisites

Physics 131, Particles and Motion	5	Honors versions of 131-133 are recommended for Honors students
Physics 132, Electricity and Magnetism	5
Physics 133, Thermal and Quantum Physics	5
Mathematics 151, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I	5
Mathematics 152, Calculus and Analytic Geometry II	5
Mathematics 153, Calculus and Analytic Geometry III	5
Mathematics 254, Calculus and Analytic Geometry IV	5

Major Program Requirements

Astronomy 291, Solar System Astronomy	5
Astronomy 292, Stellar and Galactic Astronomy	5
Astronomy 295, Undergraduate Seminar	1+1	Required effective Autumn 2008, 2 quarter sequence
Astronomy 350, Observational Techniques>	5
Astronomy 681 or 682, Stellar Structure or Cosmology	5	Only one of these courses is required
CSE 202, Intro to C++ Programming	4	Required effective Autumn 2008
Mathematics 415, Differential Equations	4
Mathematics 513, Vector Analysis	3
Mathematics 568, Linear Algebra	3
Physics 261, Particles and Waves I	4
Physics 262, Particles and Waves II	4
Physics 263, Particles and Waves III	4
Physics 416, Methods of Experimental Physics	4	Required effective Autumn 2008
Physics 555, Fields and Waves I	4
Physics 631, Quantum Physics I	4	Honors versions of 631-632 are recommended for Honors students
Physics 632, Quantum Physics II	4
Physics 656, Fields and Waves II	4
Physics 621, Statistical Physics I	4
Physics 664, Theoretical Mechanics	4	Not required effective Autumn 2008

Note that between 2008 and 2009 CSE 202, Physics 416, and Astronomy 295 were added to the astronomy major and Physics 664 was dropped. These changes are effective for all students who first enroll in Autumn 2008 or after. Students who enrolled before this date may follow either set of requirements in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Other Recommended Courses

Astronomy H783, Honors Research	6
Physics 622, Statistical Physics II	4
Physics 596, Writing Course	3
Physics 730, Methods of Theoretical Physics	3

For More Information

The website for the Astronomy Major and Minor includes a Recommended Sample Curriculum.

Director of Undergraduate Studies:

Professor Paul Martini
Department of Astronomy
4021 McPherson Lab
140 West 18th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1173
Phone: +1 614 292-8632
Email: martini.10@osu.edu