Tackle questions about the universe

As an Astrophysics major, you’ll study the formation of the universe and the behavior and life cycles of stars, planets and galaxies. You’ll focus on scientific investigation, laboratory experience and research opportunities to give you hands-on experience in the field of astrophysics.

You’ll start by taking core courses that align with the standard Physics major. The program is designed with flexibility so that you can focus on instrumentation, observational data analysis, or theoretical/computational work by choosing appropriate elective courses.

Astrophysics majors at DePaul work with faculty members on research projects, which may result in your work being published in journals. These research projects include astrophysics, observational astronomy, complex fluids, materials science and ultra-fast physics.

Classes

Coursework

• Cosmology
• Star Formation
• Stellar Astrophysics

Resources

• Major Requirements
• Schedule of Classes
• Department Website

• Combined bachelor's + master's degree offered

Career Options

Common Career Areas

• Computer science
• Electronics development
• Engineering
• Optics
• Photonics
• Post-graduate study
• Research
• Scientific computing??

Major Requirements

Physics

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
PHY 170	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I	4
PHY 171	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II	4
PHY 172	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS III	4
PHY 270	UNIVERSITY PHYSICS IV	4
PHY 300	METHODS OF COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS I	4
PHY 301	METHODS OF COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL PHYSICS II	4
PHY 330	SENIOR CAPSTONE PHYSICAL SCIENCE (Liberal Studies Program Capstone)	4

Mathematics

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
Select one of the following three-course Calculus sequences:		12
Sequence One
MAT 147	CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS I
MAT 148	CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS II
MAT 149	CALCULUS WITH INTEGRATED PRECALCULUS III
Sequence Two
MAT 150	CALCULUS I
MAT 151	CALCULUS II
MAT 152	CALCULUS III
Sequence Three
MAT 160	CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS I
MAT 161	CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS II
MAT 162	CALCULUS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE MAJORS III
Additional Math Course
MAT 260	MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS I	4

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
PHY 310	MECHANICS I	4
PHY 320	ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I	4
PHY 360	QUANTUM MECHANICS I	4
PHY 361	QUANTUM MECHANICS II	4
PHY 373	STAR FORMATION	4
PHY 374	STELLAR ASTROPHYSICS	4
PHY 375	INTRODUCTION TO COSMOLOGY	4
PHY 376	ASTRONOMICAL DATA ANALYSIS	4
PHY 380	EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS I	4
One PHY Elective Required		4
PHY 104	THE SUN & ITS PLANETS
PHY 114	EXPLORING OTHER WORLDS
PHY 204	FRONTIERS OF THE UNIVERSE
PHY 370	ELECTRONICS
For additional options, see Advisor

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
MAT 261	MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS II	4
Select one year-long sequence of courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or computer science from the following sequences:		12
Biology Sequence
BIO 191	GENERAL BIOLOGY I FOR SCIENCE MAJORS
BIO 192	GENERAL BIOLOGY II FOR SCIENCE MAJORS
BIO 193	GENERAL BIOLOGY III FOR SCIENCE MAJORS
Chemistry Sequence
CHE 130 & CHE 131	GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
CHE 132 & CHE 133	GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
CHE 134 & CHE 135	GENERAL CHEMISTRY III and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III
Mathematics Sequence: Select three 300-level sequenced courses as approved by departmental advisor
Computer Science Sequence: Select any one year-long three-course sequence of CSC courses as approved by departmental faculty advisor

Open Electives

Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours. 

Students are advised to talk with their advisor before double majoring, because some major combinations are prohibited.  No more than 50% of the credits that apply to one major may be drawn from another major. 

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