Offered By	Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Academic Contact	A/Prof Paul Francis and A/Prof Lilia Ferrario
Areas of Interest	Astronomy and Astrophysics

Requirements

Astronomy and astrophysics is the study of everything beyond the Earth. It includes spaceflight, planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, dark matter, quasars, cosmology and the Big Bang.

Astronomers work in universities, at observatories, for various space agencies such as NASA and ESA, and at planetariums and science centres. Many ANU astronomy and astrophysics graduates can be found in all of these occupations.

Training in astronomy and astrophysics leaves you highly employable in many other fields, Astronomy graduates have mastered a wide range of mathematical, scientific, engineering and computational skills; this combination is very unusual and is much sought after by employers in diverse fields.

To major in astrophysics, you must take at least three of the following courses:

ASTR3002 Black Holes and the Universe

ASTR3007 From Stars to Galaxies

ASTR3005 Special Topics in Astrophysics

EMSC3022 Planetary Science

A major in astrophysics will normally be combined with a major in mathematics and/or physics.

First Year course advice

In first year, your main goal should be to get a solid foundation in Maths and Physics. You must therefore take PHYS1101, PHYS1201, one of MATH1013 or MATH1115, and one of MATH1014 or MATH1116.

First year astronomy and astrophysics is taught as a set of field trips, observing projects and guest lectures within PHYS1201: any student with an interest in astrophysics is encouraged to take this option. In addition, it may be possible to do an astrophysics research project (ASTR3005).

All astronomers should learn to program a computer, and we therefore advise students to take COMP1730 at some point during their degree.

Second Year course advice

In second year, students may take the planetary science course EMSC3022 (though they may defer taking this until third year if they wish), and again have the option of doing a research project (ASTR3005). In addition, they should continue to build up their physics and maths background by taking PHYS2013 and one of MATH2305 or MATH2405. They are also strongly encouraged to take PHYS2016, PHYS2017, PHYS2020 and one of MATH2306 or MATH2406.

Third Year Course advice

In third year, students should take ASTR3002, ASTR3007, EMSC3022, and do a research project (ASTR3005). We also particularly recommend PHYS3001, PHYS3002, PHYS3033 and PHYS3034.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2010 website applies to the 2010 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2009 website.