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Major Program in Astronomy/Planetary Sciences Acting Chairperson: Janos Kirz Director of Undergraduate Studies: Peter B. Kahn Astronomy Coordinator: Deane Peterson Undergraduate Secretary: Elaine Larsen Office: P-110 Graduate Physics Phone: 632-8100 E-mail: dpeterson@astro.sunysb.edu Web address: http://insti.physics.sunysb.edu/astro/ Minors of particular interest to students majoring in astonomy: electrical engineering (ESE), electronic, optical, and magnetic materials (EOM), mathematics (MAT), optics (OPT), science and engineering (LSE) Astronomy is the scientific discipline dedicated to the study of everything in the universe outside the Earth’s atmosphere. The undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy/planetary sciences (AST) prepares a student for graduate and professional work. Graduates with a degree in astronomy teach in secondary schools, work in academic, government, and industrial laboratories, and teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. Course requirements for the B.S. program are listed below and are summarized in the accompanying chart. When the student declares the AST major, the Director of Undergraduate Studies assigns a faculty advisor to the student. This advisor will assist the student in the selection of courses. Students should consult frequently with their faculty advisors regarding their progress and regarding appropriate science courses. Because the position of the scientist in society is responsible and complex, the student is cautioned to pay careful attention to general education in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Courses in Astronomy Requirements for the Major in Astronomy/Planetary Sciences The major in astronomy leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. All courses offered for the major must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. Completion of the major requires 60-63 credits. Required Departmental Courses: AST 203 Astronomy Three courses chosen from the following: AST 341 Stars and Radiation AST 342 The Interstellar Medium AST 343 Galaxies AST 344 Cosmology At least six credits from additional AST courses numbered 200 or higher (except AST 248). Up to three credits of AST 287, 447, and 487 may be used toward this requirement Required Physics Courses: PHY 131, 132 Classical Physics I, II (See note 1 below) PHY 251/252 Modern Physics with Laboratory PHY 306 Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Mechanics At least 12 credits from approved PHY courses numbered 300 or higher, except PHY 306 (PHY 301, 302, 303, 308, and 352 recommended) Mathematics Requirements: MAT 131, 132 Calculus I, II (See note 2 below) One of the following: MAT 203 Calculus III with Applications MAT 205 Calculus III MAT 211 Introduction to Linear Algebra AMS 261 Applied Calculus III One of the following: MAT 303 Calculus IV with Applications MAT 305 Calculus IV AMS 361 Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations Upper-Division Writing Requirement: All students majoring in astronomy/ planetary sciences must submit two papers (term papers, laboratory reports, or independent research papers) to the astronomy coordinator for department evaluation by the end of the junior year. If this evaluation is satisfactory, the student will have fulfilled the upper-division writing requirement. Notes: The following physics courses are alternatives to PHY 131, 132: PHY 125, 126, 127 or 141, 142. The following alternate beginning calculus sequences may be substituted for MAT 131, 132 in major requirements or prerequisites: 125, 126, 127 or 141, 142. Equivalency for MAT courses achieved by earning the appropriate score on the Mathematics Placement Exam-ination will be accepted as fulfillment of the requirement without the necessity of substituting other credits. For detailed information about the various calculus sequences, see the alphabetical listing for Mathematics, especially “Beginning Mathematics Courses,” and the course descriptions. Honors Program in Astronomy/ Planetary Sciences Students in the astronomy/planetary sciences major who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 through the junior year in courses required for the major may apply to the department to become candidates for departmental honors in astronomy/planetary sciences. Candidates for honors in astronomy/planetary sciences must include a sequence of mathematics, physics, or engineering courses approved by the student’s advisor following petition by the student. In addition to the academic program, the student must complete an honors thesis while enrolled in AST 447 or 487. The thesis is evaluated by a committee composed of the student’s advisor and two other science faculty members including one from outside of the department. If the honors program is completed with distinction and the student has maintained a minimum 3.3 grade point average in all coursework in natural sciences and mathematics, honors are conferred.

Faculty Aaron Evans, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Hawaii: Astronomy. Kenneth M. Lanzetta, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh: Astronomy. James M. Lattimer, Professor, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin: Astronomy. Jack J. Lissauer, Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley: Astronomy. Deane M. Peterson, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Harvard University: Astronomy. Michal Simon, Professor, Ph.D., Cornell University: Astronomy. Philip M. Solomon, Professor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin: Astronomy. Frederick M. Walter, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley: Astronomy. Ralph Wijers, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Amsterdam: Theoretical high energy astrophysics. Amos Yahil, Professor, Ph.D., California Institute of Technology: Astronomy. Teaching Assistants Estimated number: 5