This spring the physics department will offer two astronomy courses: PHYS 108 Astronomy: Stars, Galaxies, and the Big Bang; and PHYS 208 Introduction to Astrophysics. Since PHYS 208 is a relatively new course, and there are limitations on who may take PHYS 104/108, this advice is intended to guide students and their advisors during course selection.
PHYS 104 and PHYS 108 assume no prior college mathematics or physics experience, and are intended for non-STEM majors fulfilling their NS requirements. While equations/problem-solving is included, conceptual understanding is emphasized. With this in mind, both courses are now closed to students who have taken calculus-based introductory mechanics (PHYS 131 or PHYS 151).
PHYS 208 is better suited for students who have taken an introductory mechanics course. PHYS 208 will assume that students have learned Newton’s laws, angular momentum. and mathematical problem-solving, allowing the course to include more topics and to delve more deeply into the physical reasons for cosmic phenomena.
Students who have never taken physics should continue to register for PHYS 104 or PHYS 108 as before.
Students with credit for PHYS 111 (algebra-based mechanics) may choose whether to take PHYS 104, PHYS 108 or PHYS 208. A student pursuing (or intending to pursue) a physics, math, or engineering major, or who is otherwise comfortable with algebraic problem-solving, will likely prefer PHYS 208. Any student who intends to take PHYS 131/151 in the future should take PHYS 208.
Students with credit for PHYS 131/151 (calculus-based mechanics) should register for PHYS 208. This course will be more appropriate for their experience and typical interests. PHYS 208 also fulfills elective requirements for the Physics minor, the BS Physics major, and many engineering majors; while PHYS 104/108 can only count towards the AB Physics major.
PHYS 108: Spring 2023 syllabus, Spring 2024 syllabus (note one-time adjustments for the solar eclipse)
PHYS 208: Spring 2025 syllabus (Changes for Spring 2026 will include a switch to more traditional quiz/test assessments.)
If you still have questions, please reach out to Prof. Stephanie Douglas.