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2025-2026 General Catalog
Astronomy and Space Science, B.S.
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 Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
General Degree Requirements
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Major Requirements (Minimum 34 Cr.)
Courses Recommended For Students Intending to Pursue Graduate Study in Astronomy or Astrophysics:
Additional Recommended Courses
Space Science
The Space Science Concentration is for students who are interested in working in the field of space science. Space Science is broad, spanning astrophysics to astronautics, so a well-prepared student should have course work that includes astronomy courses as well as engineering and remote sensing courses. In addition to the required PHYS and ASTR courses, suggested courses include: ECE-100 (Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering), ECE-263 and 263L (Linear Circuit Theory), GEO-130 (Earth from Above), GEO-330 (Remote Sensing of the Environment), and MET-490 (Topics), but other courses are also possible, depending on areas of student interests. Students are also encouraged to participate in co-curricular and outreach activities, such as running our on-campus telescope, joining the Space Club, and doing research in astronomy and/or engineering. Public Science
The Public Science Concentration is for students who are interested in publicizing scientific and technological advances and concepts to general audiences, working at museums, planetariums, science outreach offices at national labs, public relations offices, media outlets, online sites, etc. In addition to the required PHYS and ASTR courses, we suggest taking a few of these courses in Communications and Visual Arts (CVA) and English: CVA-160 (Media Storytelling), CVA-243 (Public Speaking), CVA-251 (Studio Television Production), CVA-230 (Graphic Design), CVA-364 (Public Relations in Writing), CVA-350 (Audio Production), CVA-401 (Social Media), and ENGL-440 (Multimedia Writing and Design). Students are also encouraged to participate in co-curricular and outreach activities, such as running our on-campus telescope open house nights, interning at area museums or national labs, and engaging with school groups and other groups on and off campus.
Astrophysics
The Astrophysics Concentration is for students who are interested in going to graduate school in astronomy to pursue a masters or doctorate degree. In addition to the required PHYS and ASTR courses, we suggest taking as many upper-level physics electives as possible, including PHYS-371 (E&M), PHYS-372 (E&M II), PHYS-381 (Advanced Mechanics), PHYS-421 (Quantum Mechanics I), PHYS-422 (Quantum Mechanics II), and PHYS-430 (Nuclear Physics). We also strongly encourage students to pursue summer research internships at Valpo and/or other institutions. Degree Map: (Graduate School) Sequence
Odd year entry (2021, 2023, etc) Degree Map: (Graduate School) Sequence
Even year entry (2022, 2024, etc) Note:
Typical course load per semester is 14 - 18. Need 15.5 per semester on average to achieve the 124 credit minimum for graduation.
*Not required for major, but essential for graduate school preparation.
^Optional helpful courses for graduate school preparation.
For those who want to study abroad, spring of junior year or fall of senior year are best options.
Can be taken other semesters, as fits your schedule. Degree Map: (Non-Graduate School) Sequence
Odd year entry (2021, 2023, etc) Degree Map: (Non-Graduate School) Sequence
Odd year entry (2021, 2023, etc) Note:
Typical course load per semester is 14 - 18. Need 15.5 per semester on average to achieve the 124 credit minimum for graduation.
We highly recommend double majoring in another field (e.g. Communications, Business, Computer Science, etc).
Recommended, but not required, courses.
Can be taken in Junior year, but then it is more difficult to take additional upper level class.
Can be taken sophomore year instead.
For those who want to study abroad, fall of junior year is the best option. |
Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
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