Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics: Astrophysics Concentration, B.S.


About the Physics: Astrophysics Concentration Bachelor’s Program


The astrophysics concentration is a variation of the professional concentration as is intended for students who have a particular interest in astronomy and astrophysics. In addition to preparing students for possible employment paths associated with the professional concentration, the astrophysics concentrations will prepare students to pursue graduate study in astronomy or astrophysics. This concentration has the same mathematics requirements as the professional option and very similar physics course requirements, but it also includes 17 hours of ASTR courses in addition to PHYS 3302  and PHYS 4312 . Majors in this concentration are strongly encouraged to minor in mathematics and devote time to undergraduate research.

Communication Literacy Requirement. Students attending Texas Tech University for the first time in the Fall 2017 term or later will complete a Communication Literacy requirement in their program(s) of study.

Texas Tech University’s transition from the Writing Intensive requirement to the Communication Literacy requirement signals the university’s awareness that in addition to the fundamental role that writing plays in enabling students to explore, develop, focus, and organize a message, other types of communication must also be taught as appropriate for a student’s discipline. Throughout each program of study, then, students must be given ample opportunity to develop their skills in forms of communication central to that program.

Communication Literacy courses for the Physics major (all concentrations) are: PHYS 2305 , PHYS 3304 , PHYS 3401 , and PHYS 4306 .

Recommended Curriculum


First Year


Fall


Total: 14


Spring


Total: 17


Second Year


Fall


Total: 17


Total: 15


Third Year


Fall


Total: 16


Spring


Total: 15


Fourth Year


Fall


Total: 14


Spring


Total: 12


Total Hours: 120


Astrophysics concentration students are strongly encouraged to minor in mathematics, as assumed in the curriculum above.

* Choose from the university’s core curriculum .
Choose from the university’s Multicultural Requirement  list.

Students who entered Tech prior to 2017 will take PHYS 3101  instead of PHYS 3201 , and are not required to take PHYS 2302 .

Foreign Language


A student must complete 6 hours at the sophomore level or above in a single language. The prerequisite for all sophomore language courses is credit for the freshman level. This credit can be determined through a credit by examination. The score attained on the exam will determine whether the student is placed in a second-year course, a 5-hour review course, or in some cases the first or second semester of a beginning (first-year) language course. See Arts and Sciences General Degree Requirements  for further explanation.