Astrophysicist Salary: Opportunities & Income

[BioCore]

simple put thinkies, MD (Medical Doctorate) is just a general program with classes and then at the end practical experience. PhD. as an actual research program where you make a thesis that you will prove or disprove in certain times.

 

[thinkies]

Chroot, thanks a bunch for those multiple answers you are providing, very useful, thanks a bunch. Hmm now, what do you think of aerospace medicine? Is it a good field,beside its relevant with space and medicine...can i get a master degree in that with a ph.d degree in astronomy/astrophysics? does that sound good...?

 

[thinkies]

simple put thinkies, MD (Medical Doctorate) is just a general program with classes and then at the end practical experience. PhD. as an actual research program where you make a thesis that you will prove or disprove in certain times.

Thanks, also, what are your thoughts regarding aerospace medicine?

Thanks ;)

 

[thinkies]

also, what about his salary( aerospace medicine specialist)?? xxx xxx $ :P?
IM *not* being greedy...but hey, i want a to have a flexible life in future...u know ...o.0

 

[chroot]

Chroot, thanks a bunch for those multiple answers you are providing, very useful, thanks a bunch. Hmm now, what do you think of aerospace medicine? Is it a good field,beside its relevant with space and medicine...can i get a master degree in that with a ph.d degree in astronomy/astrophysics? does that sound good...?

No, it doesn't sound good. I'd say (as I've said about ten times already) that you're far too young to be trying to figure out your educational career for the next two decades. You don't even know what the degrees are, much less whether or not you can or will obtain them. Chill out. You've got three years of high school left, so concentrate on them.

And no, you generally cannot obtain a master's degree in one field and then obtain a Ph.D. in another, unless the fields are exceptionally closely related. You're not going to be able to go from medicine to astrophysics, no matter how smart you are -- it just isn't possible. You seem to be drastically underestimating the amount of education that goes into being a practicing doctor, or a professional astrophysicst. Each of those careers require something like 10 years of highly specialized education. If you want both degrees, you will probably need to spend twenty or more years in a university, not making a dime. Since you seem so highly motivated by money, it doesn't sound reasonable at all.

You should also realize that in the physical sciences, a master's degree is often given as a "consolation prize." In other words, everyone attempts to obtain a Ph.D., and if you fail for some reason, you're kicked out and given a master's. If you decide to pursue astrophysics, you will need to pursue it whole-heartedly, starting in the later years of your undergraduate degree.

You will almost assuredly have to abandon these wacky ideas about obtaining multiple degrees in totally disparate fields. It isn't a menu -- you don't just go to a university and order a master's in one thing, an MD, and then top it off with a Ph.D. in astrophysics.

- Warren

 

[chroot]

also, what about his salary( aerospace medicine specialist)?? xxx xxx $ :P?
IM *not* being greedy...but hey, i want a to have a flexible life in future...u know ...o.0

Aerospace medicine is still just a branch of medicine. You'll need to attend medical school, and pass the licensing exam. You'll probably make a fine salary, but I'd venture it's a pretty small field.

- Warren

 

[BioCore]

I am not sure what aerospace medicine exactly is or how good the industry is doing so won't be of much help. But you should really just take a break and relax a bit, believe me when you get int University a lot of your high school perceptions and ideas will be challenged.

I have friends who constantly talked about going into Medical school, now after their first year is almost over they are thinking of doing pharmacy, some are thinking of actually going into a different field such as chemistry.

 

[thinkies]

No, it doesn't sound good. I'd say (as I've said about ten times already) that you're far too young to be trying to figure out your educational career for the next two decades. You don't even know what the degrees are, much less whether or not you can or will obtain them. Chill out. You've got three years of high school left, so concentrate on them.

And no, you generally cannot obtain a master's degree in one field and then obtain a Ph.D. in another, unless the fields are exceptionally closely related. You're not going to be able to go from medicine to astrophysics, no matter how smart you are -- it just isn't possible. You seem to be drastically underestimating the amount of education that goes into being a practicing doctor, or a professional astrophysicst. Each of those careers require something like 10 years of highly specialized education. If you want both degrees, you will probably need to spend twenty or more years in a university, not making a dime. Since you seem so highly motivated by money, it doesn't sound reasonable at all.

You should also realize that in the physical sciences, a master's degree is often given as a "consolation prize." In other words, everyone attempts to obtain a Ph.D., and if you fail for some reason, you're kicked out and given a master's. If you decide to pursue astrophysics, you will need to pursue it whole-heartedly, starting in the later years of your undergraduate degree.

You will almost assuredly have to abandon these wacky ideas about obtaining multiple degrees in totally disparate fields. It isn't a menu -- you don't just go to a university and order a master's in one thing, an MD, and then top it off with a Ph.D. in astrophysics.

