Academic Catalog - 2017-2018

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics and Astronomy, Bachelor of Science


Academic Information

This degree provides opportunities for focused study and opens doors toward a more complex understanding of the universe. This major certainly offers a wider scope than any other major, from the Big Bang to the Way Things Work, to the very center of the atom.

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Academic Catalog - 2017-2018

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics and Astronomy, Bachelor of Science


Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Astronomy?

Have you ever thought about the very big things-like the universe? Or the very small, like the inside of an atom? If you ponder the big questions, and look for patterns in nature's behavior, then maybe you're an astrophysicist in the making. You can find out at Northern Arizona University.

Here, you will be steeped in the sciences of physics and astronomy. Physics uses mathematics to describe why and how things work, and astronomy uses the laws of physics to reveal the nature of celestial objects. You will be encouraged to think independently, to join faculty research projects, and will benefit from the university's array of high-tech instruments and proximity to world-class Lowell Observatory. If you want to search for planets outside the solar system or learn how a laser actually works, you'll receive the guidance you need in NAU's merged major in Physics and Astronomy.

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Research assistant
  • Telescope operator
  • Industrial researcher
  • Scientific programmer
  • Defense industry team member

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • Planetary scientist
  • Researcher
  • University professor
  • Optical engineer

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Academic Catalog - 2017-2018

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics and Astronomy, Bachelor of Science


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2017-2018

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics and Astronomy, Bachelor of Science


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 239
Research Optional
University Honors Program Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan

Student Learning Outcomes

The B.S. in Physics and Astronomy program is designed to prepare students for a career in a technical field or for graduate studies in physics, astronomy, or planetary sciences. 
 
Physics Content
Students will have an understanding of the laws of physics in the areas of:

 
Astronomy Content
Students will be able to apply the laws of physics in order to understand the: 
Laboratory Skills
Students will: 
Computational Skills
Students will: 
Problem Solving Skills
Students will develop problem-solving capacities. In particular, a student will be able to: 
Communication Skills
Students will be able to:

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Academic Catalog - 2017-2018

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics and Astronomy, Bachelor of Science


Details

Major Requirements
General Electives
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2017-2018

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics and Astronomy, Bachelor of Science


Campus Availability

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