Bachelor of Science in
Astronomy or Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects such as planets, stars, galaxies, and the Universe as a whole. In practice, Astronomy is mostly about using remote observations of celestial objects to understand how those objects work.
At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, students in the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy program are prepared to enter a broad variety of industrial and basic science applications, as well as graduate programs in related fields. Students will use a combination of physics and astronomy classroom courses, along with hands-on laboratory courses, to understand and explore the Universe.
Being one of only a few small private institutions with an Astronomy program, ERAU offers students plenty of advantages that include faculty ties to major resources, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, and major research programs sponsored by NASA and the National Science Foundation.
The current placement rate for Embry-Riddle graduates who have earned their degree in Astronomy is 99 percent, which includes those who continue their education to pursue advanced degrees.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 14 percent increase in Physics & Astronomy jobs between 2016 and 2026.
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) says graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in the physics field make up to $60,000 in the private sector in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) positions.
Students frequently work one-on-one with faculty on research projects and activities.
DEGREE DETAILS
This degree is offered at the following campuses. Select a campus to learn more.
About Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus
The B.S. in Astronomy & Astrophysics at the Daytona Beach Campus has a strong fundamental basis in mathematics and physics. Housed in the Department of Physical Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, the program is a member of the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy (SARA) and has been appointed the consortium’s lead administrative institution by its Board of Directors.
The department’s observatory facilities include an instrumented 1-meter telescope (the largest university research telescope in the southeastern U.S.). This and other high-caliber technologies are used in the laboratory components of the program. Two new spectrographs, fed by light from the 1-meter telescope, enable students to determine the temperatures, compositions, rotation rates, and speeds of stars, planets, nebulae and extragalactic objects.
As the lead member of the SARA, a group of 12 U.S. universities with similar goals for education and research in astronomy and astrophysics, students have remote access to telescopes around the globe. Through this partnership, ERAU faculty and students will have almost continuous access to nearly 90 percent of the sky.
Astronomy & Astrophysics students have access to dynamic labs on campus, including the Laboratory for Exosphere and Near Space Environment Studies (LENSES). LENSES houses computer workstations, two- and three-etalon Fabry-Perot interferometers, and optical calibrations sources with which to conduct optical observations of earth's exosphere, the moon, and stars.
Students are eligible to participate in study abroad programs.
The Bachelor of Science in Astronomy & Astrophysics has a strong fundamental basis in mathematics and physics. Added to this basis are the General Education components and the specialized courses of the field of study. It takes advantage of our department's observatory facilities, including an instrumented 1 meter telescope (the largest University research telescope in the southeastern United States), and folds them into laboratory components of the program, combining mathematics, physics, optics, astronomy, astrophysics, and instrumentation. The program’s strong emphasis on fundamental mathematics and applied sciences provides the flexibility to enter a broad variety of industrial and basic science applications, as well as graduate programs in related fields.
Admission Requirements
To enter this program, students must have completed four years of high school science and mathematics, demonstrating a high level of competency. Successful candidates for this program will be prepared to enter Calculus I and Chemistry for Engineers.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Astronomy & Astrophysics degree program requires 120 credit hours. The program can be completed in eight semesters. The courses necessary to earn this degree are listed below. A grade of C or better is required in MA 241/242/243 and PS 226/227/228 or PS 150/160/250 as a pre-requisite for entry into all subsequent EP and PS courses.
General Education Requirements
For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs.
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| EP 101 | Current Topics in Space Science | 1 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| MA 242 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry II | 4 |
| Communication, Theory and Skills * | 6 | |
| CHM 140 | Chemistry for Engineers | 4 |
| CHM 110L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| PS 226 | Physics I | 3 |
| PS 226L | Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| Lower-Level Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Lower-Level Social Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Year Two | ||
| EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| MA 243 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 |
| MA 345 | Differential Equations and Matrix Methods | 4 |
| PS 227 | Physics II | 3 |
| PS 228 | Physics III | 3 |
| PS 228L | Physics III Laboratory | 1 |
| PS 316 | Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics I | 3 |
| PS 317 | Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics II | 3 |
| PS 318 | Introductory Astrophysics Laboratory | 1 |
| Communication, Theory and Skills * | 3 | |
| Lower-Level Humanities or Social Sciences Elective * | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
| Year Three | ||
| EP 320 | Electro-Optical Engineering | 3 |
| EP 345 | Space Science Seminar | 1 |
| EP 400 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 3 |
| MA 441 | Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I | 3 |
| MA 442 | Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics II | 3 |
| PS 303 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PS 305 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PS 320 | Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PS 401 | Astrophysics | 3 |
| Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science Elective * | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 29.0 | |
| Year Four | ||
| EP 420 | Planetary Science | 3 |
| EP 425 | Observational Astronomy | 3 |
| EP 440 | Engineering Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| EP 455 | Quantum Mechanics | 3 |
| PS 405 | Atomic Nuclear Physics | 3 |
| PS 408 | Astrophysics II | 3 |
| EP 492 | Senior Project ( Or Technical Elective) | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Tech Elective | 6 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 120.0 | |
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Degree Summary
120 Credits
Estimate your tuition by using the Tuition Calculator
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Learn about our General Education
Find out about transferring credits to this degree
Learn more about our Veterans & Military benefits
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About Astronomy at the Prescott, AZ Campus
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy program at the Prescott Campus have an exceptional environment that takes advantage of Prescott’s high altitude and clear skies in which to master astrophysics, quantum mechanics, and more.
