Astronomy (ASTR)College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences1205 Computer and Space Sciences Building, 301-405-3001 www.astro.umd.edu astr-grad@deans.umd.edu Chair: S. Vogel Director: E. McKenzie (Res Assoc) Professors: L. D. Deming, D. Hamilton, A. Harris, S. McGaugh, M. C. Miller, L. Mundy, R. Mushotzky, E. Ostriker, K. Papadopoulos, C. Reynolds, S. Veilleux Associate Professors: D. Richardson Assistant Professors: A. Bolatto, M. Ricotti Instructors: G. Deming Lecturers: M. Hayes-Gehrke, R. Olling (Res Assoc), A. Peel, P. Romani Adjunct Professors: J. Centrella, E. Dwek, N. Gehrels, M. Mumma, N. White Professors Emeriti: M. A'Hearn, R. Bell, J. Earl, W. Erickson, J. Harrington, M. Leventhal, D. Wentzel Visiting Faculty: D. Neufeld The Major The Astronomy Department offers courses leading to a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy as well as a series of courses of general interest to non-majors. Astronomy majors are given a strong undergraduate preparation in Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics. The degree program is designed to prepare students for positions in government and industry laboratories or for graduate work in Astronomy or related fields. Academic Programs and Departmental Facilities The Department of Astronomy is a partner in the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-Wave Astronomy (CARMA) which operates a millimeter wavelength radio array located near Bishop, California. The array is the largest and most sensitive array of its type in the world. As of early 2012, the Department is also pursuing a new partnership in a major optical telescope. The Department is involved with major space missions, such as NASA's EPOXI mission which visited Comet Hartley 2 in 2010. Additionally, the Department operates a small observatory on campus which has four fixed telescopes ranging in aperture from 20" to 7" and six portable 8" telescopes. This facility is used for undergraduate majors' classes and for small-scale research projects, as well as for an Open House Program for the public. Finally, the Department maintains and upgrades a Beowulf cluster for computation-intensive science projects. Opportunities are available for undergraduates to become involved in research with all of these facilities. Requirements for the Major
*With the permission of the advisor, PHYS 161, 262, 263 can be substituted for this sequence. The program requires that a grade of C- or better be obtained in all courses required for the major. Beginning with students matriculating in Fall 2012, to be awarded a baccalaureate degree, students must have a minimum C (2.0) cumulative grade point average across all courses used to satisfy major degree requirements. Detailed information on typical programs and alternatives to the standard program can be found in the pamphlet entitled, Department Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Astronomy which is available from the Astronomy Department office.
Requirements for the Minor Astronomy A Minor in Astronomy may be earned by completing the following with grades of C- or better. Beginning with students matriculating in Fall 2012, to be awarded a baccalaureate degree, students must have a minimum C (2.0) cumulative grade point average across all courses used to satisfy minor requirements. An appointment must be made to register for the minor before final 30 credits are taken. Please contact Department for complete rules and procedures.
Planetary Sciences The Departments of Astronomy and Geology jointly sponsor a minor program in Planetary Science. Details about this minor and its course requirements are provided in Chapter 8. Internships Many undergraduate students do astronomy research internships at the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. More information is available on the department website under ' Undergraduate Research '. Honors Program The Honors Program offers students of exceptional ability and interest in Astronomy opportunities for research participation. Honors students work with a faculty advisor on a research project for which academic credit is earned. Certain graduate courses are open for credit toward the bachelor's degree. (Students are accepted into the Honors Program by the Department's Honors Committee on the basis of grade point average or recommendation of faculty.) Honors candidates enroll in ASTR 399, complete a research project, write a thesis and do an oral presentation before a committee. Satisfactory grades lead to graduation With Honors (or High Honors) in Astronomy. For Additional Information Further information about advising and the Honors Program can be obtained by calling the Department of Astronomy office at 301-405-3001. Students who have been away more than two years may find that due to curriculum changes the courses they have taken may no longer be adequate preparation for the courses required to complete the major. Students in this situation must meet with the Departmental Advisor to make appropriate plans. |