Astrophysics Major and Minor

Important Notes:

Astro 7A and 7B are recommended prerequisites for all upper-division courses.
The 30 unit requirement (or 24 units for double majors with another major) is the sum of astronomy upper division courses and the electives.
Lower-divison prerequisites must be satisfied (please see list on our Declaring the Major page) with a minimum GPA of 2.0. We require a C- in all our lower prerequisite classes.
Upper division courses and electives need to be taken for a letter grade. We require a C- or better in all our upper division classes..

Optional:	Astro 7A Astro 7B
Required (take a minimum of two):	Astro 120 Astro 121 Astro 128 Astro 160 Astro C161 Astro C162
Required (take a minimum of three):	Upper division electives (see below for complete list of eligible courses)

Important Notes:

Astro 7A and 7B are recommended for the minor, but are not required.
Lower-divison prerequisites must be satisfied (please see list on our Declaring the Major page) with a minimum GPA of 2.0. We require a C- in all our lower prerequisite classes.

Courses	Required Prerequisites	Recommended Prerequisites
Astro 7A*	Physics 7A/B OR Physics 5A/B* Math 1A/B	Python DeCal OR Physics 77 OR Physics 88 (+co-requisite Data 8) OR Computer Science (CS) 61aPython DeCal OR Physics 77 OR Physics 88 (+co-requisite Data 8) OR Computer Science (CS) 61a
Astro 7B*	Physics 7A/B/C OR Physics 5A/B/C* Math 1A/B	Python DeCal OR Physics 77 OR Physics 88 (+co-requisite Data 8) OR Computer Science (CS) 61a
Astro 120	Physics 7A/B/C OR Physics 5A/B/C* Math 54 OR Physics 89	Astro 7A/B Python DeCal OR Physics 77 OR Physics 88 (+co-requisite Data 8) OR Computer Science (CS) 61a
Astro 121	Physics 7A/B/C OR Physics 5A/B/C* Math 54 OR Physics 89**	Astro 7A/B Physics 110A/B Python DeCal OR Physics 77 OR Physics 88 (+co-requisite Data 8) OR Computer Science (CS) 61a
Astro 128	Astro 7A/B OR Astro 160/161 Math 53 Math 54 / Physics 89	Data 8/100 OR Physics 77 OR Physics 88 OR Python Decal OR CS 61a OR CS 88
Astro 160	Physics 7A/B/C OR Physics 5A/B/C***	Astro 7A Physics 112 Physics 137A
Astro C161	Physics 7A/B/C OR Physics 5A/B/C***	Astro 7B Physics 112 Physics 137A/B
Astro C162	Physics 7A/B/C OR Physics 5A/B/C***	Astro 7A Physics 112
Physics 77*	None
Computer Science 61a*	None
Python DeCal*	None

* These courses are not required but strongly recommended for anyone considering the Astrophysics major. Please consult with the Undergraduate Adviser.
** Prerequisite Course can be taken concurrently.
***Instead of the Physics 7 series students can opt to take the Physics 5 series.

DEPARTMENT	COURSES
Physics	105 Analytical Mechanics 110A/B Electromagnetism and Optics 111 Modern Physics and Advanced Electrical Laboratory 112 Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics 129 Particle Physics 137A/B Quantum Mechanics 139 Special Relativity and General Relativity 142 Introduction to Plasma Physics 151 Order-of-Magnitude Physics 188 Bayesian Data Analysis and Machine Learning for Physical Sciences (previously 151)
Mathematics	104 Introduction to Analysis 110 Linear Algebra 121A/B Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences 128A/B Numerical Analysis 160 History of Mathematics [req Math 113] 185 Introduction to Complex Analysis [req Math 104]
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science	118 Introduction to Optical Engineering [req EECS 16A and EECS 16B] 120 Signals and Systems [req 16A and 16B] 150 Components and Design Techniques for Digital Systems [req 61C or EE 40 or 42] 160 User Interface Design and Development [req 61B] 164 Programming Languages and Compilers [req 61B/C] 169 Software Engineering [req 61B/C] 184 Foundations of Computer Graphics [req 61B] 186 Introduction to Database Systems [req 61B/C] 188 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence [req 61A/B] 189 Introduction to Machine Learning
Statistics	134 Concepts of Probability 135 Concepts of Statistics [req 101 or 134] 153 Introduction to Time Series [req 101 or 134]
Earth and Planetary Science	108 Geodynamics 109 Computer Simulations in Earth and Planetary Sciences 122 Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors [req PHY 105] C181: Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics
Chemistry	104A/B Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 105 Instrumental Methods of Analysis [req 104A] 108 Inorganic Synthesis and Reactions [req 104A/B] 12A/B Organic Chemistry 120A/B Physical Chemistry 122 Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy [req 120A/B] 125 Physical Chemistry Laboratory [req 120A/B] 143 Nuclear Chemistry
Mechanical Engineering	106 Fluid Mechanics

Undergraduate Advising

Amber Banayat, the Department of Astronomy’s Undergraduate Adviser, is available to answer your questions about the Astrophysics major and other Undergraduate matters. Other resources include: piazza.com/berkeley/other/astro101

Join our prospective mailing list at prospective+subscribe@astro.berkeley.edu

Email: astroadvising@berkeley.edu
Phone: (510) 463-1839
Office: 501 Campbell Hall
Advising: Please use Calcentral to make an appointment

Undergraduate Faculty Adviser

Mariska Kriek is the Department of Astronomy’s Undergraduate Faculty Adviser. She is available to assist with issues that arise during your time as an Undergraduate student in the Astrophysics program; Professor Kriek is a great resource for explanations pertaining to the content of courses.

Email: mkriek@berkeley.edu
Office: 317 Campbell Hall
Hours: Sign up for office hours

Astrophysics Major and Minor

Astrophysics Minor

Course List and Prerequisites

Summary of Upper-Division Electives

Undergraduate Advising

Undergraduate Faculty Adviser