ATY_BA - Astronomy | Bachelor of Arts
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About This Program
About this Program
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy | Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics
- Credits for Degree: 120
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To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
The Department of Astronomy is home to a vibrant community actively engaged in research, education, and outreach. The department's faculty are involved in a wide range of research programs using world-class resources including an in-house design-through-fabrication instrumentation program, partner level access to the Gran Telescope Canarias, the HiPerGator-2 supercomputer, and more.
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CONTACT
Email | 352.294.1870 (tel) | 352.392.5089 (fax)
P.O. BOX 112055
211 BRYANT SPACE SCIENCE CENTER
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-2055
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Curriculum
About This Program
The BA in Astronomy is broader and less specialized than the BS, with the aim of developing and sharpening analytical and quantitative reasoning while at the same time cultivating broader knowledge that can be applied to a variety of careers, including business, law, the health professions, science writing, and teaching.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR
The BA in astronomy requires a total of 41 credits, 20 credits of foundation coursework and 21 credits of major coursework. Students pursuing the BA have greater flexibility for taking courses in other disciplines.
All courses must be completed with minimum grade of C.
Required Foundation Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 | 4 |
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 | 4 |
| MAC 2313 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 | 4 |
| PHY 2048 & 2048L | Physics with Calculus 1 and Laboratory for PHY 2048 | 4 |
| PHY 2049 & 2049L | Physics with Calculus 2 and Laboratory for PHY 2049 | 4 |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Required Major Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| AST 3018 | Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 | 3 |
| AST 3019 | Astronomy and Astrophysics 2 | 3 |
| AST 3722C | Techniques of Observational Astronomy 1 | 3 |
| Astronomy BA Major Electives | ||
| Two 3000/4000-level astronomy courses | 6 | |
| Select two courses from the list below: | 6 | |
AST or PHY courses at the 3000/4000 level | ||
| Introduction to the Solar System | ||
| Life in the Universe | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Planetary Geology | ||
| Evolution of Earth and Life | ||
| Astrobiology | ||
| Introduction to Modern Physics | ||
| Introduction to Biological Physics | ||
| The World of Water | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Recommended Coursework for Graduate Study
Students should talk with the undergraduate coordinator and plan to take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 4604 | Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1 | 3 |
| Select additional courses: | ||
| Computer Programming for Engineers | ||
| Functions of a Complex Variable | ||
| Computational Linear Algebra | ||
| Thermal Physics 1 | ||
| Optics 1 | ||
| Statistical Physics | ||
| Engineering Statistics | ||
Students of exceptional ability who have some background in physics are encouraged to take the enriched physics with calculus sequence PHY 2060/PHY 2061 instead of PHY 2048/PHY 2049; PHY 3063 may then be taken in place of PHY 3101; and PHZ 3113 may be substituted for PHY 3221.
Relevant Minors and Certificates
UFTeach Program
There is a severe shortage of qualified secondary science teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in becoming part of this high-demand profession should see the undergraduate coordinator about the UFTeach program. UFTeach students can complete the UFTeach minor in science teaching along with their BA in Astronomy and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.
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Research
Students pursuing the BS in Astrophysics are encouraged to engage in research with Astronomy faculty by signing up for at least three credits of AST 4911; 3 credits of AST 4911 may count toward the 4000-level requirement; an additional 3 credits of AST 4911 may be applied toward the 4000-level requirement with the approval of the undergraduate coordinator.