a student studies the stars through a telescope

Bachelor of Science in
Astronomy

Classroom courses and hands-on experience provide students in this program the opportunity to explore the universe through leading-edge facilities and research projects.

Astronomy is unlike most sciences. We can’t bring celestial objects such as planets, stars, and galaxies into a laboratory. Instead, we use a clever combination of astronomical observations, physics principles, computer analysis and the human mind to understand how these distant objects work.

At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, students in the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy program use a combination of physics and astronomy classroom courses, along with hands-on laboratory courses, to understand and explore the Universe. Graduates are prepared to enter a variety of industrial and basic science applications, as well as graduate programs in related fields.

As one of only a few small, private institutions with an Astronomy program, Embry-Riddle offers plenty of advantages, including faculty ties to major resources, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, and major research programs sponsored by NASA and the National Science Foundation. Students also frequently work one-on-one with faculty on research projects and activities.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 14% increase in physics and astronomy jobs between 2016 and 2026. The 2021 median annual wage for astronomers and astrophysicists was $147,450, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We are proud to report that 94% of Embry-Riddle graduates are employed in their field or are continuing their education within a year of graduation, according to our most recent Alumni Survey.

DETAILS

About Astronomy at the Prescott, AZ Campus

Through hands-on experiences with instruments that unlock the secrets of the skies, students in the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy program at the Prescott Campus can make precise observations of a variety of celestial objects. The Prescott Campus houses the Prescott Observatory Complex, with facilities including 20-inch and 16-inch optical telescopes. Home to one of only a handful of Astronomy degree programs in the Western United States, its high-altitude location away from large cities allows students to take advantage of equipment access on campus to peer into the skies.

At the Prescott Campus, students are immersed in hands-on undergraduate research working directly with faculty. Faculty have grants through NASA, SAO, National Science Foundation, Space Telescope Science Institute and other agencies. Beyond on-campus observing, faculty often collaborate internationally, studying data from state-of-the-art ground and space-based facilities like the James Webb Space Telescope and various X-Ray satellites, including those used in the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM).

Learn more about the Prescott, AZ Campus

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Develop an informed, professional understanding of the current state of knowledge of the astronomical and physical Universe.
Properly operate astronomical telescopes and detectors to obtain scientific data on astronomical objects.
Apply prevailing models in astronomy to real systems using current techniques.
Communicate astronomical results to astronomers and non-astronomers, including giving talks, writing technical reports, and writing papers for publication.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Astronomy is a 120 credit hour program that can be completed in eight semesters. The list of courses below comprises the complete requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Astronomy. Before registering for a course, check the course descriptions to ensure that all prerequisites and/or corequisites are met. To best ensure success in a course, it is recommended that students earn a C grade or better in all prerequisite courses. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in core PS courses.

Students may not pursue both an Astronomy B.S. degree and a Space Physics B.S. degree. However, also note that the degree requirements for the first three semesters of both degree programs can be satisfied with the same courses. Thus, a student who is making appropriate progress in either the Astronomy or Space Physics degree programs can switch to the other program after the third semester with a complete transfer of credit from one program to the other.

Program Requirements

General Education

Embry-Riddle degree programs require students to complete a minimum of 36 hours of General Education coursework. For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog.

Students may choose other classes outside of their requirements, but doing so can result in the student having to complete more than the degree's 120 credit hours. This will result in additional time and cost to the student.

Communication Theory and Skills		9
Computer Science/Information Technology		3
Mathematics		6
Physical and Life Sciences (Natural Sciences)		6
Humanities and Social Sciences		12
3 hours of Lower-Level Humanities
3 hours of Lower-Level Social Science
3 hours of Lower-Level or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science
3 hours of Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science
Total Credits		36

Astronomy Core (98 Credits)

The following course of study outlines the quickest and most cost-efficient route for students to earn their B.S. in Astronomy. Students are encouraged to follow the course of study to ensure they complete all program required courses and their prerequisites within four years.

Courses in the core with a # will satisfy your general education requirements.

