The Bachelor of Arts with a major in astronomy requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 49 s.h. of work for the major. The B.A. program requires fewer physics and mathematics courses than the B.S. program does, giving students a wider choice of electives. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. A cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.00 is required for graduation. Students must also complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.

The program is designed for students who wish to build considerable knowledge in astronomy but do not plan a research-oriented career in the field. It is appropriate for students planning careers in secondary school science teaching or science-related administration.

Listed below are the general categories of coursework required to earn the degree; for more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Bachelor of Arts in astronomy, visit the UI General Catalog.

Plan of Study

The plan of study below lists only the core courses required for a B.A. in Astronomy.  This does not include required GE CLAS Core courses, which may be found here, and electives.  Undergraduates are also strongly encouraged to be active participants in research within the department.

^GE  _{This course satisfies a General Education requirement.}
^a  _{Enrollment in math courses requires completion of a placement exam.}
^b  _{This course is typically offered every other year [odd-years only]. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.}
^c  _{May take Electronics (PHYS:3850) (4 s.h.) instead to fulfill major requirements.}
^d  _{May take Introductory Optics (PHYS:4720) (3 s.h.) instead to fulfill major requirements.}
^e  _{Although this course is not required for the BA, it is currently listed as a prerequisite for PHYS:3811 (Electricity & Magnetism I).}

GE CLAS Core Requirements

The GE CLAS Core has 11 required areas, grouped into three categories. Students must fulfill the requirements in each GE CLAS Core area. The requirements below are for students who entered the University of Iowa during Summer 2023 or after. Students who entered during a previous semester are held to different requirements as indicated on a student's degree audit.

^a  _{A single course may satisfy both the Sustainability requirement as well as another Core Category - either Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences or Culture, Society, and the Arts.}
^b  _{The Natural Sciences GE requirements are met by taking PHYS:1701 and PHYS:1702 (Physics I and II) or ASTR:1771 and ASTR:1772 (Intro Astronomy I and II).}
^c  _{The Quantitative or Formal Reasoning GE requirements are fulfilled by taking MATH:1850 (Calculus I).}

Degree Requirements

Below is a summary of the total semester hour requirements to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy.

^a  _{This total does not include the Natural Sciences or Quantitative Formal Reasoning requirements, both of which are met with required courses in the major.}

Double Major in Physics and Astronomy

Students working toward a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in physics and in astronomy must complete all requirements for both majors and must earn a minimum of 56 s.h. outside the Department of Physics and Astronomy in order to graduate. Students interested in earning a double major should consult with their advisors. See Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website.