Astrophysics

University of California, Berkeley

About the Program

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Department of Astronomy offers an undergraduate major and minor in Astrophysics. This program prepares students for astrophysics graduate work or other advanced degrees in related science and engineering fields. It also prepares students for careers in teaching or for working in data science, the tech industry, and other technical fields.

Declaring the Major

Students can apply to declare the major after completing all lower division requirements (see major requirements tab). For applicants with prerequisites in progress, applications will be reviewed after the grades for all prerequisites are available. All the courses applied to the astrophysics major must be taken for a letter grade. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required for all prerequisites as well as for upper-division courses used for the major.  If you are ready to declare or have additional questions about declaring the major, email Brianna Franklin.

Minor Program

The Department of Astronomy offers a minor program in Astrophysics.  All courses applied to the astrophysics minor must be taken for a letter grade. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required for the lower-division minor requirements as well as for the five upper-division courses used for the minor.  Only one upper-division class may overlap between your major and the Astrophysics Minor. Students must complete the College of Letters and Science Completion of L&S Minor form

Visit Department Website

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

  • All courses taken to fulfill the major requirements below must be taken for a letter grade. Exception will be made for coursework taken from Spring 2020-Summer 2021 and Fall 2022.
  • Only one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs, with the exception of minors offered outside of the College of Letters & Science. Only two upper-division courses can overlap between two majors.
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in both upper and lower division courses used to fulfill the major requirements.

For information regarding residency requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

Lower Division Major Requirements

Required:
MATH 1ACalculus4
MATH 1BCalculus4
MATH 53Multivariable Calculus4
MATH 54Linear Algebra and Differential Equations 14
or PHYSICS 89 Introduction to Mathematical Physics
PHYSICS 7APhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
or PHYSICS 5A Introductory Mechanics and Relativity
PHYSICS 7BPhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
PHYSICS 7CPhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
Optional:
These courses are not required but strongly recommended for anyone considering the Astrophysics major.
Introduction to Astrophysics [4] 2
Introduction to Astrophysics [4] 2
Directed Group Study [1-4] (Python)
1

 If you are planning to double major with Physics, PHYSICS 89 is recommended

2

 ASTRON 7A and ASTRON 7B are recommended prerequisites for all upper division courses.

Upper Division Major Requirements

Required (choose one of the following):
Optical and Infrared Astronomy Laboratory [4]
Radio Astronomy Laboratory [4]
Astronomy Data Science Laboratory [4]
Required (choose two of the following):
Stellar Physics [4]
Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology [4]
Planetary Astrophysics [4]
Required (as needed):
Upper division electives so that the total is 30 units for a single major and 24 units for a double major. 1
ASTRON C101
Course Not Available [4]
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry [3]
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry [3]
Instrumental Methods in Analytical Chemistry [4]
Inorganic Synthesis and Reactions [4]
Organic Chemistry [5]
Organic Chemistry [5]
Physical Chemistry [3]
Physical Chemistry [3]
Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy [3]
Physical Chemistry Laboratory [3]
Nuclear Chemistry [2]
User Interface Design and Development [4]
Programming Languages and Compilers [4]
Software Engineering [4]
Foundations of Computer Graphics [4]
Introduction to Database Systems [4]
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence [4]
Introduction to Machine Learning [4]
Principles & Techniques of Data Science [4]
Probability for Data Science [4]
Geodynamics [4]
Computer Simulations with Jupyter Notebooks [4]
Biological Oceanography and Biogeochemistry [4]
Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors [3]
Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics [3]
Introduction to Optical Engineering [4]
Signals and Systems [4]
Introduction to Analysis [4]
Abstract Linear Algebra [4]
Introduction to Abstract Algebra [4]
Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences [4]
Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences [4]
Numerical Analysis [4]
Numerical Analysis [4]
History of Mathematics [4]
Introduction to Complex Analysis [4]
Fluid Mechanics [3]
Introduction to Nuclear Energy and Technology [3]
Nuclear Reactions and Radiation [4]
Analytic Mechanics [4]
Electromagnetism and Optics [4]
Electromagnetism and Optics [4]
Instrumentation Laboratory [4]
Advanced Experimentation Laboratory [1-3]
Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics [4]
Particle Physics [4]
Quantum Mechanics [4]
Quantum Mechanics [4]
Special Relativity and General Relativity [3]
Solid State Physics [4]
Solid State Physics [3]
Introduction to Plasma Physics [4]
Elective Physics: Special Topics [3]
Bayesian Data Analysis and Machine Learning for Physical Sciences [4]
Concepts of Probability [4]
Concepts of Statistics [4]
Probability for Data Science [4]
Introduction to Time Series [4]
Reproducible and Collaborative Statistical Data Science [4]
1

 The 30 unit requirement (or 24 units for double majors with another major) is the sum of astronomy upper division courses and the electives.