CHM 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory ^#	4
CS 118	Fundamentals of Computer Programming ^#	3
or EGR 115	Introduction to Computing for Engineers
General Education - Communication Electives ^#		9
General Education - Humanities Lower-Level Elective ^#		3
General Education - Humanities Upper-Level Elective ^#		3
General Education - Social Science Lower-Level Elective ^#		3
General Education - Social Sciences Upper-Level Elective ^#		3
MA 241	Calculus and Analytical Geometry I ^#	4
MA 242	Calculus and Analytical Geometry II ^#	4
MA 243	Calculus and Analytical Geometry III	4
MA 335	Introduction to Linear and Abstract Algebra ^**	3
MA 345	Differential Equations and Matrix Methods	4
MA 441	Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I	3
PS 204	General Astronomy ^**	3
PS 215	Physics I ^*#	3
PS 216	Physics I Laboratory ^*	1
PS 208	Physics II	3
PS 219	Physics III ^*	3
PS 221	Intermediate Physics Laboratory ^**	2
PS 222	Intermediate Astronomy ^*	3
PS 232	Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences ^*	3
PS 303	Modern Physics ^**	3
PS 315	Modern Physics Laboratory ^**	2
PS 321	Classical Mechanics I ^*	3
PS 330	Electricity and Magnetism I ^*	3
PS 332	Techniques of Observational Astronomy ^**	3
PS 340	Astrophysics I ^*	3
PS 350	Quantum Mechanics I ^**	3
PS 380	Optics Laboratory ^**	3
PS 408	Astrophysics II	3
UNIV 101	College Success	1

Research Thesis (6 credits)

PS 490	Senior Research Thesis, Part I	3
PS 491	Senior Research Thesis, Part II	3

Technical Electives (9 credits)

Choose a total of 3 courses from the list of courses below:

MA 412	Probability and Statistics	3
MA 442	Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics II	3
MA 443	Complex Variables	3
PS 322	Classical Mechanics II ^**	3
PS 331	Electricity and Magnetism II ^**	3
PS 405	Atomic Nuclear Physics ^*	3
PS 412	Particle Physics and Cosmology ^*	3
PS 413	Particle Physics and Cosmology II	3
PS 422	Space Propulsion	3

Technical electives include MA or PS Directed Study courses that may be approved by the Department Chair.

Open Elective (7 Credits)

Open Electives

Total Credits

120

*: Offered in Fall only
**: Offered in Spring only
#: General Education Courses

All Army ROTC students are required to complete SS 321 - U.S. Military History 1900-Present (3 credits) in order to commission.

Suggested Plan of Study

Freshman Year
Fall		Credits
CHM 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I	4
	Communication Elective Lower-Level	3
MA 241	Calculus and Analytical Geometry I	4
PS 215	Physics I	3
PS 216	Physics I Laboratory	1
UNIV 101	College Success	1
	Credits Subtotal	16.0
Spring
CS 118	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
or EGR 115	Introduction to Computing for Engineers
MA 242	Calculus and Analytical Geometry II	4
PS 204	General Astronomy	3
PS 208	Physics II	3
PS 221	Intermediate Physics Laboratory	2
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Sophomore Year
Fall
	Humanities Lower-Level Elective	3
MA 243	Calculus and Analytical Geometry III	4
PS 219	Physics III	3
PS 222	Intermediate Astronomy	3
PS 232	Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences	3
	Credits Subtotal	16.0
Spring
MA 335	Introduction to Linear and Abstract Algebra	3
MA 345	Differential Equations and Matrix Methods	4
PS 303	Modern Physics	3
PS 315	Modern Physics Laboratory	2
PS 332	Techniques of Observational Astronomy	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Junior Year
Fall
	Communication Lower-Level Elective	3
MA 441	Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I	3
	Open Electives	3
PS 330	Electricity and Magnetism I	3
PS 340	Astrophysics I	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Spring
PS 380	Optics Laboratory	3
	Communication Lower-Level Elective	3
	Social Science Lower-Level Elective	3
	Technical Elective	6
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Senior Year
Fall
	Humanities Upper-Level Elective	3
PS 321	Classical Mechanics I	3
PS 408	Astrophysics II	3
PS 490	Senior Research Thesis, Part I	3
	Social Science Upper-Level Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Spring
	Open Electives	4
PS 350	Quantum Mechanics I	3
PS 491	Senior Research Thesis, Part II	3
	Technical Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	13.0
	Credits Total:	120.0

For course descriptions, education requirements, curriculum, and suggested plan of study, please see the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy in the Prescott Catalog.