Astrophysics

Description
The astrophysics concentration is designed for students interested in developing a background in the theoretical modeling and observational techniques of galactic and stellar astronomy, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. Students will acquire the following abilities: to think critically about scientific problems, to reduce complex problems to their most important attributes, and to design experiments, observations and theoretical models to address those attributes. Students pursuing an astrophysics concentration are expected to have a strong background in physics and mathematics.

Requirements

• Students must complete a minimum of 20 credit hours including 12 of upper division hours for this concentration.
• Students must take at least 12 of the 20 units at ASU.
• All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.00) or higher.
• A minimum 6 upper division hours must be taken in courses offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
• All students will be required to meet with an academic advisor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration to declare the concentration and confirm that the requirements are being met.
• Transfer course work must be evaluated by an advisor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration before it can be applied toward the concentration requirements.

Core 12 Hours Required

AST 321 Introduction to Planetary and Stellar Astrophysics, SQ  (3) (Prerequisite(s): MAT 266 or 271 with C or better; PHY 121 and 122 (or PHY 150) with C or better)

AST 322 Introduction to Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics, SQ (3) (Both AST 114 and 322 must be taken to secure SQ General Studies credit. Prerequisite(s): MAT 266 or 271 with C or better; PHY 121/122 with C or better or PHY 150 with C or better)

AST 421 Astrophysics I (3) (Prerequisite(s): AST 321 or 322 with C or better; PHY 252 with C or better)

AST 422 Astrophysics II (3) (Prerequisite(s): AST 321 or 322 with C or better; PHY 252 with C or better)

Students must also choose one of the following options for the additional eight credit hours:
Option 1

SES 121 Earth, Solar System and Universe I, SQ (3) (Both SES 121 and SES 123 must be taken together to secure SQ General Studies credit.)

SES 123 Earth, Solar System and Universe Laboratory I, SQ (1) (Pre- or corequisite(s): SES 121 with C or better if completed) 

SES 126 Exploration of the Universe (3) (Prerequisite(s): Mathematics Placement Test with a score of 50% or higher, or ALEKS score of 61 or higher; SES 121 with C or better; Pre- or corequisite(s): MAT 170, 171, 210, 251, 265, or 270 with C or better if completed)

SES 128 Exploration of the Universe Lab (1) (Prerequisite(s): SES 123 with C or better; Pre- or corequisite(s): SES 126 with C or better if completed) 

Option 2

AST 111 Introduction to Solar Systems Astronomy, SQ (3) (Both AST 111 and AST 113 or AST 114 must be taken to secure SQ general studies credit.)

AST 112 Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology, SQ (3) (Both AST 112 and AST 113 or AST 114 must be taken to secure SQ General Studies credit.)

AST 113 Astronomy Laboratory I, SQ (1) (Both AST 111 and 113 or AST 113 and 321 must be taken to secure SQ General Studies credit.)

AST 114 Astronomy Laboratory II, SQ (1) (Both AST 112 and 114 or AST 114 and 322 must be taken to secure SQ General Studies credit) (Pre/Co-requisite: AST 111, 112, 321 or 322)

Option 3
In order to satisfy SQ natural science requirements, both a lecture and its corresponding laboratory section must be completed.
At least eight credit hours of AST, SES, PHY or MAT upper-division electives; these may include (but are not limited to):

AST 494 Observing Instrumentation and Data Analysis (3)

SES 311 Essentials of Astrobiology: Exploration for Life in the Universe (3) (Prerequisite(s): BIO 181 (188), CHM 113 or PHY 121; MAT 265 or 270)

Courses required for the astrophysics concentration may have additional prerequisites.