Astrophysics

Upon completing the BS degree, a student majoring in Physics or Astrophysics will be able to:

1. Acquire and demonstrate a solid foundation of knowledge in physics and/or astrophysics and deeper knowledge of subdivisions of the field related to their interests.
2. Develop the ability to identify, formulate, and solve challenging scientific and technical problems as encountered in physics and astronomy.
3. Learn basic skills in reading scientific literature. They will also be able to communicate scientific results orally and in writing with scientists and the general public.
4. Be able to conduct directed research.

Students pursuing the BS degree with a major in Astrophysics (ASTR) must complete:

• A minimum of 27-31 courses (76 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 136 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.

Students may obtain credit for some courses by advanced placement, and the department's undergraduate committee can modify requirements to meet the needs of students with special backgrounds.

REQUIRED COURSES  

• PHYS 101 Mechanics (with Lab) [ 4 credit hours ] and PHYS 103 Mechanics Discussion [ 0 credit ]
      or PHYS 111 Mechanics (with lab) [ 4 credit hours ] 
  PHYS 102 Electricity and Magnetism (with Lab) [ 4 credit hours ] and PHYS 104 E & M Discussion [ 0 credit ] 
      or PHYS 112 Electricity and Magnetism (with lab) [ 4 credit hours ]   
• PHYS 201 Waves and Optics [ 3 credit hours ]   
• PHYS 202 Modern Physics [ 3 credit hours ]
• PHYS 231 Elementary Physics Laboratory II [ 1 credit hour ]
• PHYS 301 Intermediate Mechanics [ 4 credit hours ]
• PHYS 302 Intermediate Electrodynamics [ 4 credit hours ]
• PHYS 311 Introduction to Quantum Physics I [ 3 credit hours ]
• PHYS 425 Statistical and Thermal Physics [ 3 credit hours ]
• PHYS 491 Undergraduate Research [ 2 credit hours ] and PHYS 493 Undergraduate Research Seminar [ 1 credit hour ] (PHYS 491 and PHYS 493 must be completed concurrently)
• PHYS 492 Undergraduate Research [ 2 credit hours ] and PHYS 494 Undergraduate Research Seminar [ 1 credit hour ] (PHYS 492 and PHYS 494 must be completed concurrently)
• ASTR 230 Astronomy Lab [ 3 credit hours ]
• ASTR 350 Introduction to Astrophysics - Stars [ 3 credit hours ]
• ASTR 360 Introduction to Astrophysics - Galaxy & Cosmos [ 3 credit hours ]
• ASTR 400 Undergraduate Research Seminar [ 1 credit hour, 2 semesters total, a minimum of 2 credit hours ]
• Choose 3 courses (9 credit hours) from the following: 
        ○  ASTR 451 Astrophysics I - Sun and Stars [ 3 credit hours ] 
        ○  ASTR 452 Astrophysics II - Galaxies and Cosmology [ 3 credit hours ] 
        ○  ASTR 470 Solar System Physics [ 3 credit hours ] 
        ○  PHYS 312 Introduction to Quantum Physics II [ 3 credit hours ] 
        ○  PHYS 480 Introduction to Plasma Physics [ 3 credit hours ] 
• MATH 101 Single Variable Calculus I [ 3 credit hours ]
• MATH 102 Single Variable Calculus II [ 3 credit hours ] 
• MATH 211 Ordinary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra [ 3 credit hours ]
      or MATH 221 Honors Calculus [ 3 credit hours ]  
• MATH 212 Multivariable Calculus [ 3 credit hours ]
      or MATH 222 Honors Calculus IV [ 3 credit hours ]
• CAAM 336 Differential Equations in Science and Engineering [ 3 credit hours ]
• NSCI 230/COMP 110 Computation in Science and Engineering [ 3 credit hours ]
      or CAAM 210 Introduction to Engineering Computation [ 3 credit hours ]
• MECH 200 Classical Thermodynamics [ 3 credit hours ]

PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Students pursuing the BS degree with a major in Astrophysics should be aware of the following program restriction:  

• Students pursuing the major in Astrophysics may not additionally declare the minor in Physics. 

• The Coalition Application, or theCommon Application and Rice Writing Supplement, or the Universal College Application and the Rice Supplement
• $75 nonrefundable application fee orfee waiver
• Official high school transcript. Transcripts must be submitted by your high school and will not be accepted by fax or email.
• Official Test Scores: either the SAT and two Subject Tests related to your proposed area of study, or the ACT.
• School Report (counselor recommendation)
• One Teacher Evaluation (teacher recommendation)
• Midyear Report (to be submitted when senior midyear grades become available)
• The Rice International Student Financial Statement
• If English is not your first language or your language of instruction in school, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Scholarships

Rice University will offer need-based financial aid to a limited number of international undergraduate applicants entering Fall 2017. Citizens of foreign countries who apply under Early Decision or Regular Decision and request need-based aid will be reviewed as a separate group.