Minor Requirements

Students who have a strong interest in an area of study outside their major often decide to complete a minor program. These programs have set requirements.

General Guidelines

  • All minors must be declared before the first day of classes in your Expected Graduation Term (EGT). For summer graduates, minors must be declared prior to the first day of Summer Session A. 

  • All upper-division courses must be taken for a letter grade. 

  • A minimum of three of the upper-division courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be completed at UC Berkeley.

  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required in the upper-division courses to fulfill the minor requirements.

  • Courses used to fulfill the minor requirements may be applied toward the Seven-Course Breadth requirement, for Letters & Science students.

  • No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs.

  • All minor requirements must be completed prior to the last day of finals during the semester in which the student plans to graduate. If students cannot finish all courses required for the minor by that time, they should see a College of Letters & Science adviser.

  • All minor requirements must be completed within the unit ceiling. (For further information regarding the unit ceiling, please see the College Requirements tab.)

Lower Division Minor Requirements

Required:
MATH 1ACalculus4
MATH 1BCalculus4
MATH 53Multivariable Calculus4
MATH 54Linear Algebra and Differential Equations4
or PHYSICS 89 Introduction to Mathematical Physics
PHYSICS 7APhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
or PHYSICS 5A Introductory Mechanics and Relativity
PHYSICS 7BPhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
PHYSICS 7CPhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
Optional:
These courses are not required but strongly recommended for anyone considering the Astrophysics minor.
Introduction to Astrophysics [4] 1
Introduction to Astrophysics [4] 1
Directed Group Study [1-4] (Python)

1 ASTRON 7A and ASTRON 7B are recommended prerequisites for all upper division courses.

Upper Division Minor Requirements

Required (choose two of the following):
Optical and Infrared Astronomy Laboratory [4]
Radio Astronomy Laboratory [4]
Astronomy Data Science Laboratory [4]
Stellar Physics [4]
Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology [4]
Planetary Astrophysics [4]
Required (choose three of the following electives):
ASTRON C101
Course Not Available [4]
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry [3]
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry [3]
Instrumental Methods in Analytical Chemistry [4]
Inorganic Synthesis and Reactions [4]
Organic Chemistry [5]
Organic Chemistry [5]
Physical Chemistry [3]
Physical Chemistry [3]
Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy [3]
Physical Chemistry Laboratory [3]
Nuclear Chemistry [2]
User Interface Design and Development [4]
Programming Languages and Compilers [4]
Software Engineering [4]
Foundations of Computer Graphics [4]
Introduction to Database Systems [4]
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence [4]
Introduction to Machine Learning [4]
Principles & Techniques of Data Science [4]
Probability for Data Science [4]
Geodynamics [4]
Computer Simulations with Jupyter Notebooks [4]
Biological Oceanography and Biogeochemistry [4]
Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors [3]
Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics [3]
Introduction to Optical Engineering [4]
Introduction to Analysis [4]
Abstract Linear Algebra [4]
Introduction to Abstract Algebra [4]
Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences [4]
Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences [4]
Numerical Analysis [4]
Numerical Analysis [4]
History of Mathematics [4]
Introduction to Complex Analysis [4]
Fluid Mechanics [3]
Introduction to Nuclear Energy and Technology [3]
Nuclear Reactions and Radiation [4]
Analytic Mechanics [4]
Electromagnetism and Optics [4]
Electromagnetism and Optics [4]
Instrumentation Laboratory [4]
Advanced Experimentation Laboratory [1-3]
Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics [4]
Particle Physics [4]
Quantum Mechanics [4]
Quantum Mechanics [4]
Special Relativity and General Relativity [3]
Solid State Physics [4]
Solid State Physics [3]
Introduction to Plasma Physics [4]
Elective Physics: Special Topics [3]
Bayesian Data Analysis and Machine Learning for Physical Sciences [4]
Concepts of Probability [4]
Concepts of Statistics [4]
Probability for Data Science [4]
Introduction to Time Series [4]
Reproducible and Collaborative Statistical Data Science [4]

College Requirements

Undergraduate students must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those required by their major program.

For detailed lists of courses that fulfill college requirements, please review the College of Letters & Sciences page in this Guide. For College advising appointments, please visit the L&S Advising Pages. 

University of California Requirements

Entry Level Writing

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing requirement. Fulfillment of this requirement is also a prerequisite to enrollment in all reading and composition courses at UC Berkeley. 

