Apr 03, 2025

Fall 2025 Undergraduate Catalog

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Fall 2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Sample Course Sequence for the Major in Astronomy/Planetary Sciences

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FRESHMAN

FALL

First Year Seminar 101 Credits: 1 credit
WRT 101 - Introductory Writing Workshop 3 credits,
AST 100 - Astronomy Today 1 credit
PHY 131 - Classical Physics I 3 credits
PHY 133 - Classical Physics Laboratory I 1 credit
OR
PHY 141 - Classical Physics I: Honors 3 credits
PHY 133 Classical Physics Laboratory I Credits: 1 credit
MAT 131 - Calculus I 4 credits
OR
MAT 141 Credits: 4 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits

Total: 16 Credits

SPRING

First Year Seminar 102 Credits: 1 credit
WRT 102 - Intermediate Writing Workshop 3 credits,
PHY 132 - Classical Physics II 3 credits
PHY 134 - Classical Physics Laboratory II 1 credit
OR
PHY 142 - Classical Physics II: Honors 3 credits
PHY 134 Classical Physics Laboratory II Credits: 1 credit
MAT 132 - Calculus II 4 credits
OR
MAT 142 Credits: 4 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits

Total: 18 Credits

SOPHOMORE

FALL

PHY 251 - Modern Physics 3 credits
PHY 252 - Modern Physics Laboratory 1 credit
MAT 203 - Calculus III with Applications 4 credits
OR
MAT 307 - Multivariable Calculus with Linear Algebra 4 credits
OR
AMS 261 - Applied Calculus III 4 credits
AST 205 - Introduction to Planetary Sciences 3 credits
PHY 277 - Computation for Physics and Astronomy 3 credits
Upper-division SBC Credits: 3 credits

Total: 16-17 Credits

SPRING

PHY 300 - Waves and Optics 4 credits
MAT 303 - Calculus IV with Applications 4 credits
OR
MAT 308 - Differential Equations with Linear Algebra 4 credits
OR
AMS 361 - Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations 4 credits
AST 200 - Current Astronomical Research at Stony Brook 1 credit
AST 203 - Astronomy 4 credits
Upper-division SBC Credits: 3 credits

Total: 14-15 Credits

JUNIOR

FALL

AST 341 - Stars and Radiation 3 credits
OR
AST 443 - Observational Techniques in Astronomy 4 credits
MAT elective Credits: 3 credits
PHY 301 - Electromagnetic Theory I 3 credits
PHY 303 - Mechanics 3 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits

Total: 15-16 Credits

SPRING

AST 390 - Special Topics in Astrophysics and Cosmology 6 credits under different course topics.
OR
AST 346 - Galaxies 3 credits
PHY 308 - Quantum Physics 3 credits
PHY 306 - Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Mechanics 3 credits
Upper-division elective Credits: 3 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits

Total: 15 Credits

SENIOR

FALL

AST 443 - Observational Techniques in Astronomy 4 credits
OR
AST 347 - Cosmology 3 credits
Upper-division SBC Credits: 3 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits

Total: 15-16 Credits

SPRING

AST 346 - Galaxies 3 credits
OR
AST 390 - Special Topics in Astrophysics and Cosmology 6 credits under different course topics.
Upper-division SBC Credits: 3 credits
Upper-division Elective Credits: 3 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits
SBC Credits: 3 credits

Total: 15 Credits