- Warren

Well, I am happy to clear those many misconceptions i had...also $ is NOT MUCH of a motivatin, neither my top-commitment...

1 last questions...=.=,hopefully, is radiology related with physics? if so,as you mentioned,if those 2 fields are closely related, i will be able to get a master degree in radiology and a phd in astronomy/astrophysics...?i can end up with those degrees the same time by having classes in those fields everyday (starting from college or w/e).
And i hope your not frustrated from my questions...though it seems like you are :(...

Thanks a bunch!

 

[chroot]

Well, I am happy to clear those many misconceptions i had...also $ is NOT MUCH of a motivatin, neither my top-commitment...

Then stop asking about it.

1 last questions...=.=,hopefully, is radiology related with physics? if so,as you mentioned,if those 2 fields are closely related,

They are not closely related at all.

i will be able to get a master degree in radiology and a phd in astronomy/astrophysics...?

A radiologist is a medical doctor who has specialized in radiology. It requires an undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, internship, and residency -- perhaps a total of ten to twelve years of total training. A radiologic technologist, a person who simply takes the pictures, is a relatively low-skilled profession that generally requires only a few years of training, and may not even require an undergraduate degree in some localities.

As I have said multiple times, the only way to become an astrophysicist is to obtain an undergraduate education in physics, and then attend a Ph.D. program. This is, again, ten to twelve years of total education.

THEY ARE NOT RELATED, AND DO NOT OVERLAP, IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. PERIOD.

i can end up with those degrees the same time by having classes in those fields everyday (starting from college or w/e).

You cannot do both at once. Your only hope is to do one after the other, spending approximately 20 years in school.

And i hope your not frustrated from my questions...though it seems like you are :(...

I am frustrated, because you appear to not be reading my responses at all. I keep saying the same things, over and over and over again.

- Warren

 

[Vid]

There are programs in medical physics (LSU has one for BS, MS, and Ph.D levels,) but it still doesn't make you a doctor. It just makes you a physicist who mainly does research in nuclear science with attention to medical applications.

 

[thinkies]

@chroot

Thanks for those information/tips and of course your time that you provided to answer my questions.

To hell medicine.

I will be far better in astronomy...i'll just aim 1 degree (a ph.d of course) :)

Now then, since i am keen to work as an astronomer...i was wondering how good am i going to do in this job by 2022. As of now, positions for astronomer are verry tight! Will it be the case by then (2022)?

And some websites refer that to become an astronomer, you should do a Ph.D in astronomy *OR* physics.

Does that mean doing a Ph.D. in physics will be equivalent to a Ph.D. in astronomy?

 

[chroot]

Astronomy and astrophysics are distinct professions. One is focused on the building of instruments and the acquisition of data, while the other is more theoretical. The degrees are distinct, too.

Think for a minute -- if the degrees were equivalent, why would they offer both?

- Warren

 

[cristo]

Now then, since i am keen to work as an astronomer...i was wondering how good am i going to do in this job by 2022. As of now, positions for astronomer are verry tight! Will it be the case by then (2022)?

If only I knew the answer to that! But yes, there aren't all the many jobs around at the moment. However, note that an astronomer and an astrophysicist are different people: one does more observing, whereas one does more maths! I hope that the number of jobs in science will increase in the next few years, but I can't say that it will!

And some websites refer that to become an astronomer, you should do a Ph.D in astronomy *OR* physics.

Does that mean doing a Ph.D. in physics will be equivalent to a Ph.D. in astronomy?

Well, chroot's already answered this one: the degrees aren't equivalent in that you study different things, however the different websites probably say different things since sometimes a PhD in Astrophysics may have an official title PhD in physics, whereas other times it may have the official title PhD in Astronomy.

I'd also echo chroot's advice of not trying to decide what you want to do ten years down the line, now. It's brilliant that you're interested in Astronomy now but instead of trying to plan the future, why not join an Astronomy club, or set one up in your school, and enjoy the subject. Ok, I don't know whether you've done this already or not, but what I'm trying to say is that you should take advantage of the fact that you enjoy something now, and not try to project this into the future: it will be completely normal for your ambitions to change and it would be a shame if you spent your younger days worrying about what you would do about your current love for astronomy, in the future!

 

[thinkies]

Astronomy and astrophysics are distinct professions. One is focused on the building of instruments and the acquisition of data, while the other is more theoretical. The degrees are distinct, too.

Think for a minute -- if the degrees were equivalent, why would they offer both?

- Warren

Thanks. Which one is theoretical? Astronomy?

 

[thinkies]

@ Cristo

Thanks for the reply/advice. Much appreciated...And I am already in an astronomy club...but most of the members have pretty much basic knowledge whereas I am aiming things beyond (at least things that are comprehensible to me),,,

Once again,thanks.

