Minor in Astronomy
The Minor in Astronomy, offered jointly by the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences and the Department of Physics, covers the observational and theoretical foundations of astronomy. The minor requires seven subjects as follows:
| Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics | ||
| 8.03 | Physics III | 12 |
| 8.282[J] | Introduction to Astronomy | 9 |
| 18.03 | Differential Equations 1 | 12 |
| Astrophysics | ||
| 8.284 | Modern Astrophysics | 12 |
| or 8.286 | The Early Universe | |
| Planetary Astronomy | ||
| Select one of the following: | 12 | |
| Our Space Odyssey | ||
| Essentials of Planetary Science | ||
| Extrasolar Planets: Physics and Detection Techniques | ||
| Instrumentation and Observations | ||
| Select one of the following: | 12-18 | |
| Observational Techniques of Optical Astronomy | ||
| Space Systems Engineering | ||
| Space Systems Development | ||
| Independent Project in Astronomy | ||
| Select one of the following: | 9-12 | |
| Undergraduate Research | ||
or 12.UR | Undergraduate Research | |
| Undergraduate Physics Thesis | ||
or 12.THU | Undergraduate Thesis | |
| Astronomy Field Camp | ||
| Total Units | 78-87 | |
| 1 | 18.032 Differential Equations is also an acceptable alternative. |
A maximum of three subjects can count toward the astronomy minor, and a major or another minor. Further information on the minor can be obtained from Professor Michael A. McDonald, 37-664B, 617-324-1075.
