Astronomy/Astrophysics
Offered at IU Bloomington by College of Arts and Sciences.
About
The B.S. degree in astronomy studies the entire universe: its past, present, and future. Topics covered include: the solar system (sun, planets, asteroids, and comets), the life cycles of stars, our Milky Way galaxy, other galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and the large-scale distribution of both luminous and dark matter in the universe.
Students in astronomy confront fundamental questions about the nature of our universe and our place in it. They use the telescopes at the campus observatories. Ambitious students might use and/or analyze data from the Wisconsin-Indiana-Yale-NOAO (National Optical Astronomy) Observatories, other ground-based observatories, and space-borne observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope. Students also use the extensive computing facilities in Swain Hall.
The degree prepares students for graduate study and a career in astronomy and astrophysics, as well as for careers in related technical fields including: conducting research at universities or national facilities; teaching at the college or high school level; working at planetariums and science museums; computer support positions for NASA contractors; scientific writing; positions in the aerospace, defense, surveillance, and environmental fields; and military work.