The Astronomy Department offers a wide variety of exciting and informative courses every Fall and Spring semester, as well as introductory courses during the Summer Term sessions. Our most popular courses are particularly designed for non-science majors (i.e. our courses at the 100-level).
Introductory Courses for Non-Majors
Our 100-level courses provide excellent introductions for students seeking to explore and understand our place in the physical universe. From learning how our solar system was formed and functions, to examining planets both within our solar system and in other star systems, to studying the birth-life-death cycle of stars and other celestial objects in our Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies, these courses explore historical developments of astronomy and how cosmological thought and understanding have evolved from prehistory to the present.
These courses are primarily intended for students not concentrating in one of the natural sciences.
Principles Courses for Majors or Related Fields
Students interested in majoring in
Astronomy or
Astronomy and Physics should consult early and often with an Astronomy academic advisor on which astronomy (AS) 200-, 300-, and 400-level courses to take in which semester. Review the
undergraduate advising guide for additional information.
AS 200-level courses are open to both students majoring in the astronomy-related fields and those just curious or interested in a deeper study than in the 100-level courses. AS 300- and 400- level courses are aimed at majoring students and ENG students seeking science electives.
Graduate Courses
A full suite of courses at the graduate foundational and topical levels are offered by the Astronomy Department on a regular basis (some annually, some on alternate years, some on a longer cycle).
Additional Resources
- BU Student Link — up-to-date information regarding current course sections, meeting times, and locations
- BU CAS Bulletin — undergraduate course offerings, prerequisites, and Hub requirements
- BU GRS Bulletin — graduate course offerings and prerequisites
