Housed in the Department of Physics and Astronomy within the College of Arts and Sciences, the B.S. in Astronomy allows students to engage in hands-on experiences with instruments that unveil the secrets of the skies.
Embry-Riddle’s Prescott, Arizona, campus is located in one of the world’s densest concentrations of certified dark-sky communities, with more than 275 clear nights each year for observation and research. Its high-altitude location, elevation, and favorable weather provide excellent viewing conditions and allow students to take full advantage of on-campus equipment to explore the night sky.
The campus is home to the mile-high Prescott Observatory Complex, featuring facilities that include 20-inch and 16-inch optical telescopes, as well as optical and radio observatories.
As one of only a handful of Astronomy degree programs in the Western United States, the program offers immersive undergraduate research opportunities, where students work directly with faculty on projects funded by NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Space Telescope Science Institute. Faculty frequently analyze data from advanced facilities such as the James Webb Space Telescope and X-ray satellites, including those used in the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM).
Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
Apply data derived from conducted experiments and prevailing models in astronomy to real systems using current techniques.
Apply mathematics, science, and contemporary issues to solve scientific problems.
Communicate astronomical results to astronomers and non-astronomers using varied methods including giving talks, writing technical reports, and writing papers for publication.
Describe the current state of knowledge regarding the astronomical and physical universe.
Make professional and ethical decisions.
Operate astronomical telescopes and detectors to obtain scientific data on astronomical objects.
Prescott Program Requirements
General Education Requirements
38
Core Requirements
67
Technical Electives
9
Open Electives
6
Total Credits
120
Program Details
The Bachelor of Science in Astronomy program requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. The program may be completed in eight semesters, or four years, assuming appropriate background and full-time enrollment. Students pursuing this undergraduate degree must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.00 for all work completed at the University. In addition, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA for all ASTR and PHYS courses. The courses necessary to earn this degree are listed below.
Students should be aware that many courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites. To support success in advanced coursework, students are strongly encouraged to earn a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses. The program includes a two-course senior research thesis sequence as part of the degree requirements. Students may not pursue both the Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and the Bachelor of Science in Space Physics; however, the first three semesters of both programs share a common curriculum, allowing students to transfer between programs during that period without loss of credit.
