Earth and Space Science (BS) - Astrophysics and Planetary Geology Track
Program Overview
Astrophysics is the study of planets, stars, galaxies and the universe itself. Planetary Geology is the study of planets beyond Earth, and to an extent the study of Earth as a planet.
Career Opportunities
Majoring in a physical science, such as our Astrophysics and Planetary Geology degree, sets you up for a wealth of possible careers because you will become an excellent problem solver. Working for or with NASA as they move into the 2010s and beyond is only one of the many possibilities. People with similar degrees also work as writers, doctors, lawyers, and engineers.
- Physics degree holders are in the top 2 scoring groups of majors on the MCAT (2003 statistics)
- NASA expects not to have enough people to replace those who will be retiring in the next 20 years. NASA funds missions to study the Earth as well as astronomical objects.
- News outlets need science journalists, and movies often employ scientists as consultants.
- Staff for Members of Congress and patent lawyers need technical and scientific backgrounds.
Becoming an Astrophysics and Planetary Geology major will open up a world (or even a universe!) of possibilities for you after you leave Columbus.
Program of Study
Click on the Program Map tab to view a term-by-term guide for completing the program requirements.
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Area A Essential Skills | ||
| ENGL 1101 | English Composition I (minimum grade of C) | 3 |
| ENGL 1102 | English Composition II (minimum grade of C) | 3 |
| MATH 1113 | Pre-Calculus 1 | 4 |
| or MATH 1131 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | |
| Area A Total | 9 | |
| Area B Institutional Options 2 | ||
| B1: Select 3 hours of following courses: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
Any Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 | ||
| B2: Select 1 hour of the following courses: | 1 | |
| Scholarship Across the Disciplines | ||
| Introduction to Servant Leadership | ||
| Perspectives 1-hour | ||
| Perspectives 2-hour | ||
| Area B Total | 4 | |
| Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics | ||
| Select one of the following humanities courses: | 3 | |
| World Literature I | ||
| World Literature II | ||
| Comparative Arts 3 | ||
| The Western Intellectual Tradition | ||
| Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Select one of the following fine arts courses: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Comparative Arts 3 | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Theatre Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to the History of Art I– Prehistoric through Gothic | ||
| Introduction to the History of Art II– Renaissance through Modern | ||
| Area C Total | 6 | |
| Area D Science/Math/Technology 2 | ||
| D1: Select two of the following lab science courses: | 8 | |
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I Lab | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II Lab | ||
| D2: Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Calculus with Analytic Geometry I 1 | ||
| Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | ||
| Area D Total | 11 | |
| Area E Social Sciences | ||
| HIST 2111 | U. S. History to 1865 | 3 |
| or HIST 2112 | U. S. History since 1865 | |
| POLS 1101 | American Government | 3 |
| Select one of the following behavioral science courses: | 3 | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Moral Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Select one of the following world culture courses: | 3 | |
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Discovering Archaeology | ||
| Ancient World Civilizations | ||
| Language and Culture | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History since 1500 | ||
| Introduction to International Studies and Cross-Cultural Learning | ||
| Understanding Non-Western Cultures | ||
| Area E Total | 12 | |
| Wellness Requirement | ||
| KINS 1106 | Lifetime Wellness | 2 |
| or PHED 1205 | Concepts of Fitness | |
| Select one PEDS course | 1 | |
| Wellness Total | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
- 1
Extra hour applied to Area F.
- 2
Note: Students whose majors require 2 lab science courses in Area D complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.
- Area B1, 3 hours;
- Area B2, 1 hour;
- Area D1, 8 hours;
- Area D2, 3 hours.
