Earth and Space Science (BS) - Astrophysics and Planetary Geology Track

Program of Study

Core IMPACTS Area : Institutional Priorities 14-5
Choose one of the following communication options3
Public Speaking
Foreign Language Course Options
AMSL, ARAB, CHIN, FREN, GERM, GREK, ITAL, JAPN, KREN, LATIN, PORT, SPAN - 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002; SWAH - 1001, 1002.
Take one of the following courses1-2
Scholarship Across the Disciplines
Introduction to Servant Leadership
Perspectives 1-hour
Perspectives 2-hour
Core IMPACTS Area : Mathematics & Quantitative Skills 13-7
DATA 1501Introduction to Data Science 3
MATH 1001Quantitative Skills and Reasoning3
MATH 1101Introduction to Mathematical Modeling3
MATH 1111College Algebra3
MATH 1113Pre-Calculus4
MATH 1125Applied Calculus3
MATH 1131Calculus with Analytic Geometry I4
MATH 1132Calculus with Analytic Geometry II4
MATH 1165Computer-Assisted Problem Solving3
MATH 1401Introduction to Statistics3
MATH 1501Calculus I4
MATH 2125Introduction to Discrete Mathematics3
STAT 1401Elementary Statistics3
Core IMPACTS Area : Political Science and U.S. History 6
HIST 2111U. S. History to 18653
or HIST 2112 U. S. History since 1865
POLS 1101American Government3
Core IMPACTS Area : Arts, Humanities, and Ethics 6
Select one Fine Arts course3
Art Appreciation
Introduction to the History of Art I– Prehistoric through Gothic
Introduction to the History of Art II– Renaissance through Modern
Music Appreciation
Theatre Appreciation
Comparative Arts 2
Select one Humanities course3
World Literature I
World Literature II
The Western Intellectual Tradition
Introduction to Digital Humanities
Introduction to Philosophy
Comparative Arts 2
Core IMPACTS Area : Communicating in Writing 6
ENGL 1101English Composition I3
ENGL 1102English Composition II3
Core IMPACTS Area : Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences 1,37-11
ANTH 1145Human Origins3
ASTR 1105Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System3
ASTR 1106Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies3
ASTR 1305Descriptive Astronomy Lab1
ATSC 1112Understanding the Weather3
ATSC 1112LUnderstanding the Weather Lab1
BIOL 1125Contemporary Issues in Biology Non-Lab3
BIOL 1215KIntroductory Biology4
BIOL 1225KContemporary Issues in Biology with Lab4
CHEM 1151
1151L
Survey of Chemistry I
and Survey of Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 1152
1152L
Survey of Chemistry II
and Survey of Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 1211
1211L
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 1212
1212L
Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry II Lab
4
CPSC 1105Introduction to Computing Principles and Technology3
CPSC 1301KComputer Science I4
ENVS 1105Environmental Studies3
ENVS 1105LEnvironmental Studies Laboratory1
ENVS 1205KSustainability and the Environment4
GEOG 2215Introduction to the Geographic Information Systems3
GEOL 1110Natural Disasters: Our Hazardous Environment3
GEOL 1121Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology3
GEOL 1121LIntroductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology Lab1
GEOL 1122Introductory Geo-sciences II: Historical Geology3
GEOL 1322Introductory Geo-sciences II: Historical Geology Lab1
GEOL 2225The Fossil Record4
PHYS 1111
PHYS 1311
Introductory Physics I
and Introductory Physics I Lab
4
PHYS 1112
PHYS 1312
Introductory Physics II
and Introductory Physics II Lab
4
PHYS 1125Physics of Color and Sound3
PHYS 1325Physics of Color and Sound Lab1
PHYS 2211
PHYS 2311
Principles of Physics I
and Principles of Physics I Lab
4
PHYS 2212
PHYS 2312
Principles of Physics II
and Principles of Physics II Lab
4
Core IMPACTS Area : Social Sciences6
Select one Behavioral Science course
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Moral Philosophy
Introduction to General Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Select one World Cultures course3
Discovering Archaeology
Cultural Anthropology
Ancient World Civilizations
Language and Culture
Language and Culture
World Regional Geography
World History to 1500
World History since 1500
Understanding Non-Western Cultures
Core IMPACTS Total Hours42
Health and Wellness3
KINS 1106Lifetime Wellness2
or PHED 1205 Concepts of Fitness
Select one of the following1
Any PEDS course
Body Mapping (Music Majors Only)
1

The hours applied in the Institutional Priorities; Mathematics & Quantitative Skills; and Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences areas must add to 18 credit hours. 

2

ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts, though listed under both Fine Arts and Humanities, may be taken only once. 

3

At least 4 of the credit hours in this area must be in a lab science course.

