Astronomy (BS)
Astronomers seek to understand the structure and evolution of planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe. Immediate employment opportunities for astronomy majors include public education related positions at planetariums and museums, data analyst positions in science and industry, and laboratory work.
Students also learn the fundamentals of astronomical observing, data collection, and analysis, including hands-on experience at Benedictine’s Daglen Observatory.
Transfer students pursuing a major in Astronomy must take a minimum of 40% of the coursework required for the major at Benedictine College.
Program Mission
The mission of the Astronomy Program is to advance understanding of and foster curiosity about the physical universe, to enlighten students in critical thinking, to instruct students in applying the scientific method, and to enrich the College’s liberal arts curriculum. Graduates will have a strong foundation in observational and theoretical astronomy and astrophysics, which prepares them for graduate study and careers in astronomy and related fields; they also gain a strong set of analytical and technical skills that prepare them to pursue careers in a wide range of other fields.
Program Outcomes
- Graduates will have factual knowledge and conceptual understanding of advanced topics in astronomy, within the framework of a liberal arts education.
- Graduates will be able to use physical data to solve quantitative problems in astronomy.
- Graduates will be proficient in fundamental laboratory skills, including data analysis, and the use of instrumentation.
- Graduates will be able to interpret and utilize the scientific literature and will be able to communicate scientific results clearly and concisely via oral and written reports.
- Graduates will have the tools to succeed in graduate study or careers in astronomy and related fields, as well as the analytical and technical skills to succeed in a variety of other fields.
- Graduates will have the interpersonal and professional skills to effectively work within teams and be project leader of teams of varied cultural and experiential backgrounds regardless of cultural differences.
Guidelines for Acceptance to a Physics & Astronomy Department Major
In order to ensure that students are on a successful academic trajectory, it is recommended that students who have not earned at least a C average in both Classical Physics I and II should not declare a major in the Physics & Astronomy Department. Students who have not achieved this minimum grade guideline but who still seek acceptance to a major in one of the programs in the Physics & Astronomy Department must meet with and receive approval from the Department Chair.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| ASTR-1300 | Sun & Solar System | 4 |
| ASTR-1400 | Stars & Stellar Systems | 4 |
| ASTR-3000 | Observational Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR-4100 | Introduction to Astrophysics | 3 |
| ASTR-4200 | Solar System Astrophysics | 3 |
| ASTR-4300 | Galaxies & Cosmology | 3 |
| PHYS-2100 & PHYS-2101 | Classical Physics I and Classical Physics I Lab | 4 |
| PHYS-2110 & PHYS-2111 | Classical Physics II and Classical Physics II Lab | 4 |
| PHYS-3200 | Relativity & Atomic Physics | 3 |
| PHYS-3201 | Modern Physics Lab | 1 |
| PHYS-3210 | Nuclear & Elementary Particle Physics | 2 |
| PHYS-3211 | Modern Physics Lab II | 1 |
| PHYS-4100 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS-4110 | Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS-4600 | Electricity & Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS-4610 | Electricity & Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS-4800 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS-4400 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHYS-4300 | Optics | 3 |
| PHYS-4301 | Optics Laboratory | 1 |
| ASTR-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| PHYS-4910 | Physics & Astronomy Research | 1 |
| Four semesters of PHYS-4900–PHYS-4903, Physics Colloquium | 0 | |
| Required Supporting Courses | ||
| CHEM-1200 | General Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1210 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1201 | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM-1211 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 2-4 | |
| Programming for Scientists & Engineers | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science I | ||
| Computer Applications in Engineering | ||
| MATH-1300 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH-1350 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH-2300 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH-3100 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| Recommended Supporting Courses | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Discrete Mathematical Structures I | ||
| Probability & Statistics | ||
| Numerical Computation | ||
| Total Hours | 83-85 | |
Suggested Sequence of Courses for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Astronomy
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| PHYS-2100 & PHYS-2101 |
Classical Physics I and Classical Physics I Lab |
4 |
| ASTR-1300 | Sun & Solar System | 4 |
| MATH-1300 | Calculus I | 4 |
| CHEM-1200 | General Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1201 | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| GNST-1000 | BC Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS-2110 & PHYS-2111 |
Classical Physics II and Classical Physics II Lab |
4 |
| ASTR-1400 | Stars & Stellar Systems | 4 |
| MATH-1350 | Calculus II | 4 |
| CHEM-1210 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM-1211 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ASTR-3000 | Observational Astronomy | 3 |
| EXSC-1115 | Wellness for Life | 1 |
| MATH-2300 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| PHYS-3200 | Relativity & Atomic Physics | 3 |
| PHYS-3201 | Modern Physics Lab | 1 |
| EXSC Fitness Course | 1 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHIL-1750 | Principles of Nature | 3 |
| THEO-1100 | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| MATH-3100 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| PHYS-3210 | Nuclear & Elementary Particle Physics | 2 |
| PHYS-3211 | Modern Physics Lab II | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ASTR-4100 | Introduction to Astrophysics | 3 |
| PHYS-4100 | Mechanics I | 3 |
| Person and Community Foundation | 3 | |
| PHYS-4900 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| Faith Foundation | 3 | |
| ENGL-1010 | English Composition | 3 |
| Philosophical Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ASTR-4300 | Galaxies & Cosmology | 3 |
| CSCI-2300 | Programming for Scientists & Engineers | 3 |
| Aesthetic Experience | 3 | |
| PHYS-4110 | Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS-4300 | Optics | 3 |
| PHYS-4301 | Optics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS-4901 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ASTR-4200 | Solar System Astrophysics | 3 |
| Historical Inquiry | 3 | |
| PHYS-4400 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHYS-4600 | Electricity & Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS-4800 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS-4902 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| PHYS-4910 | Physics & Astronomy Research | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PHYS-4610 | Electricity & Magnetism II | 3 |
| Philosophical Inquiry | 3 | |
| PHYS-4903 | Physics Colloquium | 0 |
| Faith Foundation | 3 | |
| Aesthetic Experience | 3 | |
| Historical Inquiry Foundation | 3 | |
| ASTR-COMP | Senior Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 131 | |