Faculty
Aaron Evans, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Hawaii: Observational extragalactic astronomy.
Miriam Forman, Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., University at Stony Brook: Cosmic rays.
Kenneth M. Lanzetta, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh: Observational Cosmology.
James M. Lattimer, Professor, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin: Nuclear Astrophysics.
Jack J. Lissauer, Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley: Planetary science.
Deane M. Peterson, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Harvard University: Observational stellar astronomy.
Michal Simon, Professor, Ph.D., Cornell University: Observational astronomy.
Philip M. Solomon, Professor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin: Galactic and extragalactic astronomy.
F. Douglas Swesty, Research Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University at Stony Brook: Computational nuclear astrophysics.
Frederick M. Walter, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley: Observational stellar astronomy.
Ralph A.M.J. Wijers, Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., University of Amsterdam: High
energy astrophysics.
Amos Yahil, Professor, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology: Astronomy.
Teaching Assistants
Estimated number: 5
Major in
Astronomy/Planetary Sciences
Department of Physics and Astronomy
College of Arts and Sciences
Acting Chairperson: Paul Grannis
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Chris Jacobsen
Astronomy Coordinator: James Lattimer
Undergraduate Secretary: Elaine Larsen
Office: P-110 Graduate Physics
Phone: (631) 632-8100
E-mail: James.Lattimer@stonybrook.edu
Web address: http://www.astro.sunysb.edu/astro/
Minors of particular interest to students majoring in astonomy: electrical engineering (ESE), electronic, optical, and magnetic materials (EOM), mathematics (MAT), optics (OPT), science and engineering (LSE)
Astronomy is the scientific discipline dedicated to the study of everything in the universe outside the Earth’s atmosphere. The undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy/planetary sciences prepares a student for graduate and professional work. Graduates with a degree in astronomy teach in secondary schools, work in academic, government, and industrial laboratories, and teach and conduct research at colleges and universities.
Course requirements for the B.S. program are listed below and are summarized in the accompanying chart. When the student declares the astronomy major, the Director of Undergraduate Studies assigns a faculty advisor to the student. This advisor assists the student in the selection of courses. Students should consult frequently with their faculty advisors regarding their progress and regarding appropriate science courses. Because the position of the scientist in society is responsible and complex, the student is cautioned to pay careful attention to general education in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Requirements for the Major in Astronomy/Planetary Sciences (AST)
The major in astronomy leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. Up to three astronomy or physics courses passed with a C- may be applied to the major; all other courses offered for the major must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher.
Completion of the major requires 60-63 credits.
- Required Departmental Courses:
- AST 203 Astronomy
- AST 341 Stars and Radiation
- AST 346 Galaxies
- AST 347 Cosmology
- At least six credits from additional AST courses numbered 200 or higher (except AST 248, 301 and 304). Up to three credits of AST 287, 447, and 487 may be used toward this requirement.
- Required Physics Courses:
- PHY 131/133, 132/134 Classical Physics I, II and labs (See note 1 below)
- PHY 251/252 Modern Physics with Laboratory
- PHY 300 Waves and Optics
- PHY 306 Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Mechanics
- At least 8 credits from a list of advanced physics-related courses (the current list can be found in the Physics & Astronomy Office). At least 1 credit must be from AST 277 or a course in the area of applied numerical analysis.
- Mathematics Requirements:
- MAT 131, 132 Calculus I, II (See note 2 below)
- One of the following:
- MAT 203 Calculus III with Applications
- MAT 205 Calculus III
- AMS 261 Applied Calculus III
- One of the following:
- MAT 303 Calculus IV with Applications
- MAT 305 Calculus IV
- AMS 361 Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations
- Upper-Division Writing Requirement:
All students majoring in astronomy/ planetary sciences must submit two papers (term papers, laboratory reports, or independent research papers) to the astronomy coordinator for department evaluation by the end of the junior year. If this evaluation is satisfactory, the student will have fulfilled the upper-division writing requirement.
Notes:- The following physics courses are alternatives to PHY 131/133, 132/134: PHY 125, 126, 127 or 141, 142.
- The following alternate beginning calculus sequences may be substituted for MAT 131, 132 in major requirements or prerequisites: 125, 126, 127 or 141, 142. Equivalency for MAT courses achieved by earning the appropriate score on the Mathematics Placement Exam-ination will be accepted as fulfillment of the requirement without the necessity of substituting other credits. For detailed information about the various calculus sequences, see the alphabetical listing for Mathematics, especially "Beginning Mathematics Courses," and the course descriptions.
Honors Program in Astronomy/ Planetary Sciences
Students in the astronomy/planetary sciences major who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 through the junior year in courses required for the major may apply to the department to become candidates for departmental honors in astronomy/planetary sciences. Candidates for honors in astronomy/planetary sciences must include a sequence of mathematics, physics, 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 AST 447 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 3.30 grade point average in all coursework in natural sciences and mathematics, honors are conferred.
Requirements for the Minor in Astronomy (AST)
All courses offered for the minor must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. Completion of the minor requires 23-24 credits.
- AST 203 Astronomy
- AST 205 Introduction to Planetary Sciences
- Three additional AST courses at the 300 level or higher
- PHY 125 Classical Physics A
or PHY 131/133 Classical Physics I and lab
or PHY 141 Classical Physics I: Honors - MAT 125 Calculus A
or MAT 131 Calculus I
or MAT 141 Honors Calculus I
or AMS 151 Applied Calculus I
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