Through hands-on experiences with the instruments that unlock the secrets of the skies, students can make precise observations of a variety of celestial objects. Prescott’s Campus houses The Optical Observatory, newly upgraded with a computer-controlled 16-inch diameter telescope and professional-quality electronic camera.
Prescott students attend classes in dynamic, engineering-related labs and facilities , such as the Campus Observatory Complex, Cosmic Ray Laboratory, and Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).
Prescott’s high altitude location away from large cities allows students to take advantage of equipment access on campus to view the nearest heavens, while peering up at the farthest reaches through access to the Hubble Space Telescope and research programs at NASA and the National Science Foundation.
Prescott’s Campus is one of only a handful of Astronomy degree programs in the Western United States.
Diverse co-operative education (co-op)/internship opportunities are available for students interested in expanding their experiences.
Students can participate in study abroad opportunities.
The Bachelor of Science in Astronomy is a program designed to prepare students for work in space-related and aerospace-related industries, academic and government research laboratories, graduate studies in astronomy and astrophysics, and other careers such as science education. Astronomy is the study of celestial objects such as planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies, as well as the Universe as a whole. Astronomers apply the fundamental laws of physics to celestial objects to understand the appearance and behavior of those objects. Students will explore objects ranging from the nearby (e.g., the Solar System) to the farthest reaches of the Universe and its origin (e.g., cosmology and the Big Bang).
In addition to classroom learning, students will gain hands-on experience with astronomical equipment, such as telescopes and sophisticated electronic cameras, using the Campus Observatory Complex. Students will learn how to plan, execute, and analyze astronomical observations. In their senior year, students satisfying course and GPA requirements have the option of completing a senior research thesis project in an area of interest that overlaps with the research interests of a supervising faculty member. Opportunities also exist before the senior year for student-faculty research projects. Whether contributing to the fundamental knowledge of astronomical objects, furthering space exploration, or engaging in one of an additional variety of available careers, graduates of this program will be prepared to become leaders in space-related fields.
Admission Requirements
To enter this program, students must have completed four years of high school science and mathematics, demonstrating a high level of competency. Successful candidates for this program will be prepared to enter Calculus I, Physics I, and General Chemistry and must have a good command of written English.
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. The list is organized as a “vertical outline” according to the year and semester in which the courses would normally be taken. While it is not a requirement that the courses be taken during the year shown, students should be aware that several courses in each academic year may have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Therefore, it is recommended that students keep their schedule as close as possible to the one shown below. Before registering for a course, check the course descriptions to ensure that all prerequisites and/or corequisites are met. Note that prerequisites for a course are only considered met if the student obtained a grade of “C” or better in the prerequisite 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.
Suggested Program of Study
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| COM Elective * | 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 |
| CHM 110 & 110L |
General Chemistry I | 4 |
| 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 | ||
| HU 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 271 | Techniques of Observational Astronomy | 3 |
| PS 303 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PS 315 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM Elective* | 3 | |
| MA 441 | Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Physics I | 3 |
| PS 330 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PS 340 | Astrophysics I | 3 |
| Technical elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| PS 408 | Astrophysics II | 3 |
| SS Upper-Level Elective * | 3 | |
| COM Elective * | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PS 321 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PS 490 | Senior Research Thesis, Part I | 3 |
| HU Upper-level Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 4 | |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| PS 350 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PS 380 | Optics Laboratory | 3 |
| PS 491 | Senior Research Thesis, Part II | 3 |
| SS Lower-Level Elective * | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 12.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 120.0 | |
| * | Embry-Riddle courses in the general education categories of Communication, Humanities, and Social Sciences may be chose from the list below, assuming prerequisites are met. Courses from other institutions are acceptable it they fall into these broad categories and are at the approximate level. |
| Communications Electives | ||
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| COM 222 | Business Communication | 3 |
| or any COM 3XX or COM 4XX course | 3 | |
| Lower-Level Social Science Electives | ||
| EC 210 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| EC 211 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Any Lower-Level SS, RS, or SIS course | 3 | |
| Lower-Level Humanities Electives | ||
| Any Lower-Level HU Course | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Humanities Electives | ||
| Any Upper-Level HU Course | ||
| Upper-Level Social Science Electives | ||
| Any Upper-Level SS Course | ||
| Technical Electives | ||
| 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 420 | Remote Sensing | 3 |
| PS 422 | Space Propulsion | 3 |
| PS 451 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| PS 299 | Special Topics in Physical Science | 1-4 |
| or PS 399 | Special Topic in Physical Science | |
| or PS 499 | Special Topic in Physical Science | |
| MA 412 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| MA 443 | Complex Variables | 3 |
| MA 299 | Special Topics in Mathematics | 1-4 |
| or MA 399 | Special Topics in Mathematics | |
| or MA 499 | Special Topics in Mathematics | |
| Any other upper-division technical course with approval of the Astronomy Department | ||
Get Started Now:
Degree Summary
120 Credits
Estimate your tuition by using the Tuition Calculator
View Financial Aid Information
Learn about our General Education
Find out about transferring credits to this degree
Learn more about our Veterans & Military benefits
View our Academic Calendar