Astrophysics Degree

Program Overview

---

Astrophysics Degree

Program Type

• Major

Format

• On Campus

Estimated Time to Complete

• 4 years

Credit Hours

• 120

The University of North Texas' undergraduate program in physics gives you the strong math, problem solving and analytical skills needed to study the structure and interaction of matter and energy and the way things work. From advancing state-of-the-art processes in the semiconductor industry to developing computer software for simulating exotic phenomena, physicists are helping to expand the frontiers of both basic science and advanced technology. The diversity of work conducted by physicists occurs because physical science and engineering disciplines are based, to a large extent, on physics principles. A bachelor's degree in physics also prepares students for graduate work in acoustics, astrophysics, biophysics, computational physics, medical physics and other subfields and interdisciplinary fields in physics.

Why Earn an Astrophysics Degree?

UNT's Bachelor of Science in Physics with a concentration in astrophysics provides you the flexibility to pursue a physics degree with an emphasis in astronomy study.

This concentration emphasizes the understanding of universe and space through related coursework and research in astrophysics. While you explore your interest in astronomy, the courses help hone your analytical, math and communication skills for careers working with students, clients and co-workers with backgrounds in other fields.

Marketable Skills

• Solve open-ended problems
• Apply structured scientific methods
• Analyze data for complex problems
• Communicate complex information effectively
• Work independently to meet deadlines

Astrophysics Degree Highlights

UNT's experienced Physics faculty are actively involved in path-finding research. Our undergraduate physics students often participate in pathfinding research projects.

Because of this research activity, undergraduates are often involved in groundbreaking projects conducted in our state-of-the-art facilities.

The low student-to-faculty ratio in upper-level courses allows you to receive personal attention from faculty members and to interact closely with your peers.

You can meet others who share your interest in physics through the Society of Physics Students. The organization conducts field trips and invites guest speakers to meetings.

The department’s weekly Physics Colloquium presents research overviews and descriptions of work by leading professionals in the field.

UNT Physics students have a wide range of available physics jobs while studying for their undergraduate degree.

Career Outlook

Physicists use math, problem solving experience, analytical skills and their imaginations to study the structure and interaction of matter and energy — the way things work. This information is important in:

• Energy research such as the development of superbatteries and solar cells
• Medical diagnostics and therapy
• Science-enabled education, law practice, technology business and journalism
• Semiconductor and photonics technology
• Space and atmospheric sciences

Graduates are employed in various research and management careers in business, education, the armed forces, the government, national laboratories and NASA. For example, you may work for a company that develops new electronic devices, teach high school physics or work for a research laboratory furthering the exploration and use of space.

Astrophysics Degree Courses You Could Take

• Stars and the Universe (3 hrs) Properties of stars and stellar systems and a study of the origin, evolution and future of the universe. Includes weekly outdoor and indoor laboratory exercises.
• Observational Astronomy (3 hrs) Optical astronomy; telescopes; modern detectors; photometry; spectroscopy; interferometry; data analysis; time-series analysis; multi-wavelength astronomy; multi-messenger astrophysics.
• Introduction to Modern Astrophysics (3 hrs) Celestial mechanics; interaction between light and matter; the energy source of the sun; stellar evolution and black holes; galaxies and cosmology.
• Galaxies and Cosmology (3 hrs) Current standard model of the universe; basics of general relativity; formation, evolution and properties of galaxies; supermassive black holes and their roles in galaxy evolution.
• Physical Optics (3 hrs) Huygens’ principle and application to geometrical optics; interference phenomena; Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction; polarization; electromagnetic theory of light and interaction with matter. Part of the instruction will be in a laboratory setting.
• Modern Classical Dynamics (3 hrs) Introduction to nonlinear dynamical systems; onset of chaos, phase space portraits, universality of chaos, strange attractors, experimental verification, fluid dynamics and the KAM theorem.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

The University of North Texas' undergraduate program in physics provides students with a strong foundation in math, problem-solving, and analytical skills. The program emphasizes the study of the structure and interaction of matter and energy, and the way things work. The program prepares students for graduate work in various subfields and interdisciplinary fields in physics, including acoustics, astrophysics, biophysics, computational physics, and medical physics.

---

Teaching:

• The program features a low student-to-faculty ratio in upper-level courses, allowing for personalized attention from faculty members and close interaction with peers.
• The department hosts a weekly Physics Colloquium, presenting research overviews and descriptions of work by leading professionals in the field.
Potential career paths include:
• Developing new electronic devices
• Teaching high school physics
• Working for a research laboratory furthering the exploration and use of space
• Energy research, such as the development of superbatteries and solar cells
• Medical diagnostics and therapy
• Science-enabled education, law practice, technology business, and journalism
• Semiconductor and photonics technology
• Space and atmospheric sciences

---

Other:

• The program offers a concentration in astrophysics, emphasizing the understanding of the universe and space through related coursework and research.
• The program helps students hone their analytical, math, and communication skills for careers working with students, clients, and co-workers with backgrounds in other fields.
• Students can join the Society of Physics Students, which conducts field trips and invites guest speakers to meetings.
• The program provides students with a wide range of available physics jobs while studying for their undergraduate degree.