2013-2014

Physics and Astronomy, Bachelor of Science

Department of Physics and Astronomy

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

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.

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 57-58 units of major requirements
  • Be aware that you may not use courses with either a PHY or AST prefix to satisfy liberal studies requirements
  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

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
Progression Plan Link Not Available

Major Requirements

    • *PHY 171 is recommended in consultation with your advisor.

    • Select one of the following capstone options:

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Please note that you may not count more than one grade of "D" in a physics or astronomy course toward the major requirements for this degree.

  • MAT 136, MAT 137, MAT 238, MAT 239, and PHY 301 are not required for this degree, but are prerequisites for other courses. (You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.