- 3
ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Complete the core requirements for this program | 45 | |
| Core Total | 45 | |
| Area F Courses Related to Major | ||
| Minimum grade of C is required | ||
| GEOL 1121 | Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology ("C" or better required in each course) | 3 |
| GEOL 1121L | Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology Lab ("C" or better required in each course) | 1 |
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8 | |
Sequence 1: | ||
| Introductory Physics I | ||
| Introductory Physics II | ||
| Introductory Physics I Lab | ||
| Introductory Physics II Lab | ||
Sequence 2: | ||
| Principles of Physics I | ||
| Principles of Physics II | ||
| Principles of Physics I Lab | ||
| Principles of Physics II Lab | ||
| Select 3 or more hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System | ||
| Descriptive Astronomy Lab | ||
| Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies | ||
| Understanding the Weather | ||
| Principles of Biology | ||
| Environmental Studies | ||
| Sustainability and the Environment | ||
| Natural Disasters: Our Hazardous Environment | ||
| Introductory Geo-sciences II: Historical Geology | ||
| 1 hour from Area A (MATH 1113 or MATH 1131) | 1 | |
| 1 hour from Area D (MATH 1131 or MATH 1132) | 1 | |
| Apply one hour of ASTR, ATSC, CPSC, CHEM, ENGR, ENVS, GEOL, MATH, PHYS, or PERS (with science topic) at the 1000-2000 level | 1 | |
| Area F Total | 18 | |
| Area G Program Requirements | ||
| Minimum grade of C is required | ||
| ASTR 1105 | Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System | 3 |
| ASTR 1106 | Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies | 3 |
| ASTR 1305 | Descriptive Astronomy Lab | 1 |
| ASTR 3105 | Physics, Chemistry, and Geology of the Solar System | 3 |
| ASTR 3115 | Introduction to Astrophysics | 3 |
| ASTR 3205 | Observational Techniques for Astrophysics | 4 |
| ENGR 2165 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| GEOL 3266 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| PHYS 3100 | Waves and Optics | 3 |
| PHYS 3200 | Twentieth Century Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 4100 | Survey of Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| Area G Total | 34 | |
| Area H Program Electives | ||
| MATH 1132 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (if not taken in Area D) | 4 |
| Select at least 22 credits in Program Electives | 22 | |
| Meteorology | ||
| Undergraduate Research in Astronomy | ||
| Special Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics | ||
| Astronomy Senior Thesis | ||
| Data Mining I | ||
| Data Mining II | ||
| Digital Logic | ||
| Robotics Engineering Design | ||
| Igneous and Metamorphic Geology | ||
| Sedimentary Geology | ||
| Stratigraphy and Basin Analysis | ||
| Mapping and Field Geology | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
| Senior Geology Seminar | ||
| Geochemistry | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Selected Topics in Geology | ||
| Contemporary Topics in Science | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Undergraduate Research in Physics | ||
| Statistical Computing | ||
The following courses may be taken in Area H provided the required minimum of 39 upper level credit hours has been met: | ||
| Understanding the Weather Lab | ||
| Quantitative Chemical Analysis | ||
| Quantitative Chemical Analysis Lab | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computer Science II | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| 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 Area H requirements as approved by the student's advisor. | ||
| Area H Total | 26 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
Program Map
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit 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 Hours | 15 | |
| 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 Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Area F Lab Science | ATSC 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 B1 | COMM 1110 Public Speaking or foreign language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 | 3 |
| MATH 1132 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II 2 | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 14-15 | |
| 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 or HIST 2112 |
U. S. History to 1865 or U. S. History since 1865 |
3 |
| AREA C | Fine Arts | 3 |
| AREA E | Behavioral Science | 3 |
| KINS 1106 or PHED 1205 |
Lifetime Wellness or Concepts of Fitness |
2 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| 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 E | World Cultures | 3 |
| AREA H | Program Electives | 3-4 |
| PEDS Physical Education | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 3266 | Mineralogy (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 H | Program Electives | 3-4 |
| Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 3200 | Twentieth Century Physics (minimum grade of C) 4 | 4 |
| AREA C | Humanities | 3 |
| POLS 1101 | American Government | 3 |
| AREA H | Program Electives | 6-8 |
| Credit Hours | 16-18 | |
| 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 H | Program Electives 5 | 6-8 |
| Credit Hours | 13-15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
- 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 3266 Mineralogy 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.
Additional Notes
This program map illustrates appropriate coursework for completing a degree within four years, provided that course grades allow for earned credit. Please consult with your advisor to determine when courses can be switched out with others and taken in a different semester or sequence than illustrated since not all courses are taught every semester.
- This map is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a legal contract on the part of CSU since degree requirements or course offerings could change. As always, check with your advisor.
- Students must complete "Area A " (ENGL 1101 English Composition I, ENGL 1102 English Composition II, and MATH 1001 Quantitative Skills and Reasoning or higher) prior to reaching 30 hours and earn a "C" or higher in ENGL 1101 and 1102.
- As of Fall 2013, all undergraduate students are required each semester to meet the 2.0 institutional GPA standard for satisfactory academic progress.
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.
Program Learning Outcomes
- demonstrate a working knowledge of the major conceptual areas of astronomy and astrophysics.
- demonstrate competence in the technical aspects of astronomical and planetary research, including collection and analysis of data, use of telescopes, and ability to interpret astronomical and geological data.
- demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate scientific information and appropriate interpretations of geological and/or astronomical data through written or verbal presentation.