Minors offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy

Current Purdue students wishing to add and ASTR or PHYS minors should meet with their current academic advisor to discuss a plan of study to incorporate the minor courses as well as their pre-requisites. If that is something attainable then the current advisor will submit a CCR (Curricula Change Request) to add the minor.

Astronomy Minor

The astronomy minor provides a strong background in astronomy and astrophysics. This program is administered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The following courses describe the minimum coursework necessary to earn a minor in astronomy. All courses must be taken at Purdue University. In addition, the GPA over all Physics (PHYS) and Astronomy (ASTR) courses must be 2.0 or higher. No course may be taken pass/fail.

Relevant prerequisites:

Before undertaking this minor, the student must establish the prerequisites for the required minor courses.

Math: MA 16200(16600)
Physics: PHYS 17200, 27200 (24100)

Astronomy Minor Course Requirements: 15-16 credits

PHYS 34200 Modern Physics will not be taught on or after Fall 2024. Instead, students should register for the new course: PHYS 34202 Introduction to Quantum Science. All of the prerequisites/corequisites are the same as for PHYS 34200, and will meet the same requirements for the ASTR/PHYS minors as PHYS 34200.

34202 (Introduction to Quantum Science) (3 cr.), or PHYS 34200 (Modern Physics) (3 cr.) or PHYS 34400 (Introduction to Quantum Science - for PHYS majors only) (4 cr.)
ASTR 36300 (Solar System Astronomy) (3 cr.) Typically offered Fall
ASTR 36400 (Stars and Galaxies) (3 cr.) Typically offered Spring
ASTR 37000 (Cosmology) (3 cr.) Typically offered Fall

Physics/Astronomy Electives Requirement (3 cr.):

Three credits are chosen from:

PHYS/ASTR 56000 (Stellar Evolution) (3 cr.);
PHYS/ASTR 56100 (Galaxies and Large Scale Structure) (3 cr.);
PHYS/ASTR 56200 (Introduction to High Energy Astrophysics) (3 cr.);
PHYS/ASTR 56300 (Astroparticle Physics) (3 cr.);
PHYS/ASTR 56700 (Observational Techniques In Astronomy) (3 cr.);
or an unapproved PHYS/ASTR course at or above the 40000 level.

Physics Minor

The physics minor provides a strong background in physics for students majoring in some other discipline at Purdue University.

To qualify for the minor, the following classes must be completed at Purdue University. In addition, the GPA over all physics (PHYS) courses must be 2.0 or higher. No course may be taken pass/fail.

Relevant prerequisites:

Before undertaking this minor, the student must establish the prerequisites for the required minor courses.

Math: MA 16200(16600), MA 26100 (27101)
Physics: PHYS 17200, 27200 (24100)

Physics Minor Course Requirements: 10-11 credits

PHYS 34000 (Modern Physics Laboratory) (1 cr.)
PHYS 34200 (Modern Physics) (3 cr.) or 34202 (Introduction to Quantum Science) (3 cr.)

Physics Electives Requirement (6 cr.):

Six additional credits at the 30000 level or higher in physics. Except PHYS 31700, PHYS 32300, PHYS 32400, PHYS 39000, PHYS 49000, PHYS 59000 or PHYS 59300.

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2024 11:15 AM