The APS Department is one of the few programs to combine both astrophysics and planetary science. As a result, we provide a unified view of solar and space sciences, planetary systems (our Solar System and others), stellar and galactic astronomy, and cosmology. We also offer hands-on experience with telescopes, optics, instrumentation, computer image processing and computer modeling. These skills are useful for students wishing to pursue graduate degrees or careers in aerospace, technical or computer industries.
The University of Colorado is recognized as a top university in the exploration and study of space. Our faculty members carry out forefront research in a wide range of disciplines, from theoretical cosmology to finding planets around other stars, from observing cosmic microwave background in Antarctica to building space probes to explore Mars' atmosphere. We offer many types of research opportunities for undergraduates including research-based courses, student positions that support research programs and individual research projects with faculty. Students can apply for funding from the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. The Honors Program encourages students to write research theses to qualify for Latin Honors upon graduation.
We encourage all students to explore and share their enthusiasm for science and we support a wide range of extra-curricular activities. These include student groups, the Learning Assistant program, research activities and public outreach. The Sommers-Bausch Observatory and Fiske Planetarium offer opportunities for undergraduate students to become involved.
We offer students the ability to graduate with honors. Students must maintain a minimum GPA and write and defend an honors thesis. More information can be obtained from the APS department office and/or the Honors Council Representative (Mark Rast). More general information about the honors thesis is on CU Boulder's Honors Program page.
Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in astrophysical and planetary sciences is appropriate for students aiming for a career in K–12 education, science journalism, science policy, information technology, science management or technical work who do not expect to pursue a graduate degree.
Students must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours in astrophysical and planetary sciences (this must include at least 18 upper-division credit hours) and a minimum of 9 credit hours in physics.
All required major courses and all required ancillary courses must be passed with a C- or better and cannot be taken pass/fail. No more than 45 credits in ASTR may be applied to overall graduation requirements. Students must have a GPA of at least 2.000 in the major in order to graduate.
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ASTR 1030 & ASTR 1040 | Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 1 and Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 2 1 | 8 |
| PHYS 1115 & PHYS 1125 & PHYS 1140 | General Physics 1 for Majors and General Physics 2 for Majors and Experimental Physics 1 2 | 9 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamental Concepts in Astrophysics | ||
| Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Its Applications | ||
| Foundations of Modern Physics | ||
| Select a minimum of two of the following: | 6 | |
| Ancient Astronomies of the World | ||
| Modern Cosmology-Origin and Structure of the Universe | ||
| Space Astronomy and Exploration | ||
| Black Holes | ||
| The Search for Life in the Universe | ||
| The Sun and Society: Living with an Active Star | ||
| Gateway to Space | ||
| Introduction to Scientific Programming | ||
| Select one of the following upper-division course sequences: | 6 | |
| Planets and Their Atmospheres and Planets, Moons, and Rings | ||
| Astrophysics 1 - Stellar and Interstellar and Astrophysics 2 - Galactic and Extragalactic | ||
| Upper-Division Major Electives | ||
| Select four additional courses from the following or from those sequence courses not used for the upper-division sequence requirement above: | 12-15 | |
| Research Methods in Astronomy | ||
| Observations and Instrumentation 1 | ||
| Observations and Instrumentation 2 | ||
| Astronomical Instrumentation Laboratory | ||
| Formation & Dynamics of Planetary Systems | ||
| Cosmology and Relativity | ||
| Solar and Space Physics | ||
| Introduction to Scientific Data Analysis and Computing | ||
| Cosmochemistry | ||
| Space Science: Practice and Policy | ||
| Astrophysical Instrumentation | ||
| Introduction to Atmospheric Physics | ||
| Atmospheric Dynamics | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 44-47 | |
| 1 | Or ASTR 1010 and ASTR 1020 with permission from Lead APS Faculty Mentor. |
| 2 |
Required Ancillary Coursework
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Ancillary Calculus Coursework | ||
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8-10 | |
| Calculus 1 for Engineers and Calculus 2 for Engineers | ||
| Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 | ||
| Required Ancillary Science Sequence with Lab | ||
| Select one other science sequence with lab, such as: | 7-10 | |
Chemistry Sequence | ||
