Apr 28, 2026

2026-2027 UH Mānoa Catalog [DRAFT]

HELP

2026-2027 UH Mānoa Catalog [DRAFT]

Astronomy, BA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Admissions: Open

Process: Declaration

Min. Total Credits: 120 (108 in core & major + 12 in electives)

UHM General Education Core Requirements

Foundations

Written Communication (FW)

(3 credits)

Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)

Note: This requirement changed in Fall 2018. If you entered the UH System prior to that, please see your college/school advisor.

MATH 241 - Calculus I Credits: 4

Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FG)

(FGA, FGB, FGC; 6 credits)

Group A (FGA) courses cover the time period prehistory to 1500
Group B (FGB) courses cover the time period 1500 to modern times
Group C (FGC) courses cover the time period prehistory to modern times

Diversification

* See degree, college and major requirements for courses that can also fulfill these.

Arts (DA), Humanities (DH), and Literatures (DL)

(6 credits from 2 categories)

Arts (DA*)
Humanities (DH*)
Literatures (DL*)

Natural Sciences

Biological Science (DB*; 3 credits)
Physical Science (DP*; 3 credits)
Laboratory (science) (DY*; 1 credit )

Physical Science (DP)

CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3
OR CHEM 171 - Principles of Chemistry Credits: 4

Laboratory (science) (DY)

CHEM 161L - General Chemistry Lab I Credits: 1
OR CHEM 171L - Principles of Chemistry Lab Credits: 1

Social Sciences (DS)

(DS*; a total of 6 credits from 2 different departments)

UHM Graduation Requirements

Focus

**The STAR Degree Check indicates Focus classes by “E,” “H,” “O,” and “W.” Class Availability indicates Focus sections with “ETH,” “HAP,” “OC,” and “WI.”

Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Issues (H)

(H or HAP**; 1 course, any level)

Contemporary Ethical Issues (E)

(E or ETH**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Oral Communication (O)

(O or OC**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Writing Intensive (W)

(W or WI**; 5 courses, at least two of which are at the 300- or 400-level)

Hawaiian Or Second Language (HSL)

competence at the 202 level

Credit Minimums

120 total applicable
30 UH Mānoa credits
45 upper division (300+ level) credits

Grade Point Average

2.0 cumulative or higher (Note: Other GPAs may be required.)
Good academic standing

College Requirements

Credit Maximums

8 KRS activity
9 Directed Reading / Research
12 Practicum / Internship

Note

This was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. See below for major requirements. Meet regularly with your major advisor. Advising is mandatory every semester for Astronomy majors.

Major Requirements for BA in Astronomy

Admission: Open
Application: NA
Min. major credits: 57 in Astronomy and Physics courses (72 with related requirements)
Min. C grade (not C-) in all courses

Requirements

Astronomy & Physics Related Requirements (15 credits)

MATH 251A *^FQ, MATH 252A and MATH 253A may be substituted for MATH 241 -MATH 244 .

CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3 *^DP
CHEM 161L - General Chemistry Lab I Credits: 1 *^DY
OR
CHEM 171 - Principles of Chemistry Credits: 4
CHEM 171L - Principles of Chemistry Lab Credits: 1
OR
CHEM 181A - Honors General Chemistry Credits: 4
CHEM 181L - Honors General Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
MATH 241 - Calculus I Credits: 4 *^FQ
MATH 242 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MATH 243 - Calculus III Credits: 3

Astronomy & Physics Core Courses (33 credits; see Catalog for prerequisites)

PHYS 170 - General Physics I Credits: 4 ^DP
PHYS 170L - General Physics I Lab Credits: 1 ^DY
PHYS 272 - General Physics II Credits: 3 ^DP
PHYS 272L - General Physics II Lab Credits: 1 ^DY
PHYS 274 - General Physics III Credits: 3 ^DP
PHYS 274L - General Physics III Lab Credits: 2 ^DY
PHYS 485 - Professional Ethics for Physicists Credits: 1
ASTR 185 - Introduction to Astronomical Research Credits: 1
ASTR 241 - Foundations of Astrophysics I: The Solar System Credits: 3 ^DP
ASTR 242 - Foundations of Astrophysics II: Galaxies and Stars Credits: 3 ^DP
ASTR 300 - Observational Astronomy Credits: 3
ASTR 300L - Observational Astronomy Laboratory Credits: 2
ASTR 301 - Observational Astronomy Projects Credits: 3
ASTR 399 - Directed Study Credits: V (2 credits)
ASTR 494 - Senior Research Project Credits: 1 (1 credit)

Additional Courses (24 credits; see Catalog for prerequisites)

12 credits from Group 1:

Must include at least 6 upper division credits.

ASTR 399 may be taken for a maximum of 5 credits; ASTR 399 or ASTR 494 credits taken to fulfill core requirements cannot be counted towards this elective requirement.

