Program Overview

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Astronomy and Astrophysics (STEM)

Overview

In the bachelor of science in astronomy and astrophysics program, students become well versed in different aspects of modern astronomy and astrophysics. Coursework includes quantum physics, mechanics, and astrophysics, as well as a range of electives in computer science and physics topics. Classes incorporate hands-on experience with state-of-the-art telescopes, satellites, and data analysis.

All students in the astronomy and astrophysics major complete a capstone project as well as a symposium course in which they learn to present their research findings and review their peers’ projects. Students leave the program ready to begin graduate-level education in astronomy, astrophysics, physics or a related field, and they are able to apply their scientific and problem-solving skills in a variety of workplaces.

This is a STEM designated program.

Admissions

For information about the admission process, including deadlines, the following requirements must be fulfilled:

• The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.

Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

• The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
• Program-specific curriculum:
  • Required:
    • Introductory courses (26 credits):
      • PHYS 1021: University Physics I
      • PHYS 1022: University Physics II
      • PHYS 2023: Modern Physics
      • MATH 1231: Single-Variable Calculus I
      • MATH 1232: Single-Variable Calculus II
      • MATH 2233: Multivariable Calculus
      • MATH 2184: Linear Algebra I
      • MAE 1117: Introduction to Engineering Computations
      • or CSCI 1012: Introduction to Programming with Python
    • Advanced courses (49 credits):
      • MATH 3342: Ordinary Differential Equations
      • PHYS 3100: Math Methods for Physics
      • PHYS 2151W: Intermediate Laboratory I: Techniques and Methods
      • PHYS 2152: Intermediate Laboratory II: Instrumentation
      • ASTR 2121: Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
      • PHYS 3161: Mechanics
      • PHYS 3164: Thermal and Statistical Physics
      • PHYS 3165: Electromagnetic Theory I
      • PHYS 3166: Electromagnetic Theory II
      • PHYS 3167: Principles of Quantum Physics
      • PHYS 3181: Computational Physics
      • PHYS 4195W: Physics Capstone
      • ASTR 4195: Undergraduate Research in Astrophysics
      • PHYS 4200: Physics Symposium
  • Electives:
    • Two elective courses (6 credits) selected from the following:
      • ASTR 2131: Astrophysics Seminar
      • ASTR 3141: Data Analysis in Astrophysics
      • ASTR 3161: Space Astrophysics
    • One elective course (3 credits) selected from the following:
      • PHYS 3127: Biophysics: Macroscopic Physics in the Life Sciences
      • PHYS 3128: Biophysics: Microscopic Physics in the Life Sciences
      • PHYS 3163: Physical and Quantum Optics
      • PHYS 4170: Solid-State Physics
      • PHYS 4175: Nuclear Physics

General Education

In addition to the University General Education Requirement, undergraduate students in Columbian College must complete a further, College-specific general education curriculum—Perspective, Analysis, Communication (G-PAC) as well as the course CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience. Together with the University General Education Requirement, G-PAC engages students in active intellectual inquiry across the liberal arts. Students achieve a set of learning outcomes that enhance their analytical skills, develop their communication competencies, and invite them to participate as responsible citizens who are attentive to issues of culture, diversity, and privilege.

Coursework for the University General Education Requirement

• One course in critical thinking in the humanities.
• Two courses in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, or scientific reasoning in the social sciences.
• One course that has an approved oral communication component.
• One course in quantitative reasoning (must be in mathematics or statistics).
• One course in scientific reasoning (must be in natural and/or physical laboratory sciences).
• UW 1020 University Writing
• After successful completion of UW 1020, 6 credits distributed over at least two writing in the discipline (WID) courses taken in separate semesters. WID courses are designated by a "W" appended to the course number.

Coursework for the CCAS G-PAC requirement

• Arts—one approved arts course that involves the study or creation of artwork based on an understanding or interpretation of artistic traditions or knowledge of art in a contemporary context.
• Global or cross-cultural perspective—one approved course that analyzes the ways in which institutions, practices, and problems transcend national and regional boundaries.
• Local or civic engagement—one approved course that develops the values, ethics, disciplines, and commitment to pursue responsible public action.
• Natural or physical science—one additional approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• Humanities—one additional approved humanities course that involves critical thinking skills (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience

Certain courses are approved to fulfill GPAC requirements in more than one category. Courses taken in fulfillment of G-PAC requirements can also be counted toward majors or minors. Transfer courses taken prior to, but not after, admission to George Washington University can count toward the University General Education Requirement and G-PAC, if those transfer courses are equivalent to GW courses that have been approved by the University and the College.