UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN ASTRONOMY
Department of Physics and Astronomy
State University of New York at Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY 11794-3800


Note: Undergraduate program is being revised as of the Fall 2002 semester. Current majors should experience minimal disruption; any questions or concerns should be directed to the Astronomy Undergraduate Coordinator.

As of the Fall 2002 semester, an Astronomy Minor is available.

Contacts
Prof. J.M. Lattimer, Astronomy Undergraduate Coordinator
lattimer@astro.sunysb.edu
(631) 632-8227

Elaine Larsen, Assistant to the Undergraduate Program Director
Elaine.Larsen@sunysb.edu
(631) 632-8100, FAX (631) 632-8176


The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers undergraduate courses in astronomy leading to both a major and, starting in Fall 2002, a minor as well as a variety of courses for the non-scientist. The major in astronomy leading to a Bachelor of Science degree aims at giving the student maximum preparation to pursue graduate and professional work. The minor in astronomy provides a rigorous introduction to the discipline without requiring the breadth, and the corresponding investment of course work, as the major. A major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth & Space Sciences, offered through the Geosciences Department is designed to meet the needs of students who desire a more diverse liberal arts and sciences background. It prepares the student to pursue careers in teaching, law, environmental science, or research.


Requirements for the astronomy major and the minor follow. Upon declaring a major, the student will be assigned a faculty advisor, who will assist in the selection of a course sequence leading to the desired degree. Advanced students have the opportunity to take courses with relatively small enrollments and to participate in research programs during the academic year and summer.

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR AN ASTRONOMY MAJOR
STARTING IN THE FALL OF AN EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR1
STARTING WITH PHYSICS 131 OR 141

Fall Semester Spring Semester
Freshman Year 
PHY131 or 1412PHY132 or 142
MAT131 or 1412MAT132 or 142
WRT101WRT102
DEC electiveDEC elective
AST100AST287-163
USB101
Sophomore Year 
PHY251/2PHY306
MAT205 or 203 or AMS261MAT305 or 303 or AMS361
AST205AST203
PHY 300AST 200
DEC electiveDEC elective
Junior Year 
AST341AST346
MAT electiveDEC elective
PHY301PHY 302
PHY303PHY 308
DEC electiveDEC elective
Senior Year 
AST443AST347
AST487AST4874
DEC electiveMAT elective
DEC electiveDEC elective
Upper Division electiveUpper Division elective
1 AST 205 and all upper division AST courses are offered alternate years.  
2 Alternatively, the 125, 126, 127 sequences may be used.  
3 Intro to Unix Computing for Physics and Astronomy Students  
4 Required for Astronomy Honors  

Requirements for the Major

All courses taken to meet requirements for the astronomy major must be taken for a letter grade. No more than three courses with a grade of C- may be presented for the major. Otherwise grades of at least C must be achieved. A minimum of 60 credits in Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics are required.

A. Required Astronomy Courses:
AST203, AST341, AST346, AST347, and at least six credits from additional AST courses numbered 200 or higher (except AST248, 301, and 304).

B. Required Physics Courses:
PHY131, 1321, PHY251/252, PHY 300, PHY306. At least 8 credits from other approved physics-related courses. A list of acceptable courses is maintained by the Physics Undergraduate Coordinator, and is posted in the Physics and Astronomy Undergraduate Office. At least one course must be in the area of applied numerical analysis.

C. Mathematics Requirements:
MAT131, 1322, MAT203 or 205 or AMS261, MAT303 or 305 or AMS361.

D. Upper-Division Writing Requirement:
All students majoring in astronomy must submit two papers (term papers, Laboratory reports, or independent research papers) to the Astronomy Undergraduate Coordinator for department evaluation. If this evaluation is satisfactory, the student will have fulfilled the upper-division writing requirement. If it is not, the student must fulfill the requirement before graduation.


Notes:
1 PHY125, 126, 127 or PHY141, 142 are alternative sequences.
2 MAT125, 126, 127 or MAT141, 142 are alternative sequences,




Honors Program in Astronomy


Students in the astronomy major who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 through the junior year in courses required for the major may become candidates for departmental honors in astronomy by applying to the department. Candidates for honors must include a sequence of mathematics, natural science or engineering courses approved by the student's advisor following petition by the student.


In addition to the academic program, the student must complete an honors thesis while enrolled in AST447 or 487. The thesis is evaluated by a committee composed of the student's advisor and two other science faculty members including one from outside of the department. If the honors program is completed with distinction and the student has maintained a minimum 3.3 grade point average in all course work in natural science, mathematics and engineering, honors are conferred.



Requirements for the Minor

All courses taken to meet requirements for the astronomy minor must be taken for a letter grade. No more than 3 courses with a grade of C- may be presented for the minor. Otherwise grades of at least C must be achieved. This program requires 17 credits in 200+ level Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics courses, and a minimum of 25 credits total. AST 248 does not count towards the minor.

A. Required Astronomy Courses:
AST 203 and AST 205, and any three upper division AST courses, selected from AST 301, AST 304, AST 341, AST 346, AST 347 , and AST 443. Note that AST 341, AST 346, AST 347 have significant PHY prerequisites, and may be inappropriate for many minors.

B. Required Physics Courses:
PHY 125, 131, or 141

C. Mathematics Requirements:
MAT 125, 131, or 141