Registration Guide: Astronomy & Physics
Astronomy & Physics majors, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning as well as some of the requirements in Communication and Intellectual Toolkit. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases, cocurricular experiences.
A typical first semester Astronomy & Physics schedule looks like:
- Calculus course
- Astronomy course
- Physics course
- Writing course
- Optional add-on: First-Year Seminar
Please see below for more detailed suggestions on each course:
Course #1: Calculus Course
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.
- If you have advanced credit (such as AP or IB scores) that fulfills CAS MA 123, take the next course in the sequence, CAS MA 124 Calculus 2.
- 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.
- If you have potential advanced credit in calculus, but don’t have the scores back yet, register with cautious optimism. If you feel confident you did well on the exams, register as if you will receive the corresponding credit. Once you know your scores, you can revise your schedule, if need be.
Course #2: Astronomy Course
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. You may take these courses in any order, so register for AS 202 if you’re starting in the fall semester and AS 203 if you’re starting in the spring. Please note: 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.
Course #3: Physics Course
Your third course should be a physics class. The level 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) – PY 251 requires a strong foundation in calculus. You are therefore eligible to take PY 251 if you already have advanced placement or external credit equivalent to CAS MA 123 Calculus 1 and if you take CAS MA 124 Calculus 2 in the same semester as or prior to taking PY 251. If you do not have advanced placement or external credit equivalent to MA 123, or if you are registering in the spring semester, please see the second physics course option below.
- Please note: If you already have advanced credit for Physics 1 (PY 105 or PY 211) and/or Physics 2 (PY 106 or PY 212) and you have advanced credit for MA 123 Calculus 1, you are still encouraged to take PY 251.
- CAS PY 211 General Physics 1 (offered either semester) – This is a calculus-based introduction to the basic physics principles, and it is ideal for many astronomy majors. Technically, you must have credit for MA 123 Calculus 1 and you must take MA 124 Calculus 2 at the same time as or prior to taking PY 211. 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 to Calculus 1, you can likely still take it, but you will need permission. Please register for PY 211 and then email your advisor to explain – they can help connect you with the Physics department to petition for instructor permission. You will most likely be approved to take MA 123 and PY 211 at the same time.
Your fourth course should be a writing course: CAS PY 195: Freshman Seminar for Physicists (offered fall only, 1 unit) – Optional Seminar where freshman physics majors learn successful strategies for studying physics and become familiar with BU’s policies, procedures, resources, and extracurricular activities. Exploration of research and career opportunities through invited speakers, book discussions, and laboratory tours. -OR- First-Year Seminar: FY 101 (1 unit) – Optional FY101 is a one-unit, low stress, non-academic class that serves as a semester-long introduction to BU and college life. FY101 helps you get a head start on making connections at BU. Each section is taught by a student peer mentor and a staff instructor. -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 they will love. Seminars are offered in various fields of interest and include guest speakers from different industries. If you are interested in the Core Curriculum, we recommend registering for CAS CC 101 for your writing course (see above in Course #4). There are additional natural science Core courses offered; however, we do not typically recommend these for natural science majors who are already taking a lab course this semester. If you have questions about completing additional Core courses beyond CAS CC 101, please talk about this with your academic advisor! Find out more about the Core Curriculum, the Hub, and registration here. Ready to register? Let’s go – click here! For more information about your specific major requirements click here!Course #4: Writing Course
Optional Course #5. First-Year Seminar
Interested in Pursuing the Core?