Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics
The astrophysics program emphasizes the physics celestial bodies including stars, galaxies, planetary systems, and cosmology as well as introducing students to best observational practices and the instrumentation used in modern astrophysics. Graduates continue on to obtain a Ph.D. or move on to jobs in government, military, universities, the private sector, or teaching positions in middle school and high school. The program is designed so that obtaining dual degrees in astrophysics and physics can be accomplished by most students in four years of study.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Physics Requirements | (37) | |
| PHYS 100 | Intro to the Profession | 2 |
| PHYS 123 | General Physics I: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 221 | General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 223 | General Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 240 | Computational Science | 3 |
| PHYS 301 | Mathematical Methods of Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 304 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 308 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 405 | Fundamentals of Quantum Theory I | 3 |
| PHYS 413 | Electromagnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 427 | Advanced Physics Laboratory I | 3 |
| PHYS 485 | Physics Colloquium | 1 |
| PHYS 485 | Physics Colloquium | 1 |
| Astronomy Requirements | (16) | |
| PHYS 360 | Introduction to Astrophysics | 3 |
| PHYS 361 | Observational Astrophysics | 4 |
| PHYS 403 | Relativity | 3 |
| PHYS 460 | Stellar Astrophysics | 3 |
| PHYS 461 | Extragalactic Astrophysics | 3 |
| Mathematics Requirements | (18) | |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 152 | Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 251 | Multivariate and Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 4 |
| Chemistry Requirements | (8) | |
| CHEM 124 | Principles of Chemistry I with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 125 | Principles of Chemistry II with Laboratory | 4 |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| CS 105 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 2 |
| Humanities and Social Science Requirements | (21) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) | (6) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E | 6 | |
| Free Electives | (12) | |
| Select 12 credit hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 100 | 2 | PHYS 221 | 4 |
| PHYS 123 | 4 | MATH 152 | 5 |
| MATH 151 | 5 | CHEM 125 | 4 |
| CHEM 124 | 4 | Humanities or Social Sciences Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 223 | 4 | PHYS 240 | 3 |
| MATH 251 | 4 | PHYS 360 | 3 |
| CS 105 | 2 | MATH 252 | 4 |
| Humanities 200-level Course | 3 | Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 13 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 301 | 3 | PHYS 304 | 3 |
| PHYS 308 | 3 | PHYS 4603 | 3 |
| PHYS 3611 | 4 | Free Elective | 3 |
| PHYS 4052 | 3 | IPRO Elective I | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 413 | 3 | PHYS 4033 | 3 |
| PHYS 427 | 3 | PHYS 485 | 1 |
| PHYS 4613 | 3 | IPRO Elective II | 3 |
| PHYS 485 | 1 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 | ||
| 16 | 13 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: 120 | |||
