Description and Roadmap
For academic year 2024/2025
B.A. in Physics and Astrophysics
The B.A. in Physics and Astrophysics is designed for people interested in physics, astrophysics, and science in general, but who are not seeking a career in scientific research. Students can use the flexibility within the program to build a broad educational portfolio across disciplines, including choosing minors or an additional major in other areas, such as management, law, education, communications, journalism, economics, history, political science, etc. This program is an excellent pre-professional education for careers within, for example, teaching, medicine, patent law, and science journalism.
The B.A. in Physics and Astrophysics major requires 59 credit hours of course work[1]. All electives should be approved in consultation with the Physics and Astronomy faculty advisor.
Requirements:
| MATH: 1512, 1522, 2531, 316 | [15 credits] |
| PHYS: 1310, 1320, 2310, 2415, 330 | [15 credits] |
| PHYSL: 1310L, 1320L, 2310L, 306L, 307L, 493L | [12 credits] |
| ASTR: 2110, 2115 | [6 credits] |
| ASTRL: 2110L, 2115L | [2 credits] |
In addition, students should complete 9 credits of electives of STEM courses (excluding problems or research courses), six credits of which should be Upper Division.
B.A. Physics and Astrophysics – Roadmap
For academic year 2024/2025
| Semester 1 | Credits | Semester 2 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 1512 (Calculus I) | 4 | MATH 1522 (Calculus II) | 4 | |
| PHYS 1310+1310L (Physics I + lab) | 3+1 | PHYS 1320+1320L (Physics II + lab) | 3+1 | |
| ASTR 2110+2110L (General Astronomy I + lab) | 3+1 | |||
| Semester 3 | Credits | Semester 4 | Credits | |
| MATH 2531 (Calculus III) | 4 | PHYS 2415 (Computational Physics) | 3 | |
| PHYS 2310+2310L (Physics III + lab) | 3+1 | PHYS 330 (Intro to Modern Physics) | 3 | |
| ASTR 2115+2115L (General Astronomy II + lab) | 3+1 | MATH 316 (ODEs) | 3 | |
| Semester 5 | Credits | Semester 6 | Credits | |
| PHYS 306L (Electronics Lab) | 3 | PHYS 307L (Modern Physics Lab) | 3 | |
| STEM Any-level Elective | 3 | STEM Upper-level Elective | 3 | |
| Semester 7 | Credits | Semester 8 | Credits | |
| PHYS 493L (Contemporary Physics Lab) | 3 | STEM Upper-level Elective | 3 | |
In addition to the program-specific requirements outlined here, all undergraduate students are required to fulfill other general undergraduate degree requirements for UNM and the College of Arts and Sciences to earn a minimum of 120 credits, including UNM's General Education Program requirements.
In addition to the program-specific requirements outlined here, all undergraduate students are required to fulfill other general undergraduate degree requirements for UNM and the College of Arts and Sciences to earn a minimum of 120 credits, including UNM's General Education Program requirements.
