A physics degree,specifically for astronomy?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Muzzy A
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    Astronomy Physics
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the educational pathways for someone interested in pursuing a physics degree with a focus on astronomy. Participants explore options for on-campus education, the relevance of specific degrees, and the necessary qualifications for entering the field of astronomy research.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to learn physics for personal research in astronomy, emphasizing the importance of on-campus learning over online courses.
  • Another participant suggests that the location of the school may be relevant and encourages sharing geographical preferences for tailored advice.
  • A participant mentions the availability of specific astronomy degrees in the Netherlands, indicating that international options exist but may not be suitable for everyone.
  • There is a suggestion that to pursue a career in astronomy research, one would need to earn a bachelor's degree in physics and subsequently apply to graduate programs in astronomy, highlighting the academic prerequisites involved.
  • One participant notes that the original poster is not currently qualified to apply to graduate schools in astronomy, as it requires a foundation in physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the necessity of a physics background for pursuing astronomy, but there is no consensus on the best educational path or specific institutions to recommend.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the specific qualifications needed for graduate programs and the varying definitions of what constitutes a suitable degree for astronomy. The discussion does not resolve the best approach to selecting a school or program.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in pursuing a degree in physics with an emphasis on astronomy, especially those considering their educational options and career paths in related fields.

Muzzy A
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Hi my name is TJ, friends call me Muzzy, and I'm a programmer. I love programming. I love physics, but my knowledge of physics is well... very bad lol. I don't really plan to start a career somewhere as a physicist, but I want to learn it for my own research involving astronomy. I'm fascinated with astronomy and want to understand more about the universe through physics and also implement it in computer programs/simulations.

I'm not looking for an online course, I really want to be on campus, because as much as I wish I could, I can't learn complex things just by reading about it.

I've looked online, there are so many different places to go, I don't know which to pick. Should I go to a school that teaches astronomy? or does it matter?
 
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Hey Muzzy A and welcome to the forums.

You might want to tell us where you reside so that you can get more specific suggestions.
 
I'm in florida right now attending Full Sail University for game development. I'll be graduating pretty soon and want to further my education from there. I'm open to any place, there's no specific area I'm looking for. I'm just looking for the best possible school to go to for what I'm interested in.

EDIT:
I've taken a small amount of linear algebra,calculus, and physics. Basically enough to make game physics seem real.
 
Last edited:
Muzzy A said:
I'm open to any place

We have specific Astronomy degrees here in the Netherlands, although that might just be a little too far from home for your taste. :wink:
 
Yeah, i guess i could have said U.S. only lol. I don't want to leave my country for it. :P
 
It sounds like you're talking about getting a job in astronomy research. Is that the case? If so, you'd need to go earn a bachelors in physics and then apply to graduate programs in astronomy. You're not currently qualified to apply to grad schools in astronomy; astronomy is a sub-field of physics, and you will be taking graduate level physics courses to earn a PhD in astronomy.
 

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