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CSH 2024 Physics and Astrophysics

The Astrophysics program focuses on the theoretical, observational and experimental study of the Universe.  Emphasis is placed on the universe on its largest scales (cosmology), its most visible constituents (stars), and on analysis of modern astronomical data sets.  Undergraduates also have the opportunity to work with faculty in their research.

Program Requirements Quarter Hours
Liberal Studies Requirements 76
Major Requirements 96
Open Electives 20
Total hours required 192

Students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate critical thinking, quantitative, and mathematical skills required to answer questions about the behavior of the universe.
  • Create and interpret multiple representations of astrophysics concepts through the use of mathematics, computational code, computer simulations, as well as written, graphical, and pictorial descriptions.
  • Design, execute, and analyze observations to test astrophysics theories and hypotheses.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding of astrophysics concepts to scientists and non-scientists.

College Core Requirements

Modern Language Requirements

Students who intend to graduate with the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree will be required to demonstrate competence in a modern language equivalent to the proficiency attained from one year of college-level language study. Such competence may be demonstrated in one of several ways:

  • completing the last course in the fourth-year high school sequence of any language
  • completing the last course in the first-year college sequence of any language
  • completing a college course beyond the first-year level in any language
  • achieving a satisfactory score on any of the Modern Language placement examinations administered at DePaul
  • achieving a satisfactory rating in a proficiency examination accepted by DePaul
  • achieving a score of 3 or higher on the Advance Placement (AP) test for any language
  • achieving a score of 5 or higher in the Language B assessment from a Standard or Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) program
  • achieving a satisfactory score on the CLEP examination

Please note: Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Modern Language Requirement.

For further information regarding satisfactory scores and possible credit from the DePaul placement, AP, CLEP, or IB examinations, please contact Student Records.

Students who complete an Inter-College Transfer (ICT) to the College of Science and Health will abide by the College of Science and Health Modern Language Requirement in place on the effective date of the ICT.

BA students who meet College requirements and wish to pursue further work in the language may elect the “Modern Language Option” of the Liberal Studies Program. While Bachelor of Science (BS) students are not required to demonstrate competency in a modern language, the “Modern Language Option” is available to them for language study at any level. Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Modern Language Option.

Major Declaration Requirements

All students in the College are required to declare a major field prior to beginning their junior year. After researching College programs, the student should declare a major field by visiting Campus Connection and using the Declarations and Inter-College Transfer tool. The student will then be assigned a faculty advisor or staff advisor in the department or program and should make an appointment to see that advisor at his or her earliest convenience.

To change major fields, or to declare a minor or concentration, the student must use the Declarations and Inter-College Transfer tool described above. However, for the purpose of exploring the possibility of changing a major field, the student should consult an academic advisor in the College or an academic advisor in the Office for Academic Advising Support.

Liberal Studies Requirements

Honors program requirements can be found in the individual Colleges & Schools section of the University Catalog. Select the appropriate college or school, followed by Undergraduate Academics and scroll down.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year ProgramHours
Chicago Quarter
LSP 110
DISCOVER CHICAGO
or EXPLORE CHICAGO
4
Focal Point
LSP 112 FOCAL POINT SEMINAR 4
Writing
WRD 103 COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I 1 4
WRD 104 COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC II 1 4
Quantitative Reasoning
Not Required
Sophomore Year
Race, Power, and Resistance
LSP 200 SEMINAR ON RACE, POWER, AND RESISTANCE 4
Junior Year
Experiential Learning
Required 4
Senior Year
Capstone
PHY 330 SENIOR CAPSTONE PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1, 2 4
1

Students must earn a C- or better in this course.

2

Students with a primary major in Physics are required to complete the Capstone offered by the Physics department. Students double majoring or pursuing dual degrees with the primary major or primary degree in Physics are required to complete the Capstone offered by the Physics department. Physics students in the University Honors Program shall take the University Honors Capstone. They are not expected to take both the Honors Capstone and the primary major or primary degree Capstone.​

Learning Domains

Arts and Literature (AL)

  • 3 Courses Required

Historical Inquiry (HI)

  • 2 Courses Required

Math and Computing (MC)

  • Not Required

Philosophical Inquiry (PI)

  • 2 Courses Required

Religious Dimensions (RD)

  • 2 Courses Required

Scientific Inquiry (SI)

  • Not required

Social, Cultural, and Behavioral Inquiry (SCBI)

  • 3 Courses Required

Notes

Courses offered in the student's primary major cannot be taken to fulfill LSP Domain requirements. If students double major, LSP Domain courses may double count for both LSP credit and the second major. Students who choose to take an experiential learning course offered by the major may count it either as a general elective or the Experiential Learning requirement.

In meeting learning domain requirements, no more than one course that is outside the student’s major and is cross-listed with a course within the student’s major, can be applied to count for LSP domain credit. This policy does not apply to those who are pursuing a double major or earning BFA or BM degrees.

Major Requirements

Physics
Course Title Quarter Hours
PHY 170UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I4
PHY 171UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II4
PHY 172UNIVERSITY PHYSICS III4
PHY 270UNIVERSITY PHYSICS IV4
PHY 300METHODS OF COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS I4
PHY 301METHODS OF COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS II4
PHY 330SENIOR CAPSTONE PHYSICAL SCIENCE (Liberal Studies Program Capstone)4
Mathematics
Course Title Quarter Hours
Select one of the following three-course Calculus sequences:12
Sequence One
CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS I
CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS II
CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS III
Sequence Two
CALCULUS I
CALCULUS II
CALCULUS III
Sequence Three
CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS I
CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS II
CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS III
Additional Math Course
MAT 260MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS I4
Course Title Quarter Hours
PHY 310MECHANICS I4
PHY 320ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I4
PHY 360QUANTUM MECHANICS I4
PHY 361QUANTUM MECHANICS II4
PHY 373STAR FORMATION4
PHY 374STELLAR ASTROPHYSICS4
PHY 375INTRODUCTION TO COSMOLOGY4
PHY 376ASTRONOMICAL DATA ANALYSIS4
PHY 380EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS I4
One PHY Elective Required4
THE SUN & ITS PLANETS
EXPLORING OTHER WORLDS
FRONTIERS OF THE UNIVERSE
ELECTRONICS
For additional options, see Advisor
Course Title Quarter Hours
MAT 261MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS II4
Select one year-long sequence of courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or computer science from the following sequences:12
Biology Sequence
GENERAL BIOLOGY I FOR SCIENCE MAJORS
GENERAL BIOLOGY II FOR SCIENCE MAJORS
GENERAL BIOLOGY III FOR SCIENCE MAJORS
Chemistry Sequence
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
GENERAL CHEMISTRY III
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III
Mathematics Sequence: Select three 300-level sequenced courses as approved by departmental advisor
Computer Science Sequence: Select any one year-long three-course sequence of CSC courses as approved by departmental faculty advisor

Open Electives

Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours. 

Students are advised to talk with their advisor before double majoring, because some major combinations are prohibited.  No more than 50% of the credits that apply to one major may be drawn from another major.