Registration Guide: Astronomy

Astronomy majors are required to complete three levels of calculus: CAS MA 123 Calculus 1, CAS MA 124 Calculus 2, and CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus (all offered either semester):

• If you have no external credit for calculus, take CAS MA 123 Calculus 1 (offered either semester).
• If you have external credit (such as AP or IB scores) that fulfills CAS MA 123, take the next course in the sequence, CAS MA 124 Calculus 2 (offered either semester).
• If you have already fulfilled both CAS MA 123 and CAS MA 124, you should take the final course in the sequence, CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus (offered either semester).
• If you have taken AP or IB exams in calculus, but don’t have the scores back yet, register with cautious optimism. This means if you feel confident you did well on the exams, register as if you will be receiving the advanced credit according to our external/advanced placement guides (on your checklist). Once your scores have been received, you can drop this course if you were not awarded AP/IB credit and add the appropriate level.

If taken as AP or IB credit you will receive one single requirement in Quantitative Reasoning II for CAS MA 123 (and one single requirement in Quantitative Reasoning II for CAS MA 124, if eligible).

If taken at BU, you will receive the following Hub requirements:

• CAS MA 123: Quantitative Reasoning II and Critical Thinking.
• CAS MA 124: Quantitative Reasoning II, Scientific Inquiry II and Critical Thinking
• CAS MA 225: Quantitative Reasoning II and Critical Thinking

CAS AS 202 Principles of Astronomy 1 (offered Fall semester) and CAS AS 203 Principles of Astronomy 2 (offered Spring semester) are the required introductory course for all Astronomy majors. There is not a required sequence to these courses, which means you can take them in any order. If you are starting in the fall semester, you should take AS 202, and if you are starting in the Spring semester you should take AS 203. However, both of these courses have a co-requisite of CAS MA 123, which means you must take them either with or after you have completed CAS MA 123.

• CAS AS 202 will fulfill a Hub requirement in each of the following areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, and Critical Thinking.
• CAS AS 203 will fulfill a Hub requirement in each of the following areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning II, and Critical Thinking.

For your third course, you will choose the appropriate level physics course. The course you choose will depend on any external credit you already have as well as the level you wish to take. You should select one course based on the following:

• CAS PY 251 Principles of Physics 1 (offered Fall semester) – This course lists CAS MA 123 Calculus 1 or equivalent as a pre-requisite (meaning you must complete Calculus 1 prior to taking the suggested physics course) as well as MA 124 Calculus 2 as a co-requisite (meaning you must be taking Calculus 2 at the same time as or prior to taking the suggested physics course). In other words: if you have advanced placement or external credit equivalent to CAS MA 123 Calculus 1, you may register for CAS PY 251. If you do not have advanced placement or external credit equivalent to MA 123, see the second physics course option below.
  • If taken at BU, CAS PY 251 fulfills a single requirement in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking, and Teamwork/Collaboration.
  • A note about if you have, or will have, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or other external credit awarded for physics: If you took the AP or IB examinations and received advanced credit for CAS PY 105, CAS PY 106, CAS PY 211, CAS or PY 212, AND you took a calculus AP or IB and received advanced credit for CAS MA 123, you may register for CAS PY 251.

-OR-

• CAS PY 211 General Physics 1 (offered either semester) – This course lists CAS MA 123 Calculus 1 or equivalent (or the instructor’s consent), as a pre-requisite and CAS MA 124 Calculus 2 as as a co-requisite. This means that if you have advanced placement or external credit equivalent to CAS MA 123 Calculus 1, you may register for this course. If you do not have advanced placement or external credit equivalent, you may still be able to take it; you should register for PY 211 but then discuss it with your major advisor during Orientation. You will most likely be approved to take MA 123 and PY 211 at the same time.
  • If taken at BU, CAS PY 211 fulfills a single requirement in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking, and Teamwork/Collaboration.

Your fourth course should be a writing course:

• If you did not apply to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you can take either:
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar. Each section of WR 120 focuses on a specific topic/theme, so you should register for a section that pairs with your interests.
  • CAS CC 101 Core Humanities 1: Ancient Worlds: (offered Fall only): An interdisciplinary study of the origins of civilization, from Mesopotamia and the Hebrew Bible to the development of Greek civilization through Homer, Greek tragedy, and the philosophy of Plato. You should enroll in CAS CC 101 if you are considering the Core Curriculum. This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, First-Year Writing Seminar, Creativity/Innovation.

• If you applied to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you should take the Multilingual Writer Placement (instructions will be sent via email) before you register for a writing course. The writing placement is a suggestion, but it will help you make an informed decision about the most appropriate level for you. Depending on what level WR course you register for, you will fulfill the following Hub requirements:
  • CAS WR 111 Academic Writing for ESL Students 1 – fulfills The Individual in Community Hub
  • CAS WR 112 Academic Writing for ESL Students 2 – fulfills Global Citizenship & Intercultural Literacy Hub
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar – fulfills First-Year Writing Seminar Hub (If you place into WR 120, you are welcome to take CC 101 Core Humanities 1 instead to fulfill your FYW Hub.)

First-Year Seminar: FY 101 (offered fall only, 1 unit) – Optional

FY101 is a one-unit course that serves as a semester-long introduction to BU and college life. Each section is co-taught by a BU staff member alongside a BU student.  You will meet with a small community of other incoming students who will serve as conversation partners as together you learn how to leverage BU’s resources to create a more successful and meaningful college experience. Through discussions, activities, class field trips and program-wide events, you will make immediate connections with the BU community. Specialty sections are available for natural science majors, social science majors, computer science and math majors, undeclared students, and first-generation college students. Check out the natural science sections below! Is your preferred specialty section full or unavailable? Register for a general CAS section (CAS FY101 AB-IE) where you will get to meet students from across CAS!

 -OR-

First-Year Career Development Seminar: FY 102 (offered spring only, 1 unit) – Optional

FY102 will help first-year students get started on utilizing the Career Development Cycle to maximize their time at BU. During this course students will create a plan of action towards choosing a major, creating a resume, finding an internship, and preparing for a career that they will love. Seminars are offered in various fields of interest and include guest speakers from different industries.