Astronomy and Astrophysics

Overview

Students of the Astronomy and Astrophysics program at The Ohio State University should be ready to start their calculus and physics courses as soon as they begin college. This means that their high school mathematics should go up to and include analytical geometry and trigonometry, and their high school science courses should include physics and chemistry. Experience with computers is also very helpful.

Program objectives

• Provide students with the opportunity to master the fundamental physics at the heart of modern astrophysics: classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics
• Help students to develop problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze physical systems within the framework of theoretical physics
• Provide students with an overview of research topics in contemporary astronomy
• Provide students with a basic mastery of data analysis and statistics
• Teach students to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Provide students with the opportunity to develop a basic knowledge of and facility with computing

Possible careers

Graduates may find opportunities to teach at the high school level. They may also find employment at observatories, planetariums, science museums and in industry where they may assist in computational and observational research programs or participate in public education programs.

A BS in astronomy and astrophysics is also excellent preparation for graduate study in astronomy and in some other physical sciences. Most professional astronomers have faculty positions at universities and colleges or are affiliated with universities and colleges through observatories and laboratories. For these astronomers, teaching and research are the major areas of activity. A PhD is generally required for faculty positions. Some professional astronomers are employed by the federal government directly (e.g., NASA) or by federally supported national observatories and laboratories (e.g., the National Optical Astronomy Observatories and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory). Others find employment in the aerospace industry or with companies involved in computation or image processing. A PhD in astronomy or physics is also generally required for these positions.