Why study Astrophysics
If you have ever looked out into the night sky with a sense of wonder, this may be the major for you.
Astrophysics is the study of the stellar and galactic evolution and the origins of the universe. It is an inherently multidisciplinary field that brings together physics knowledge in thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, optics, and electromagnetism with chemistry and other topics. The astrophysics concentration, rather than including 18 credit hours of electives as in the standard physics major, specifies 18 credit hours of ASTR coursework including Astrophysics I and II. Astrophysics graduates go on to graduate and professional school in fields such as physics, astronomy, engineering, computer science, medical physics, medicine, law, and finance. Astrophysics graduates can be found working in a variety of fields under titles such as physicist, engineer, analyst, and consultant.
Faculty assist with focusing on undergraduate research, small class sizes and great faculty-student interactions; all of which culminate in a capstone project. Our faculty have expertise in Astronomy, Astrophysics, variable stars, white dwarf stars, standard stars and stellar evolution.
What will I Learn
- To identify, formulate, and solve complex problems by applying principles of science, engineering, and mathematics.
- To design experiments and apply design principles to solve problems that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- To communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- To recognize ethical and professional responsibilities and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of activities in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- To function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- To develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use good judgment to draw conclusions.
- To acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
- To use computational techniques to model and solve problems.
Program Information
Astrophysics Program Requirements