for Prospective Students
The Astronomy Department pursues two equally-important goals with its program of courses and activities. One goal is to give all interested students, no matter their chosen major, an understanding of modern astronomy. A second goal is to offer a full range of courses that will prepare a serious student for graduate study and a career in astronomy.
The Department offers three introductory courses including a comprehensive survey course for scientists, and two less mathematical introductory survey courses for non-scientists, one with lab and one without lab. Although only one of these subjects has formal labs, every introductory subject includes some observing activities. Intermediate courses are appropriate for both majors and nonmajors to explore observational techniques, planetary geology, archaeoastronomy, multi-wavelength astronomy, and cosmology. Upper-level courses in astrophysics are intended primarily for majors. All courses, introductory through upper-level, are regularly updated to reflect the latest observational and theoretical advances in the field.
Department faculty and students conduct research observations using our own 24-inch Sawyer telescope on campus, as well as larger telescopes worldwide. Students have accompanied their professors to
- Lowell, Kitt Peak, Whipple, and MMT Observatories in Arizona
- Cerro Tololo Observatory in Chile
- Haystack Observatory in Westford, Massachusetts
- Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii
- McDonald Observatory in Texas
- The Very Large Array in New Mexico
In addition, faculty and students conduct research using data from space-based telescopes and probes, including
- the Hubble Space Telescope,
- the Spitzer Space Telescope, and
- the Cassini spacecraft, now in orbit around Saturn.
What does one do with an astronomy major?
Approximately half of our majors go on to graduate school and work toward a Ph.D. in astronomy or astrophysics. Graduates who completed their doctorates have gone on to work at NASA and at institutions such as Cornell University, Williams College, and Harvard University.
Those who chose not to pursue advanced degrees in astronomy apply their skills in other ways, including operating telescopes at Kitt Peak National Observatory and working as research assistants at institutions such as the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Others enjoy success in computer science, law, business, education and the Peace Corps. Their science backgrounds enable them to achieve in unlimited capacities.
Questions?
Consult the following pages, or feel free to contact any Astronomy Dept. faculty member by phone, by e-mail, or in person at the Whitin Observatory.
- Academics
- Student Research Opportunities
- People
- Wellesley College Links
