Still confused: Physics or Astronomy?

[starstruck_]

Hey everyone!
In a dilemma again, oops.
I'm in the physics and astronomy program in university - going into my second year. I've completed courses for Astronomy and Physics in first year (same courses except astronomy has an extra - astronomy- course).

Now that I'm selecting courses for second year, stuff starts to branch out a bit. Where the astronomy stream has an astronomy course, physics has an extra lab course.

I'm not sure which of the streams to choose.
I do want to take a cosmology course in 4th year but I'm sure I can do that in either stream.
From your personal experience/ the skills that either major would allow you to achieve, what major would you suggest?

I may or may not go for gradschool afterward (I am also simultaneously enrolled in a concurrent BEd. program so I'll have a teaching degree as well when I graduate).

 

[jambaugh]

Let me tell you exactly what you should do... after all I know you better than you know yourself and ... wait! ? No I don't. I don't see much difference in the two paths if you are not going into future graduate studies and research. So pick the one you'd rather do IF you go on to do graduate work.

If you are still can't decide then flip a coin. (You flip it, and pay close attention to how disappointed or excited you feel about how it lands. That'll tell you what you really want to do.)

 

[vela]

Avoid the decision and just do both.

 

[alantheastronomer]

Unless you want to be an astronomer, choose physics. There are very few jobs in astronomy, while physics jobs, including in the field of education, are plentiful.

 

[starstruck_]

Unless you want to be an astronomer, choose physics. There are very few jobs in astronomy, while physics jobs, including in the field of education, are plentiful.

Even if you choose to do grad school? Are astronomy jobs more plentiful then- I’m assuming both streams allow me to pursue cosmology later on?

Honestly the only thing holding astronomy higher than physics is because I landed a research job in first year that I’ll continue to have.

 

[alantheastronomer]

Even if you choose to do grad school? Are astronomy jobs more plentiful then

I assumed you were going to grad school - there are courses in physics in high schools, so there's a demand for high school physics teachers; there is no corresponding demand for astronomy teachers...

I'm assuming both streams allow me to pursue cosmology later on?

Yes they will - that's the reason I suggested physics over astronomy; it provides you with more options without limiting your choices. I can tell by your moniker where your true passion lies...so if you prefer astronomy then by all means follow your heart, but choosing a path in physics won't preclude you from doing that.

 

[starstruck_]

I assumed you were going to grad school - there are courses in physics in high schools, so there's a demand for high school physics teachers; there is no corresponding demand for astronomy teachers... Yes they will - that's the reason I suggested physics over astronomy; it provides you with more options without limiting your choices. I can tell by your moniker where your true passion lies...so if you prefer astronomy then by all means follow your heart, but choosing a path in physics won't preclude you from doing that.

Thank you! This was extremely helpful!

I’ve looked through the course calendars and it’s a pretty big difference come third and fourth year, I’ll just stick to physics and take that cosmology course or some other astronomy courses in 4/5th year. Best of both worlds? xD