Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Please visit the Yale College Office of Admissions Web site for detailed information about the admissions process and application. Below is a description of the degrees offered in Astronomy.

B.A. Degree Program in Astronomy

The B.A. degree program is designed for students who may not intend to do graduate work in astronomy but who are interested in the subject as a basis for a liberal education or as a background for a career in medicine, teaching, journalism, business, law, or government. It allows greater flexibility in course selection than the B.S. program because the emphasis is on breadth of knowledge rather than on specialization. The prerequisites for the B.A. program are: either PHYS 150a and 151b, or 180a and 181b, or 200a and 201b; and MATH 112a or b and 115a or b. Ten term courses are required beyond these prerequisites, including the senior requirement. Five courses in astronomy must be completed, four of which must be numbered 200 or above, including ASTR 255a or 355b; ASTR 310a, or both ASTR 210b and 220a (ASTR 170a may substitute for 220a in the latter case); and a senior project or essay (ASTR 490a or 491b). Also required are MATH 120a or b and four additional courses in the natural or applied or mathematical sciences, at least two of which must have college-level prerequisites; these may include additional astronomy courses. The senior requirement consists of a senior essay or independent research project carried out for one term under the supervision of a faculty member (ASTR 490a or 491b).

Before entering the junior year, the student should consult the director of undergraduate studies.

B.S. Degree Program in Astronomy and Physics

This program is designed to provide a strong background in astronomy and in the relevant physics for students interested in graduate study or a career in astronomy, physics, or a related science.

Prerequisite to the B.S. degree program is work in fundamental physics and mathematics. A student planning to major in Astronomy and Physics should complete this work by the end of the sophomore year. The prerequisites for the B.S. program are: one of the introductory physics sequences (PHYS 180a, 181b, or 200a, 201b, or 260a, 261b); one of the physics laboratory sequences (PHYS 165La, 166Lb or 205La or Lb, 206La or Lb); and the mathematics sequence MATH 112a or b, 115a or b, and 120a or b. ASTR 155a may be substituted for one term of the physics laboratory sequence.

Beyond the prerequisites, twelve term courses are required in astronomy, physics, and mathematics. In astronomy, the student should complete at least six courses including ASTR 255a or 355b; ASTR 310a; ASTR 320b or 343b, or a more advanced astrophysics course with the permission of the director of undergraduate studies; a two-term senior project (ASTR 490a and 491b); and one additional astronomy course numbered 200 or above. In physics, the student should complete at least four courses numbered 400 or above, normally PHYS 401a or 410a, 420a, 430b, and either 439a or 440b; the sequence PHYS 401a, 402b, 440b, and 441a may also fulfill this requirement. With the permission of the director of undergraduate studies, ASTR 440a may be substituted for PHYS 430b. In mathematics, the student should complete one course in mathematics numbered 200 or above, or PHYS 301a or ENAS 194a or b; and either an additional course in mathematics numbered 200 or above or a course in statistics or computing. The senior requirement consists of an independent research project in astronomy carried out for two terms under the supervision of a faculty member (ASTR 490a and 491b).

Before entering the junior year, the student should arrange a specific program of study in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies in Astronomy, whose approval of the program is needed, and should then also consult the director of undergraduate studies in Physics.