ASTR 280 - Evolution of the Universe Credits: 3
ASTR 281 - Astrobiology Credits: 3
ASTR 320 - Astronomical Spectroscopy Credits: 3
ASTR 326 - Modern Extragalactic Astronomy Credits: 3
ASTR 380 - History of Cosmology and Scientific Thought Credits: 3
ASTR 399 - Directed Study Credits: V
ASTR 426 - Galaxies & Cosmology Credits: 3
ASTR 430 - The Solar System Credits: 3
ASTR 494 - Senior Research Project Credits: 1
EPET 201 - Space Exploration Credits: 4
OR ME 201 - Space Exploration Credits: 4
EPET 301 - Space Science and Instrumentation Credits: 4
OR ME 301 - Space Science and Instrumentation Credits: 4

4 courses (including at least 3 upper-division credits) from Group 2:

CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II Credits: 3
CHEM 272 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
ECE 160 - Programming for Engineers Credits: 4
ERTH 101 - Dynamic Earth Credits: 3
OR ERTH 170 - Physical Geology Credits: 4
any ERTH course at 200-level or higher worth at least 3 credits
ICS 110C - Introduction to Computer Programming: C Credits: 3
ICS 110P - Introduction to Computer Programming: Python Credits: 3
ICS 111 - Introduction to Computer Science I Credits: 4
ICS 211 - Introduction to Computer Science II Credits: 4
MATH 244 - Calculus IV Credits: 3
MATH 372 - Elementary Probability and Statistics Credits: 3
any other MATH or PHYS course at 300-level or higher worth at least 3 credits

Notes

College of Natural Sciences Student Academic Success Center; Hamilton Library 002K; (808) 956-5911; cnsadvis@hawaii.edu; natsci.manoa.hawaii.edu/sasc
Department of Physics and Astronomy: Watanabe 416; (808) 956-7087; undergrad@ifa.hawaii.edu
Astronomy Undergraduate Advisor: Michael Nassir; Watanabe 426; (808) 956-2922; nassir@hawaii.edu

Astronomy, BA 4-Year Plan

This is a sample academic plan. Students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registration to formulate their own plan.

Year 1

Fall

CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3 (DP)
OR CHEM 171 - Principles of Chemistry Credits: 4 (DP)
CHEM 161L - General Chemistry Lab I Credits: 1 (DY)
OR CHEM 171L - Principles of Chemistry Lab Credits: 1 (DY)
Group 2 Elective Credits: 3
FW Credits: 3
FG (A/B/C) Credits: 3
MATH 241 - Calculus I Credits: 4 (FQ)

Credits 17

Spring

ASTR 185 - Introduction to Astronomical Research Credits: 1
MATH 242 - Calculus II Credits: 4
PHYS 170 - General Physics I Credits: 4
PHYS 170L - General Physics I Lab Credits: 1
Group 1 Elective Credits: 3

Credits 13

Total Credits 30

Year 2

Fall

HSL 101 Credits: 3
FG (A/B/C) Credits: 3
ASTR 241 - Foundations of Astrophysics I: The Solar System Credits: 3
MATH 243 - Calculus III Credits: 3
PHYS 272 - General Physics II Credits: 3
PHYS 272L - General Physics II Lab Credits: 1

Credits 16

Spring

Group 2 Elective Credits: 3
HSL 102 Credits: 3
ASTR 242 - Foundations of Astrophysics II: Galaxies and Stars Credits: 3
PHYS 274 - General Physics III Credits: 3
PHYS 274L - General Physics III Lab Credits: 2

Credits 14

Total Credits 60

Year 3

Fall

ASTR 300 - Observational Astronomy Credits: 3
ASTR 300L - Observational Astronomy Laboratory Credits: 2
DA/DH/DL 300+ Credits: 3
HSL 201 Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3

Credits 14

Spring

ASTR 301 - Observational Astronomy Projects Credits: 3
Group 2 Elective Credits: 3
HSL 202 Credits: 3
DA/DH/DL 300+ Credits: 3
Group 1 Elective Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 89

Year 4

Fall

ASTR 399 - Directed Study Credits: V
ASTR 494 - Senior Research Project Credits: 1
PHYS 485 - Professional Ethics for Physicists Credits: 1
Group 1 Elective 300+ Credits: 3
DB Credits: 3
DS 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3

Credits 16

Spring

Group 1 Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Group 2 Elective 300+ Credits: 3
DS 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 120

Notes: Students must take placement exams to be able to register for CHEM 161 /CHEM 171 and MATH 241 . Students must incorporate all focus designations requirements into this plan.
Focus designations (i.e., W, E, O, H) are CRN specific & semester specific. Minimum 45 upper division (300+ course) credits are required.

Group 1: Take 12 credits at 200-level+, at least 6 credits at 300-level+. ASTR 280 , ASTR 281 , ASTR 320 , ASTR 326 , ASTR 380 , ASTR 399 , ASTR 426 , ASTR 430 , ASTR 494 , EPET 201 /ME 201 , EPET 301 /ME 301 , EPET 399/ME 399 may be taken for a maximum 5 credits. ASTR 399 or ASTR 494 taken to fulfill core requirements cannot be counted toward the elective requirement.

Group 2: (Take 4 courses, at least 3 upper division credits): CHEM 162 , CHEM 272 ; ECE 160 ; ERTH 101 /ERTH 170 , any ERTH course (200+ level); ICS 110C , ICS 110P , ICS 111 , ICS 211 ; MATH 244 , MATH 372 ; any PHYS or other MATH course at 300+ level or higher.