The University of Maryland at College Park offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Astronomy as well as a series of courses of general interest to non-majors. Astronomy majors are given a strong undergraduate preparation in astronomy, mathematics and physics. The degree program is designed to prepare students for positions in government and industry laboratories or for graduate work in astronomy or related fields. A degree in astronomy has also proven valuable as preparation for non-astronomical careers. The Undergraduate Catalog provides an overview of the Astronomy Department and program.

Course Information

Lists of Astronomy-related courses are available in a couple of formats:

• The department maintains an index of all offered undergraduate astronomy courses. This list includes course descriptions but does not indicate whether a class is being taught in a particular semester.
• The university maintains a schedule of the astronomy courses offered each semester. These lists also include the prerequisites, current status of enrollment, and waitlist sizes for each class.

Requirements for the Major

Astronomy majors are required to take a two semester introductory astrophysics course sequence: ASTR 120 and ASTR 121. In addition, ASTR 310 (Optical Astronomy), ASTR 320 (Theoretical Astrophysics), and any two 400-level astronomy courses are required.

Students majoring in astronomy must also obtain a good background in physics. The required sequence is PHYS 171, 272, 273, and the associated labs PHYS 174, 275, and 276. (With permission of the undergratuate advisor, PHYS 161, 260, 261, 270, and 271 can be substituted for this sequence.) In addition, three upper level physics courses are required: PHYS 374, 401, and 404.

Astronomy majors also take a series of supporting courses in mathematics. These are MATH 140, 141, 240 (or 461), 241, and 246.

The program requires that a grade of C or better be obtained in all required courses. Any student who wishes to be recommended for graduate work in astronomy must maintain at least a B average. He or she should also consider including several additional advanced courses beyond the minimum required, to be selected from astronomy, physics, and mathematics. He or she should also be familiar with at least one programming language.

Detailed information on typical programs and alternatives to the standard program can be found in the pamphlet entitled "Department Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Astronomy" which is available from the Astronomy Department office.

Facilities

The Department of Astronomy has joined with four other universities in upgrading and operating CARMA, a 23-telescope millimeter wavelength array located at Cedar Flat in California. Observations can be made remotely from the College Park campus. Several undergraduate students have been involved in projects associated with this array. The Department also operates a small observatory on campus. This is equipped with a CCD camera which is used in the observing class. Results obtained at the observatory can be analyzed using the department's computer network.
Click here for more information about the department's facilities.

Honors

The Honors Program offers students of exceptional ability and interest in astronomy opportunities for research participation. Honors students work with a faculty advisor on a research project for academic credit. Certain graduate courses are open for credit toward the bachelor's degree. Students are accepted into the Honors Program by the Department's Honors Committee on the basis of recommendations from their advisors and other faculty members. Honors candidates submit a written report on their research project which, together with an oral comprehensive examination in the senior year, concludes the program which may lead to graduation "with honors (or high honors) in astronomy."

Further information about advising and the Honors Program can be obtained by calling the Department of Astronomy office at (301) 405-3001.

There are a variety of courses offered for students who are interested in learning about astronomy but do not wish to major in it. These courses do not require any background in mathematics or physics and are designed especially for the non-science major. ASTR 100 or ASTR 101 provide a general survey of astronomy. (ASTR 101 is similar to 100 but includes hands-on astronomical laboratory work.) Several 300-level courses are offered primarily for non-science students who want to learn about a particular field in depth, such as the solar system, cosmology, and life in the universe.