Major Requirements

Core Requirements
Complete the core requirements for this program45
Core Total45
Field of Study Requirements
Minimum grade of C is required
ASTR 1105Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System3
ATSC 1112Understanding the Weather3
ENVS 1205KSustainability and the Environment4
GEOL 1121Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology ("C" or better required in each course)3
GEOL 1121LIntroductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology Lab ("C" or better required in each course)1
Select one of the following sequences:4
Sequence 1:
Introductory Physics I
Introductory Physics I Lab
Sequence 2:
Principles of Physics I
Principles of Physics I Lab
Field of Study Requirements Total18
Required for the Major
Minimum grade of C is required
ASTR 1106Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies3
ASTR 1305Descriptive Astronomy Lab1
ASTR 3105Physics, Chemistry, and Geology of the Solar System3
ASTR 3115Introduction to Astrophysics3
ASTR 3205Observational Techniques for Astrophysics4
ENGR 2165Thermodynamics3
GEOL 3201Mineralogy and Petrology I4
Select one of the following PHYS sequences:4
Sequence 1:
Introductory Physics II
Introductory Physics II Lab
Sequence 2:
Principles of Physics II
Principles of Physics II Lab
PHYS 3100Waves and Optics3
PHYS 3200Twentieth Century Physics4
PHYS 4100Survey of Quantum Mechanics3
Required for the Major Total35
Major Electives
Select at least 25 credits in Program Electives25
Global and Climate Change
Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (if not taken in Area D)
Meteorology
Undergraduate Research in Astronomy
Special Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy Senior Thesis
Culture and Environment
Cell Biology
Genetics
Data Mining I
Data Mining II
Mineralogy and Petrology I
Mineralogy and Petrology II
Mineralogy and Petrology I
Stratigraphy and Basin Analysis
Mapping and Field Geology
Structural Geology
Senior Geology Seminar
Geochemistry
Oceanography
Field Methods in the Earth and Environmental Sciences
Hydrology
Geomorphology
Selected Topics in Geology
Contemporary Topics in Science
Differential Equations
Mathematical Statistics
Undergraduate Research in Physics
Statistical Computing
Research Methods
The following courses may be taken in Major Electives provided the required minimum of 39 upper level credit hours has been met:
Understanding the Weather Lab
Introductory Biology
Quantitative Chemical Analysis
Quantitative Chemical Analysis Lab
Computer Science I
Computer Science II
Introduction to Data Science
Digital Logic
Robotics Engineering Design
Introduction to the Geographic Information Systems
Introduction to Linear Algebra
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 3
Physics of Color and Sound
Physics of Color and Sound Lab
Elementary Statistics
Other PHYS, GEOL, ENVS, ASTR, ATSC, CHEM, ENGR, CPSC or MATH courses may be used toward Major Electives requirements as approved by the student's advisor.
Major Electives Total25
Total Credit Hours123

Program Map

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
ENGL 1101 English Composition I (minimum grade of C) 3
MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus (minimum grade of C) 1 4
CHEM 1211 Principles of Chemistry I (minimum grade of C) 3
CHEM 1211L Principles of Chemistry I Lab (minimum grade of C) 1
ASTR 1105 Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System (minimum grade of C) 3
ASTR 1305 Descriptive Astronomy Lab (minimum grade of C) 1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
ENGL 1102 English Composition II (minimum grade of C) 3
MATH 1131 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (minimum grade of C) 4
CHEM 1212 Principles of Chemistry II 3
CHEM 1212L Principles of Chemistry II Lab 1
ASTR 1106 Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies (minimum grade of C) 3
Area B2 ITDS 1779 (2), LEAD 1705 (2), PERS 1506 (1; may be repeated with different topic), PERS 1507 (2) 1
 Credit Hours15
Second Year
Fall
Area F Lab ScienceATSC 1112, ENVS 1105, ENVS 1205K, GEOL 1110, GEOL 1122 or BIOL 1215K (minimum grade of C) 3-4
GEOL 1121 Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology (minimum grade of C) 3
GEOL 1121L Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology Lab (minimum grade of C) 1
Area B1COMM 1110 Public Speaking or foreign language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 3
MATH 1132 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II 2 4
 Credit Hours14-15
Spring
PHYS 2211 Principles of Physics I (minimum grade of C) 3
PHYS 2311 Principles of Physics I Lab (minimum grade of C) 1
HIST 2111
U. S. History to 1865
or U. S. History since 1865
3
AREA CFine Arts 3
AREA EBehavioral Science 3
KINS 1106
Lifetime Wellness
or Concepts of Fitness
2
 Credit Hours15
Third Year
Fall
PHYS 2212 Principles of Physics II (minimum grade of C) 3
PHYS 2312 Principles of Physics II Lab (minimum grade of C) 1
ASTR 3105 Physics, Chemistry, and Geology of the Solar System (minimum grade of C) 4 3
Area EWorld Cultures 3
AREA HProgram Electives 3-4
PEDS Physical Education 1
 Credit Hours14-15
Spring
GEOL 3201 Mineralogy and Petrology I (minimum grade of C) 3 4
PHYS 3100 Waves and Optics (minimum grade of C) 4 3
ASTR 3115 Introduction to Astrophysics (minimum grade of C) 4 3
ENGR 2165 Thermodynamics (minimum grade of C) 3
AREA HProgram Electives 3-4
 Credit Hours16-17
Fourth Year
Fall
PHYS 3200 Twentieth Century Physics (minimum grade of C) 4 4
AREA CHumanities 3
POLS 1101 American Government 3
AREA HProgram Electives 6-8
 Credit Hours16-18
Spring
PHYS 4100 Survey of Quantum Mechanics (minimum grade of C) 4 3
ASTR 3205 Observational Techniques for Astrophysics (minimum grade of C) 4 4
AREA HProgram Electives 5 6-8
 Credit Hours13-15
 Total Credit Hours123
1

MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus can be replaced by MATH 1131 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I if placement tests allow.

2

MATH 1132 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II can be replaced by other area H if already taken.

3

GEOL 3201 Mineralogy and Petrology I is taught every 3 semesters. If not taken in this semester, it will not be offered again until Fall 2026.

4

The Area G courses ASTR 3105, ASTR 3115, ASTR 3205, PHYS 3100, PHYS 3200, and PHYS 4100 are each taught every 4 semesters. These courses should be taken at the earliest opportunity to avoid graduation delays.

5

May take additional Area H Program Electives if needed.

  • Area H Program Electives must total to 26 hours, which is 22 hours plus MATH 1132 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II, or 26 hours if MATH 1132 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II is  applied to Area D.

Admission Requirements

Students are presumed to enter the program with the equivalent of MATH 1111 College Algebra. Students without that background may need to take additional classes to meet course prerequisites.

Additional Program Requirements

There are no program specific academic regulations.