it doesn’t matter. maybe you should just watch stargate. bet that’ll be of more help than some lousy course.

Posted by nikbaker.gnikg, on October 29th, 2008, at 12:57 pm. #.

That’s going to depend on what the courses you take are worth in credits. You need to take a full course load like everybody else, but that might work out to a different number of courses if some of the courses you choose to take or have to take are full-year or are just worth more in credits.

Posted by glurpy, on October 31st, 2008, at 12:01 pm. #.

It depends on the school. Most schools probably have details requirements for graduation on their website. Just go check out school’s website.

Posted by super_deformed_girl, on November 1st, 2008, at 11:09 pm. #.

It depends on where you go to school and what that particular school requires for your major, minor(s), and electives. I think a “typical” course load for most majors is 15 – 18 semester hours for four years (8 semesters), so mathematically that would be 120 to 144 semester hours for most majors (including classes for your minor and electives). Since classes usually range from 2 to 5 units, the number of classes would vary. Most science classes like astronomy have lab work, so they are often 4 or 5 units per class, but the others could be almost anything. My English lit classes were usually only 3 units.

Posted by Lillian L, on November 2nd, 2008, at 3:26 pm. #.

In astronomy ..
Usually 10 courses

After That 7-8 courses for your masters of astronomy.

the other answers although good ones ..do not reference to astronomy so that is a way to get an idea

Posted by Astro, on November 5th, 2008, at 7:44 am. #.

A BA in astronomy usually includes intro astronomy (1 or 2 semesters), intro calculus-based physics (2 semesters), classes in stellar astronomy, galactic astronomy, and cosmology, observational astronomy or telescopes, maybe planetary science or atmospheric physics. It changes based on the school, but it will include similar classes to this. In addition, you’ll probably be required to take a bunch of physics classes – classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, electronics, quantum mechanics, math physics.

In the end, it’s just easier to double major in astronomy and physics, maybe with a minor in math as well, since you’ll be taking so much of each subject.

However, if you want to be an astronomer, you don’t stop with the bachelor’s degree – working astronomers need PhDs. There really aren’t any jobs in the field if you don’t have a Ph.D. You’ll need a physics major to get into grad school, most likely.

As an undergrad, do as much research as possible (during the summers and semseters) to help your chances of getting into grad programs. Also, learn a few programming languages – C, Fortran, and IDL are particularly useful for astornomers. Remember, grad school is another 6 years after undergrad, so only do this if you’re certain you want to be an astronomer.

Good luck!

Posted by eri, on November 7th, 2008, at 11:04 am. #.