Total credit requirements for an Astronomy major: A student who enters Whitman College with no prior experience in Astronomy will need to complete 35 credits in Astronomy, 8 credits in Physics, and 10 credits in Mathematics and Statistics.
- Required Astronomy Courses
- Astronomy 177, 178, 179, 310, 320, and 330
- At least seven credits from Astronomy courses numbered 200-392; one course from a related area may be approved by the department to count toward this requirement.
- At least four credits in Astronomy 490 and/or 498
- Required Supporting Science Courses
- Physics 145 or 155
- Physics 156, 245, and 255
- Mathematics 124 or 125
- Mathematics 126 and 225
- Senior Requirements
- Astronomy 490 and/or 498
- Students must submit a proposal and be approved for Astronomy 490 in the spring of their junior year.
- Comprehensive written exam
- One-hour oral exam
- Astronomy 490 and/or 498
- Honors
- Students submit an “Honors in Major Study Application” to their department.
- Students must submit a proposal for their thesis or project within the first six weeks of the two-semester period in which they are eligible.
- Accumulated at least 87 credits
- Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
- Major GPA of at least 3.500
- Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program.
- Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course.
- Pass the senior assessment with distinction.
- The department will submit the honors applications to the Registrar’s Office of students pursuing honors by the specified deadline.
- The department will submit the “Senior Assessment/Major Study Certificate” to the Registrar’s Office no later than Reading Day.
- An acceptable digital copy of the honors thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.
- Notes
- Courses in Geology and Computer Science are strongly recommended.
- No courses may be taken P-D-F after the major is declared.
Total Credits
53