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Bachelor of Science - Columbus State University

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Academics

Bachelor of Science

Program Description

Astrophysics is the study of planets, stars, galaxies and the universe itself. Planetary Geology is the study of planets beyond Earth, and to an extent the study of Earth as a planet.

Career Opportunities

Majoring in a physical science, such as our Astrophysics and Planetary Geology degree, sets you up for a wealth of possible careers because you will become an excellent problem solver. Working for or with NASA as they move into the 2010s and beyond is only one of the many possibilities. People with similar degrees also work as writers, doctors, lawyers, and engineers.

* Physics degree holders are in the top 2 scoring groups of majors on the MCAT (2003 statistics)
* NASA expects not to have enough people to replace those who will be retiring in the next 20 years. NASA funds missions to study the Earth as well as astronomical objects.
* News outlets need science journalists, and movies often employ scientists as consultants.
* Staff for Members of Congress and patent lawyers need technical and scientific backgrounds.

Becoming an Astrophysics and Planetary Geology major will open up a world (or even a universe!) of possibilities for you after you leave Columbus.

Admission Requirements

Students are presumed to enter the program with the equivalent of MATH 1111 (College Algebra). Students without that background may need to take additional classes to meet course prerequisites.

Learning Outcomes

Students in this program will:

1. Be able to discuss knowledgeably the current state of understanding in physics, astrophysics, and planetary geology.
2. Be able to solve a wide variety of physical problems ranging from planetary mechanics to stellar structure and evolution.
3. Be able to interpret the results of such physical problems and describe their implications in the context of a given physical situation.
4. Be able to demonstrate the skills required to use a remote computer-controlled, professional-level telescope.
5. Be able to use an optical telescope and attached instruments to take images.
6. Be able to obtain, graph, and interpret results from various detectors.
6. Be able to demonstrate comprehension of professional journal articles, and write up observations and results in the style of a journal article.

Additional Program Requirements

There are no program specific academic regulations.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
MATH 1113 or MATH 1131*
*Extra hour applied to Area F

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4
COMM 1110
Select one of the following courses:

ITDS 2726
ITDS 2727
ITDS 2735
ITDS 2746
ITDS 2748
ITDS 2749
ITDS 2755
OR
Select one of the following courses:
EURO 2105
LEAD 1705
LIBR 1105
POLS 2401
HIST 1111
HIST 1112
Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the two extra hours may be used as electives.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

ENGL 2111
ENGL 2112
ITDS 1145*
ITDS 1155
ITDS 2125 (Historical perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics)
PHIL 2010
Select one of the following fine arts courses:
ARTH 1100
ITDS 1145*
MUSC 1100
THEA 1100
*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 11
Select two lab science courses from below: MATH 1131* or MATH 1132*
*Extra hour applied to Area F

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

ECON 2105
ECON 2106
PHIL 2030
PSYC 1101
SOCI 1101
Select one world cultures course from the following courses:
ANTH 1105
ANTH 1107
ANTH 2105
ANTH 2136
ENGL 2136
GEOG 1101
HIST 1111
HIST 1112
ITDS 1156

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
“C”or better required in each course
GEOL 1121 Intro Geo 1: Physical Geology
GEOL 1121L Intro Geo 1: Physical Geology 1 Lab
Take the following physics sequence:
PHYS 1111 Introductory Physics 1
PHYS 1112 Introductory Physics 2
PHYS 1311 Introductory Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 1312 Introductory Physics 2 Lab
OR
PHYS 2211 Principles of Physics 1
PHYS 2212 Principles of Physics 2
PHYS 2311 Principles of Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 2312 Principles of Physics 2 Lab

Select 3 or more hours from the following:
ASTR 1105 Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System
ASTR 1305 Descriptive Astronomy Lab
ASTR 1106 Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
BIOL 1215K Principles of Biology
ENVS 1105 Environmental Studies
ENVS 1205K Sustainability and the Environment
GEOL 1110 Natural Sciences

Up to 3 can be added from Areas A, B and/or D with advisor approval.

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 34
“C”or better required in each course

ASTR 1105 Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System
ASTR 1106 Descriptive Astronomy 2: Stars, Galaxies & Cosmology
ASTR 1305 Descriptive Astronomy Lab
ASTR 3105 Physics, Chemistry and Geology of Solar Sys
ASTR 3115 Intro to Astrophysics
ASTR 3205 Observational Techniques for Astrophysics
ENGR 2165 Thermodynamics
GEOL 3266 Mineralogy
PHYS 3100 Waves and Optics
PHYS 3200 Twentieth Century Physics
PHYS 4100 Survey of Quantum Mechanics

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 26
MATH 1132 Calculus w/ Analytic Geom 2 (if not taken in Area D)
Take at least sixteen hours from the following:

ASTR 4899
ASTR 5105
ASTR 5555
ENGR 2206
ENGR 2217
GEOL 3215
GEOL 3235
GEOL 3265
GEOL 3275
GEOL 4275
GEOL 4795
GEOL 5115
GEOL 5116
GEOL 5135
GEOL 5165
GEOL 5215
GEOL 5555
ISCI 5555
MATH 3105
MATH 3107
PHIL 3145
STAT 1127

The following courses may be taken in Area H provided the required minimum of 39 upper level credit hours has been met:

CHEM 2115
CHEM 2315
CPSC 1301
CPSC 1301L
CPSC 1302
MATH 2115
MATH 2135
PHYS 1125
PHYS 1325
Other PHYS, GEOL, ENVS, ASTR, CHEM, ENGR, CPSC or MATH courses may be used toward Area H requirements as approved by the student's advisor.

Total Hours Required: 123

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