The astronomy option prepares students for professional work as a physicist or astrophysicist, and is the first step towards graduate work in astronomy or physics. It takes full advantage of the wide range of research that UNH has to offer in astrophysics and space science

Students enrolled in the astronomy option will be required to take PHYS 406 (Introduction to Modern Astronomy). This course provides a formal introduction to astronomy and is especially appropriate for those with no prior background in astronomy. Students who have had previous formal education in astronomy (such as a high school astronomy course) will be eligible to petition out of this requirement.
The astronomy option requires students to conduct one full year of research during their senior year. Students will be required to take one semester of PHYS 795 (Independent Study, 4 credits, which is not writing intensive) and one semester of PHYS 799 (Thesis Credits, 4 credits, which is writing intensive) during their senior year, during which they carry out research on some astronomical topic. The first semester provides an opportunity to become acquainted with the research and to begin the research project. The second semester is focused on the research and subsequent presentation of results. The research project would be designed to take full advantage of astronomy-related research within the Space Science Center.

1. Satisfy the General Education Requirements. This includes 10 courses, four of which (MATH 425, CHEM 403-404, and ENG 401) are also Physics B.S. degree requirements. 
One of the six remaining general education courses should also be writing intensive (see below). Note that no physics course can satisfy the general education requirement for a physics major. The rationale behind this is that a course in physics does not broaden the education of a physics major. CS 401 is also disallowed as a group 3 Gen Ed for physics majors.
2. Satisfy the Writing Requirements. This requirement includes 4 courses, three of which (ENG 401, PHYS 705 and PHYS 799) are also requirements for the astronomy option.
3. Satisfy the Bachelor of Science Requirements: a minimum of 128 credits at the 400-799 level and at a GPA of at least 2.00.
4. Minimum Physics requirements: PHYS 400, 407-408, 505, 506, 508, 605, 615-616, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705.
5. Requirements in Option: PHYS 406, PHYS 710, PHYS 795, PHYS 799.
6. Elective in Option: Choose one course from PHYS 708, PHYS 712, PHYS 720, PHYS 764, PHYS 791.
7. Chemistry: CHEM 403-404 or CHEM 405.
8. Math: MATH 425-426 and 525-526 or 527-528.
9. Computer Science: CS 410.