The sample curricula show 4 distinct approaches to the study of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California at Berkeley. The first two are for students with a strong focus on physics and astrophysics. They differ in the starting point upon entry to UCB and the amount of upper division physics courses taken along with major in Astrophysics. Frequently a double major is taken with Astrophysics and Physics. The second two curricula offer students opportunity for broader study in the physical sciences at Berkeley with less concentration on upper division Physics.
Students can explore parallel interests in chemistry, geophysics, engineering and computer sciences.
The Physical Sciences major can be pursued with an Astrophysics concentration or even an Astrophysics minor. The Astro 7AB courses provide a broad overview of astronomy that applies basic physical theory to the structure, origin and fate of stars and systems of stars and includes a description of the fundamental structure and evolution of space-time. Completion of the Physics 7ABC series and Math 53AB concurrent with Astro 7AB is expected. Double majoring with Physics is encouraged because of the central role of advanced physics in astrophysics. The Astro 7AB courses provide a broad overview of astronomy that applies basic physical theory to the structure, origin and fate of stars and systems of stars and includes a description of the fundamental structure and evolution of space-time.