 

[chroot]

Astronomy is largely experimental. Astrophysics is largely theoretical.

- Warren

 

[thinkies]

Astronomy is largely experimental. Astrophysics is largely theoretical.

- Warren

Few days ago, I asked someone the difference between astrophysicist and an astronomer, the person responded that nowadays they practically study the same field and do much of a same work...Is that true..

What field would be studying star formation, galaxies stuff, cosmology, dark matter/dark energy and other stuff related with space (dark holes,etc)...? So..can we say that astrophysics and astronomy will view some stuff, but as you said above, astrophysic will tend to be theory while astronomy will tend to be experiments...?

Also,what kind of theories are viewed by astrophysicist? They evaluate existing theories?? Do they carry research...for example researching on the existence of dark matter? Or does this task belong to astronomer?..

Thanks!

P.S.: Sorry again for bumping this thread~ :(...

 

[chroot]

Astronomers are principally concerned with the design of telescopes and instruments, and the observation of astronomical objects to obtain better-quality data sets. Astrophysicists are principally concerned with the models which we use to explain phenomena like stellar evolution, galaxy formation, etc. There is indeed a lot of overlap, since the fields are interdependent.

- Warren

 

[thinkies]

Astronomers are principally concerned with the design of telescopes and instruments, and the observation of astronomical objects to obtain better-quality data sets. Astrophysicists are principally concerned with the models which we use to explain phenomena like stellar evolution, galaxy formation, etc. There is indeed a lot of overlap, since the fields are interdependent.

- Warren

So let's say if i was to have a ph.d in astrophysics, can i be somewhat illegible to work as an astronomer and vice-versa...they both aim ph.d in physics...

 

[thinkies]

http://www.schoolsintheusa.com/careerprofiles_details.cfm?carId=349

the above website states that even astronomer study star formation,etc (the stuff you mentioned for an astrophysicist)...

 

[thinkies]

And you have wikipedia's satement...

"Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using physical laws. Today, that distinction has mostly disappeared."

 

[chroot]

Again, they're studying the same objects and phenomena. One is more oriented towards using instruments and gathering data, while the other is more concerned with the modeling and underlying physical mechanisms.

It's like saying that both neurologists and neurosurgeons are concerned with disorders of the brain. Yes, that's true, but they have very different approaches.

- Warren

 

[Riogho]

enjoy what you do for a living because most likely you will be doing it for a long time. I would rather make decent money($70,000) and like what I do than make $300,000 and absolutely hate what I do.

Actually, I'd do what I hated to do for about 5 years then quit and live the rest of my life on my 1.5 million bucks :D

 

[chroot]

"Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using physical laws. Today, that distinction has mostly disappeared."

That seems to be exactly what I've said three times now.

- Warren

 

[thinkies]

Thanks chroot. On the brighter side,...it seems like astronomer make kinda bit more then astrophysicist... and their 'approach' is quit not though,where as the other one deals with models,extreme math equations(though both deal with math for sure...)...

Thanks again.

 

[thinkies]

Actually, I'd do what I hated to do for about 5 years then quit and live the rest of my life on my 1.5 million bucks :D

You definitely won't have much to spend your rest of your life with a 1.5 million ... =.=...
Plus, why don't you substract the cost of insurance you'll pay for the 1.5 million...o.0?!?...

 

[thinkies]

That seems to be exactly what I've said three times now.

- Warren

Um hey...^.^ here i am once more to disturb you...sorry

But for a question i posted earlier, is it possible that i can work as an astronomer with a astrophysics ph.d and vice-versa...??

 

[chroot]

But for a question i posted earlier, is it possible that i can work as an astronomer with a astrophysics ph.d and vice-versa...??

I'd imagine so, but I am neither an astronomer nor an astrophysicist. We have other members here who are, so perhaps they can chime in.

- Warren

 

[thinkies]

Thanks for "numerous' answers you provided...

Weird that no astronomer/astrophysicist came to answer my thread :(...

 

[rudinreader]

Weird that no astronomer/astrophysicist came to answer my thread :(...

But no astronauts answered your thread either when you said you were interested in "Aerospace Medicine".

Astrophysics should not even be a vocabulary word for you. You should be more worried about manipulating vectors, and Newton's laws, and calculus. If you were worried about that, you would definitely find people on PF to discuss (not necessarily astronauts or medical doctors).

If you master the basics of physics and calculus, only then will a physicist be appropriate for telling you what comes next.

Anyways the economics of physics is not just about money: it's hard. A lot of people decide not to study physics because it's "too hard". That's why you have to be grounded in the basics of physics before a physicist can give you better career advice than a janitor..