American History and American Institutions

The American History and Institutions requirements are based on the principle that a US resident graduated from an American university, should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

Berkeley Campus Requirement

American Cultures

All undergraduate students at Cal need to take and pass this course in order to graduate. The requirement offers an exciting intellectual environment centered on the study of race, ethnicity and culture of the United States. AC courses offer students opportunities to be part of research-led, highly accomplished teaching environments, grappling with the complexity of American Culture.

College of Letters & Science Essential Skills Requirements

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is designed to ensure that students graduate with basic understanding and competency in math, statistics, or computer science. The requirement may be satisfied by exam or by taking an approved course.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language requirement may be satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in reading comprehension, writing, and conversation in a foreign language equivalent to the second semester college level, either by passing an exam or by completing approved course work.

Reading and Composition

In order to provide a solid foundation in reading, writing, and critical thinking the College requires two semesters of lower division work in composition in sequence. Students must complete parts A & B reading and composition courses in sequential order by the end of their fourth semester.

College of Letters & Science 7 Course Breadth Requirements

Breadth Requirements

The undergraduate breadth requirements provide Berkeley students with a rich and varied educational experience outside of their major program. As the foundation of a liberal arts education, breadth courses give students a view into the intellectual life of the University while introducing them to a multitude of perspectives and approaches to research and scholarship. Engaging students in new disciplines and with peers from other majors, the breadth experience strengthens interdisciplinary connections and context that prepares Berkeley graduates to understand and solve the complex issues of their day.

Unit Requirements

  • 120 total units

  • Of the 120 units, 36 must be upper division units

  • Of the 36 upper division units, 6 must be taken in courses offered outside your major department
Residence Requirements

For units to be considered in "residence," you must be registered in courses on the Berkeley campus as a student in the College of Letters & Science. Most students automatically fulfill the residence requirement by attending classes here for four years, or two years for transfer students. In general, there is no need to be concerned about this requirement, unless you go abroad for a semester or year or want to take courses at another institution or through UC Extension during your senior year. In these cases, you should make an appointment to meet an adviser to determine how you can meet the Senior Residence Requirement.

Note: Courses taken through UC Extension do not count toward residence.

Senior Residence Requirement

After you become a senior (with 90 semester units earned toward your BA degree), you must complete at least 24 of the remaining 30 units in residence in at least two semesters. To count as residence, a semester must consist of at least 6 passed units. Intercampus Visitor, EAP, and UC Berkeley-Washington Program (UCDC) units are excluded.

You may use a Berkeley Summer Session to satisfy one semester of the Senior Residence requirement, provided that you successfully complete 6 units of course work in the Summer Session and that you have been enrolled previously in the college.

Modified Senior Residence Requirement

Participants in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP), Berkeley Summer Abroad, or the UC Berkeley Washington Program (UCDC) may meet a Modified Senior Residence requirement by completing 24 (excluding EAP) of their final 60 semester units in residence. At least 12 of these 24 units must be completed after you have completed 90 units.

Upper Division Residence Requirement

You must complete in residence a minimum of 18 units of upper division courses (excluding UCEAP units), 12 of which must satisfy the requirements for your major.

Major Map

Major Maps help undergraduate students discover academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities at UC Berkeley based on intended major or field of interest. Developed by the Division of Undergraduate Education in collaboration with academic departments, these experience maps will help you:

  • Explore your major and gain a better understanding of your field of study

  • Connect with people and programs that inspire and sustain your creativity, drive, curiosity and success

  • Discover opportunities for independent inquiry, enterprise, and creative expression

  • Engage locally and globally to broaden your perspectives and change the world

  • Reflect on your academic career and prepare for life after Berkeley

Use the major map below as a guide to planning your undergraduate journey and designing your own unique Berkeley experience.

View the Astrophysics Major Map PDF.

Advising

Undergraduate Advising

Brianna Franklin is the Department of Astronomy's undergraduate advisor. Students are encouraged to see the undergraduate advisor for information on major and minor requirements, policies, procedures, department resources, events and activities as well as certifying degrees and majors. Advising appointments can be made using Calcentral. Drop-in advising is also available. 

Undergraduate Faculty Advisor

Eugene Chiang is the Department of Astronomy's undergraduate faculty advisor. He is a great resource for content of courses, research, and career development in the field of astrophysics. Office hours are available here.

Courses

Astrophysics

Contact Information

Department of Astronomy

501 Campbell Hall

Phone: 510-642-5275

Fax: 510-642-3411

Visit Department Website

Department Chair

Joshua Bloom

501 Campbell Hall

joshbloom@berkeley.edu

Academic Advisor

Brianna Franklin

501 Campbell Hall

bfranklin@berkeley.edu

Department Manager

Maria Kies

501 Campbell Hall

Phone: 510-643-5040

emkies@berkeley.edu

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