Astronomy, BSLAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Astronomy
The Department of Astronomy also offers a BSLAS in Computer Science & Astronomy.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Astronomy
Departmental distinction: A student majoring in astronomy may earn distinction or high distinction by attaining a minimum grade point average of 3.4 or 3.75, respectively, in required major courses (defined in the table below) taken at UIUC. For highest distinction, in addition to meeting the minimum requirements for high distinction, a senior thesis (ASTR 490) must be completed with strong endorsement by the research supervisor. Questions about eligibility for distinction status should be directed to an astronomy advisor before the senior year.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equates to 48-51 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be taken on this campus.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-20 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation and Professional Development | ||
| LAS 101 | Design Your First Year Experience | 1 |
OR | ||
| LAS 100 & LAS 101 | Success in LAS for International Students and Design Your First Year Experience | 3 |
OR | ||
| LAS 102 | Transfer Advantage | 1 |
| Total Hours | 1 or 3 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomy Core | ||
| ASTR 210 | Introduction to Astrophysics (Students without a background in physics or astronomy are encouraged to take ASTR121 and ASTR122 during their freshman year.) | 3 |
| ASTR 310 | Computing in Astronomy | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9-10 | |
| Stellar Astrophysics | ||
| Planetary Systems | ||
| Galaxies and the Universe | ||
| Astronomical Techniques | ||
| Select at least an additional 9 hours of 300- or 400-level ASTR or PHYS courses (Other 300- or 400-level technical classes, e.g. chemistry, computer science engineering, or statistics can be substituted with academic adviser approval. Additionally, a maximum of 4 hours of credit in ASTR 390 (or equivalent "Independent Study" course, such as PHYS 497) can be counted towards this requirement.) | 9 | |
| Supporting Technical Courses | ||
| Physics | 12 | |
| University Physics: Mechanics | ||
| University Physics: Elec & Mag | ||
| Univ Physics: Thermal Physics | ||
| Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | ||
| Mathematics | 11 | |
| Calculus I (MATH 220 may be substituted for MATH 221. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.) | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Calculus III | ||
| Total Hours | 47-48 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Astronomy
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Free elective course | 1 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| MATH 221 (or MATH 220) | 4 | PHYS 211 | 4 |
| Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | Language Other than English (4th level) | 4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MATH 241 | 4 | ASTR 210 | 3 |
| PHYS 212 | 4 | PHYS 213 | 2 |
| General Education course | 3 | PHYS 214 | 2 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | ||
| Free elective course | 3 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ASTR Core course | 3 | ASTR Core Course | 3 |
| ASTR or PHYS 300- or 400-level course | 3 | ASTR or PHYS 300- or 400-level course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ASTR Core course | 3 | ASTR or PHYS 300-or 400-level course | 3 |
| ASTR or PHYS 300- or 400- level course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Astronomy
Undergraduate Astronomy majors will graduate with a demonstrated ability to:
LO1. Understand the hierarchical architecture of the cosmos, increasing in scale from the Solar System to the Galaxy to the Universe, and decreasing in scale to atoms and their nuclei. Understand the interplay among these scales.
LO2. Define and use fundamental principles and techniques of astronomy and astrophysics.
- Identify which principles should be applied to a specified situation
- Show familiarity with astronomical observables and their physical origin.
- Understand and apply basic physics and computational techniques to solve problems in astrophysics, and interpret the results.
LO3. Analyze astronomical data, and quantitative data generally.
- Demonstrate the ability to link observation and theory.
- Demonstrate the ability to draw qualitative conclusions from quantitative information, and vice versa.
- Demonstrate the ability to plan observational programs, use astronomical telescopes and instrumentation, and to analyze and present astronomical data.
LO4. Plan and perform guided research, or attain an advanced-level understanding of a topic of contemporary interest in astronomy and astrophysics.
LO5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Astronomy
Department of Astronomy website
Astronomy faculty
Astronomy advising
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website