Bachelor of Science: Physics - Astronomy Emphasis
University Requirements
General Education
UMKC Essentials is the university-wide curriculum that all undergraduate students will complete. The 30-credit hour program includes a First Year Experience course; three critical thinking courses in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Natural & Physical Sciences, and Social & Behavioral Sciences; a course in Culture and Diverse Perspectives; a course in Civic & Urban Engagement; two courses in Written Composition and one course in Oral Communication; and a Math Pathway course. Transfer students entering UMKC will elect from the UMKC Essentials General Education Program or the Missouri Core 42 General Education Curriculum. Academic advisors will meet with incoming transfer students to determine which option best serves the student’s educational needs. More information about General Education may be found here: https://catalog.umkc.edu/undergraduate-academic-regulations-information/general-education-requirements/
Constitution Course
Every undergraduate student must take a course covering the United States Constitution and the Missouri State Constitution before graduation. Course options are included in the program requirements section below.
Exit Examinations
Information on exit examinations is available in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations and Information section of the catalog.
Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination
In accordance with Missouri Senate Bill 807 (section 170.013.1), 'any student entering a public institution of higher education for the first time after July 2019 who is pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree from such institution shall successfully pass an examination on the provisions and principles of American civics with a score of seventy percent or greater as a condition of graduation from such institution'. To satisfy this requirement at UMKC, students access the exam through the Canvas site. This requirement will be listed in the degree audit system as, 'Take State Mandated Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination', and listed on the transcript as 'Missouri Civics Examination'.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
Description of the Bachelor of Science Program with an Emphasis in Astronomy
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Physics with an Emphasis in Astronomy is recommended for students that are seeking to continue their academic careers in graduate school or for those that are interested in seeking career employment in industrial, governmental, or private organizations that require a strong scientific background.
Astronomy advising questions should be directed to Professor Daniel McIntosh (McIntoshDH@umkc.edu).
Students graduating with a BS degree in Physics with an Emphasis in Astronomy will be prepared for entry into graduate programs or the job market for career employment.
Astronomy Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following Introductory Programming course options: | 3-4 | |
| Problem Solving and Programming I and Problem Solving & Programming I Lab | ||
| Engineering Computation | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| The following Astronomy courses: | 9 | |
| Practical Astronomy | ||
| Stellar Astrophysics | ||
| Galaxies | ||
| Choose at least one of the follow pairs of lab courses: | 3-4 | |
| Circuit Theory I and Circuit Theory I Lab | ||
| Computer Interfacing Laboratory | ||
| PHYSICS 300 & 400 Level Courses | 6 | |
Minimum GPA: 2.0
Total Credit Hours: 120
Formulating a Plan of Study
In order to ensure that the appropriate courses are taken, students are encouraged to consult with the undergraduate advisor for astronomy (Professor Dan McIntosh, mcintoshdh@umkc.edu) before beginning the major.
Tools for Planning and Fulfilling Academic Requirements
UMKC's Major Maps are detailed, semester by semester plans that lead a student to complete all degree requirements within four years. Plans include benchmarks and critical courses by term that assist a student’s evaluation of progress and major “fit”. In order to ensure that the appropriate courses are taken, students are encouraged to consult with the undergraduate advisor for this major. Please see the tab above to view the major map for this program.
UMKC’s Transfer Guides provide detailed guidance on recommended transfer coursework, plans of study, transfer timelines, and transfer contact information. To ensure a seamless transfer experience, students are encouraged to work with both their community college advisor and a UMKC advisor when planning their coursework.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Audit’ degree audit system provides an individual evaluation of all degree requirements (General Education, Degree Specific, Major Specific, etc.) for students' officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. This evaluation is used to certify all graduation requirements.
UMKC’s PlanMyDegree ‘Plans’ degree planning tool enables students to develop a personalized semester by semester plan of study towards completion of degree requirements for student’s officially recorded (Office of the Registrar) and “what if” exploratory plans of study. Update and edit your full plan to degree completion each term and confirm accuracy each semester with your Academic Advisor(s).
Year 1