Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy

SUNY New Paltz

The Department of Physics & Astronomy offers majors and minors in both physics and astronomy, serves a variety of other majors in the sciences and education, and offers general education courses to a wide range of students. The Physics major (70-74 credits) leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and provides a broad base of fundamentals while also giving students the opportunity to get specialized training. Two-semester introductory courses that survey physics, chemistry, and calculus, as well as one semester of computer science, are followed by courses covering classical and modern physics, optics, computational physics, applied mathematics, and intermediate and advanced laboratories, among other subjects. Pursuing research with a faculty member in the fields of applied optics, computational solid-state physics, biophysics, or astronomy prepares students for careers and graduate study in physics. The capstone experience is a senior project, in which students may choose to conduct research with a faculty member or pursue a topic of special interest. Astronomy is a field that captures the popular imagination. Many of us are eager to explore the science of stars, galaxies, and the solar system and to extend our understanding of the physical nature of the universe. The study of astronomy engages this natural curiosity about the cosmos while strengthening the student's scientific and technological literacy. The 50-credit astronomy major leads to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Students have ample opportunity to study one or more other academic areas and may choose to declare a second major or a minor in a field that supports their career goals. Research with a faculty member in astronomy and astrophysics strengthens student preparation for graduate study in astronomy.

School of Science and Engineering