Physics: Astronomy Option (B.S.)

Total Semester Hours required for the Degree: 120 semester hours

Minimum Semester Hours required for the Physics: Astronomy Option: 67 semester hours

The Astronomy option is a 4-year degree program for students interested in obtaining a B.S. degree in Physics with a concentration in astronomy. This option is for students desiring a liberal arts background in theoretical and experimental physics, as well as a background in astronomy.

Core Requirements

Requirements include:

MAT 1441

Calculus and Analytic Geometry I. (5 credits)

MAT 2442

Calculus and Analytic Geometry II. (5 credits)

MAT 2443

Calculus and Analytic Geometry III. (4 credits)

MAT 3501

Differential Equations I. (3 credits)

PHY 1055

Principles of Astronomy. (3 credits)

or PHY 1095G

PHY 1056

Principles of Astronomy Laboratory. (1 credits)

or PHY 1096G

PHY 1351

General Physics I. (3 credits)

or PHY 1391G

PHY 1352

General Physics I Laboratory. (1 credits)

or PHY 1392G

PHY 1361

General Physics II. (3 credits)

PHY 1362

General Physics II Laboratory. (1 credits)

PHY 1371

General Physics III. (3 credits)

PHY 1372

General Physics III Laboratory. (1 credits)

PHY 1001

Introduction to Physics and Engineering. (1 credits)

PHY 2450

Classical Dynamics. (3 credits)

CSM 2170

Computer Science I. (4 credits)

GEO 3275

Planetary Geology. (3 credits)

PHY 3100

Astronomical Techniques. (3 credits)

PHY 4601

Research in Physics 1A.B,D,E,F,H,J,K,L,M (1 credits)

or PHY 4601B or PHY 4601D or PHY 4601E

(See footnote 1)

PHY 4602

Research in Physics 2A.B,D,E,F,H,J,K,L,M (2 credits)

or PHY 4602B or PHY 4602D or PHY 4602E

(See footnote 1)

PHY 4603

Research in Physics 3A.B,D,E,F,H,J,K,L,M (3 credits)

or PHY 4603B or PHY 4603D or PHY 4603E

(See footnote 1)

PHY 3150

Electronics. (4 credits)

PHY 4000

Seminar in Physics. (1 credits)

PHY 4100

Astrophysics. (3 credits)

PHY 4470

Optics. (4 credits)

Electives

9 semester hours chosen from the list below with at least 3 semester hours from part A of the list. The rest can be from either Part A or Part B of the list.

Part A

PHY 3415

Electricity and Magnetism I with Lab. (4 credits)

PHY 4750

Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. (3 credits)

PHY 4780

Introduction to Plasma Physics. (3 credits)

PHY 4855

Quantum Mechanics. (3 credits)

Part B

CSM 2670

Computer Science II. (4 credits)

MAT 2550

Introduction to Linear Algebra. (3 credits)

PHY 3350

Introduction to Solid State Physics. (3 credits)

PHY 3420

Electricity and Magnetism II. (4 credits)

PHY 4320

Computational Physics. (4 credits)

PHY 4444

Honors Independent Study A. (3 credits)

(See footnote 2)

PHY 4444

Honors Independent Study B. (3 credits)

(See footnote 2)

PHY 4444

Honors Independent Study D. (3 credits)

(See footnote 2)

PHY 4555

Honors Research. (3 credits)

(See footnote 2)

PHY 4601

Research in Physics 1A.B,D,E,F,H,J,K,L,M (1 credits)

(See footnote 2)

PHY 4602

Research in Physics 2A.B,D,E,F,H,J,K,L,M (2 credits)

(See footnote 2)

PHY 4603

Research in Physics 3A.B,D,E,F,H,J,K,L,M (3 credits)

(See footnote 2)

PHY 4711

Experimental Physics I. (1 credits)

PHY 4712

Experimental Physics II. (1 credits)

PHY 4713

Experimental Physics III. (1 credits)

PHY 4800

Advanced Independent Study. (1 to 6 credits)

*Course Numbers: PHY 4800A, B, D-F, H-M, O-R, T-Y

(See footnote 2)

PHY 4865

Advanced Quantum Mechanics. (3 credits)

Footnotes:

¹ Minimum of one semester hour from PHY 4601, 4602, or 4603 but more than one semester hour is encouraged.

² No more than 2 semester hours of PHY 4444*, PHY 4555, PHY 4600, 4601*, 4602*, 4603* and PHY 4800* in aggregate will count towards the Astronomy Option electives.

(Major GPA based on all physics courses taken at EIU.)

Information sourced from the 2026-2027 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.

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