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Concentration Requirements

Details of the Astrophysics concentration from the FAS Handbook for studentsexternal link.

Astrophysics

 

The concentration in Astrophysics introduces students to a broad range of phenomena through a program of both observational and theoretical courses. This program builds from a foundation of modern physics to a general account of the known contents of the universe. Astronomy 16 and 17 provide a complete introductory survey to the major fields of astrophysics. The research tutorial, Astronomy 98, places students in close contact with the wide range of research activities at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to pursue research projects (conducted under the mentorship of members of the faculty), which culminate in their junior papers and optional senior theses. Since the emphasis of astrophysics is on the explanation of phenomena in the universe in terms of physical theory, the initial stages of a concentration in Astrophysics closely resemble those of the Physics concentration, and the courses offered by the Department of Astronomy are readily accessible to any student with a good physics background. Our concentration offers avenues similar to Physics for future employment and research opportunities.

Astrophysics offers joint concentrations with other departments. In general, such concentrations involve meeting requirements for honors candidates in both fields. Joint concentrations combining Astrophysics with either Physicsexternal link or with Earth and Planetary Sciencesexternal link are particularly encouraged, although various other combinations are certainly possible. Students interested in joint concentrations are encouraged to contact the Director of Undergraduate studies, Professor Charles Alcock, at 617-495-7387 or calcock@cfa.harvard.edu

REQUIREMENTS

12 courses (48 credits)

  1. Required courses:
    1. Astronomy 16 and 17 (2 courses; see 7. below).
    2. Physics 15a, 15b, and 15c (3 courses; see 7. below).
    3. Mathematics 21a and 21b, or Mathematics 22a and 22b, or Mathematics 25a and 25b, or Applied Mathematics 21a and 21b (2 courses; see 7. below).
    4. Astronomy 98: Research Tutorial, generally taken in the fall semester of the junior year (1 course).
    5. Two additional courses in astronomy (2 courses; see 7.D. below).
    6. Two additional courses in astronomy or related fields to complete the requirement of 12 courses (2 courses; see 7.E. below).
       
  2. Tutorial: Required, see 1.D. above.
     
  3. Honors Eligibility: Students who wish to be considered for honors must satisfy requirements 1.E. and 1.F. by completing Astronomy 99 and/or courses at the 100 level or above. None of the courses satisfying 1.E. or 1.F. may be taken Pass/Fail.

    Courses that meet this requirement include:
    1. Astronomy 99, a year-long 8-credit course leading to the senior thesis. 
    2. Any 100-level or 200-level course in astronomy.
    3. Physics 143a, 143b, 151, 153, or 181.
    4. Earth and Planetary Sciences 120, 141,142, or 160.
    5. Applied Mathematics 104, 105, 111, or 115.
       
  4. Thesis: Optional. See item 3 above.
     
  5. Joint concentrations: Joint concentrations are permitted to enable students to pursue study at the interface of Astrophysics and another field such as Physics or Earth and Planetary Sciences. Students must meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to develop the plan of study.
     
  6. General Examination: None.
     
  7. Other information:
    1. Astronomy 16 and 17: Together these two courses provide a complete introductory survey of astrophysics using single-variable calculus and freshman mechanics. These courses are not sequential and thus may be taken in either order.
    2. Physics: Physical Sciences 12a and 12b may be substituted for Physics 15a and 15b provided students follow with Physics 15c. Qualified students may replace Physics 15a with Physics 16 or 19, to be followed by Physics 15b and 15c.
    3. Math: Math Ma, Mb, 1a, and 1b normally do not count toward concentration credit.
    4. Students may count one course selected from the following list for concentration credit, provided the course is completed prior to enrolling in other courses offered by the Department of Astronomy.
      1. Astronomy 1
      2. Astronomy 2
      3. Astronomy 5
      4. a freshman seminar in Astronomy, or
      5. a course offered in the Science of the Physical Universe category of the Program in General Education that focuses on astronomy.
    5. Related fields: Includes all departmental courses offered in physics, earth and planetary sciences, mathematics, and applied mathematics that count towards the respective concentration requirements. Appropriate courses in applied physics, computer science, chemistry, engineering sciences, mathematics, and statistics may be counted for concentration credit with permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
    6. Graduate Study: Students considering graduate study should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies to prepare a study plan to meet this goal.
    7. Pass/Fail: At most one of the courses counted for concentration credit may be taken Pass/Fail.

ADVISING

 

Upon joining the concentration, students are assigned a faculty adviser; students continue with the same adviser throughout their three years, unless there is a particular reason for making a change. Students meet with their adviser at least once per term and at other times as needed. For up-to-date information on advising in Astrophysics, please see the Advising Programs Office websiteexternal link.

RESOURCES

 

The Department of Astronomy is located within the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, which also contains the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and Harvard College Observatory, at 60 Garden Street and 160 Concord Avenue, Cambridge. The Center for Astrophysics has a large staff of scientists and is among the largest institutions devoted to astronomy and astrophysics in the world. A very broad range of astrophysical research is conducted by the many scientists at the Center, in its divisions of Atomic and Molecular Physics; High-Energy Astrophysics; Optical and Infrared Astronomy; Radio and Geoastronomy; Theoretical Astrophysics; and Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences. Scientists in these divisions encourage students to participate in their research. Full-time summer and part-time academic year employment is often available for Harvard undergraduates at the Center; please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for more information.

Through the Center for Astrophysics students may make use of a wide range of observational, experimental, and theoretical facilities. These include two 6.5-meter Magellan Telescopes in Chile; the Multiple-Mirror Telescope and the 1.5-m and 1.2-m reflecting telescopes of the Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins, Arizona; and the Submillimeter Array on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. In addition, students may participate in the analysis of data from a number of national and international observatories, including X-ray data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, ultraviolet and optical data from the Hubble Space Telescope, solar data from SOHO, radio data from the Very Large Array and the VLBI network, and infrared data from the Spitzer Space Telescope.