Bachelors in Astronomy Abroad

Overview

Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial bodies and objects like planets, stars, comets and galaxies along with the phenomena originating outside the Earth's atmosphere like cosmic background radiation, supernova explosions, gamma ray bursts, quasars, blazars and pulsars. Thus, Astronomy is generally concerned with everything that originated and happens outside the Earth’s atmosphere. Being one of the oldest scientific fields, it would come as no surprise that this field is as expansive as the Universe itself!

Celestial objects and associated phenomena have always been a source of fascination for humans and the universe harbours much more mysteries than what humanity has uncovered! Astronomers are at the forefront of the research to understand how the universe was formed and the celestial bodies that are contained within it.

Astronomy consists of observational and theoretical branches, and applies the concepts of maths and physics to study the celestial objects and phenomena. If you find yourself interested in research and study of the universe, and would like to develop a career in this field, an undergraduate program in Astronomy can be a worthy consideration. Pursuing Bachelor’s in Astronomy not only provides a great exposure to the various facets of the domain but also helps to explore the subsets of this vast field, thereby developing the required technical knowledge and skill-set to get acquainted with instruments and systems Astronomers need.

Course Structure

Students planning to study Astronomy abroad must have a good hold of the required subjects before commencing the Bachelor’s program. Following are the subjects required for Bachelor’s in Astronomy:

Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Computer Science

Course Subjects

Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Computer Science

Top Specializations

Core Skills

According to the BLS, astronomers must have the ability to solve complex problems, conduct research, and accurately analyze data. They need strong math and science skills, along with being about to work within a team. It also helps to have knowledge of specific science-related software programs.

Requirements

For those interested in pursuing a career in astronomy, students will need to complete a Bachelor's degree. A Bachelor's degrees in physics (with additional courses taken in astronomy, chemistry, and geology) or astronomy (with additional courses taken in physics and mathematics) are most commonly accepted for graduate programs in astronomy. Most Ph.D. programs also recommend taking classes in the social sciences, humanities, and writing. In addition, because astronomy graduate programs are highly competitive, beginning research early in an academic career can be very beneficial. Students should be open to interning at astronomy labs, working with professors on research projects, and/or completing an undergraduate thesis project to make themselves more competitive for these graduate programs. Some Ph.D. programs will require students to complete a Master's of Science degree prior to entering a Ph.D. program, while others only require a Bachelor's degree.

Astronomy positions require a Ph.D. in the field of astronomy, which usually takes 5-7 years to complete. These programs are likely to contain courses in astrophysics, stellar and planetary physics, galaxies, cosmology, interstellar medium, and optics. Mathematics and computer science are also emphasized.

After completing a Ph.D. program, aspiring astronomers often enter one or more postdoctoral research positions. These take roughly 2-3 years to complete. Postdoctoral scholars work under senior astronomers before taking on more complex projects. Astronomers who are employed by the federal government may need to obtain proper security clearance.