| General Chemistry 1 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 | ||
| General Chemistry 2 and Laboratory in General Chemistry 2 | ||
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Sequence | ||
| General Biology 1 and General Biology Laboratory 1 | ||
| General Biology 2 and General Biology Laboratory 2 | ||
Earth Science Sequence | ||
| Exploring Earth and Introduction to Earth Science Laboratory 1 | ||
| Dodos, Dinos, and Deinococcus: The History of a Habitable Planet | ||
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Sequence | ||
| Weather and the Atmosphere and Weather and the Atmosphere Laboratory | ||
| Our Changing Environment: El Nino, Ozone, and Climate | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 15-20 | |
Four-Year Plan of Study
Through the required coursework for the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Natural Sciences area of the Gen. Ed. Distribution Requirement, including the lab component, and the QRMS component of the Gen. Ed. Skills Requirement. If ASTR 2000 is selected, a student could also complete the Global Perspective component of the Gen. Ed. Diversity Requirement.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ASTR 1030 | Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 1 | 4 |
| APPM 1350 or MATH 1300 | Calculus 1 for Engineers or Calculus 1 | 4-5 |
| PHYS 1115 or PHYS 1110 | General Physics 1 for Majors or General Physics 1 | 4 |
| Gen Ed Skills course/Elective/FYSM | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ASTR 1040 | Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 2 | 4 |
| APPM 1360 or MATH 2300 | Calculus 2 for Engineers or Calculus 2 | 4-5 |
| PHYS 1125 or PHYS 1120 | General Physics 2 for Majors or General Physics 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 1140 | Experimental Physics 1 | 1 |
| Gen Ed Distribution course /Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ASTR 2600 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | 3 |
| PHYS 2170 | Foundations of Modern Physics (or an Elective) | 3 |
| PHYS 2150 | Experimental Physics 2 | 1 |
| APPM 2350 | Calculus 3 for Engineers (or an Elective) | 4 |
| Ancillary Science Sequence + LAB (CHEM 1113 & CHEM 1114 or EBIO 1210 & EBIO 1230 or ERTH 1010 & ERTH 1030, or ATOC 1050 & ATOC 1070) | 4-5 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ASTR 2100 or ASTR 3400 | Fundamental Concepts in Astrophysics (If Phys 2170 or 2130 not taken) or Research Methods in Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR 3800 | Introduction to Scientific Data Analysis and Computing (Or Upper Division ASTR-Elective) | 3 |
| ASTR 2000-level course | 3 | |
| Ancillary Science Sequence Continued (CHEM 1133,, EBIO 1220, ERTH 1020, or ATOC 1060) | 3-4 | |
| Gen Ed Distribution/Diversity course/Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ASTR 3720 or ASTR 3730 | Planets and Their Atmospheres (part one of required sequence) or Astrophysics 1 - Stellar and Interstellar | 3 |
| ASTR Upper division or Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Skills course/Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Distribution Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ASTR 3750 or ASTR 3830 | Planets, Moons, and Rings (part two of required sequence) or Astrophysics 2 - Galactic and Extragalactic | 3 |
| ASTR Upper-Division Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective/Minor | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Distribution course | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Distribution course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ASTR Upper-division Elective | 3 | |
| ASTR Upper-Division Elective | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Distribution course - Upper Division | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Elective / Minor/ Research/ Independent Study (Independent Study does not count for Upper Division ASTR credit | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Elective / Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ASTR Upper-Division Elective | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Distribution course- Upper-division | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Elective / Minor/ Research/ Independent Study (Independent Study does not count for Upper Division ASTR credit | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Elective / Minor | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Elective / Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121-125 | |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Solve quantitative or conceptual problems across the core areas of astrophysics planetary sciences by applying relevant models, theories and technical approaches.
- Analyze and evaluate scientific information in order to describe a question at the frontier of an astronomical discipline to a variety of audiences including experts and/or the general public.
- Follow scientific practices to conduct experiments, collect and analyze data and report findings in a scientific manner.
- Use computational programming to perform quantitative analysis and/or produce data visualizations.
- Participate in at least one semester-long (or more) professional development experience.