The Bachelor of Science with a major in astronomy requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 63 s.h. of work for the major. 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 provides balanced and integrated coursework in astronomy, mathematics, and physics that prepares students for graduate studies in astronomy, astrophysics, or related science disciplines. Students must complete several required mathematics courses in addition to the required physics and astronomy core. The department offers a wide range of upper-level electives and students are encouraged to explore different research areas. All students are strongly encouraged to get involved with research.

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 Science in astronomy, visit the UI General Catalog.

Plan of Study

The plan of study below lists only the core courses required for a B.S. 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.

A pdf document outlining this sample plan may be found here.

^GE  _{This course satisfies a General Education requirement.}
^a  _{Enrollment in math courses requires completion of a placement exam.}
^b  _{These courses are offered every other year - ASTR:3771 [even-years only], ASTR:3772 and ASTR:4850 [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 Plasma Physics I (PHYS:4731) (3 s.h.) instead to fulfill major requirements.}

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 Science 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 Science 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.

A checklist outlining a sample plan of study for a double major may be found in pdf format here.