Major in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Explore the possibilities of science from astronomy to zoology and everything in between with our most flexible science degree. Tailor a program to your unique interests while giving you the broad critical-thinking and problem-solving skills needed for the workforce.
Student opportunity type
Degree level
About
Students in the ANU Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) program can choose to undertake a Major in Astronomy & Astrophysics. In addition to the general recommendations on that page (especially at least one COMP course, 2nd-year PHYS and MATH), there are a few other recommendations for specific skillsets and interests:
- For astronomical instrumentation: PHYS3711, PHYS3051 and PHYS3057 should all be considered.
- For observational astrophysics: PHYS3711, and the statistics pathway STAT1008 or STAT1003, then STAT2001, STAT2008 and STAT3016.
- For theoretical astrophysics: The general relativity pathway PHYS3102 and PHYS3203, and either Physics of Matter PHYS3105 or the Quantum Field Theory pathway PHYS3101 and PHYS3201.
- For computational astrophysics: COMP1100 or COMP1130, COMP1110 or COMP1140, COMP2100 and COMP3320.
Note that high performing e.g. PhB students, some of these pre-requisites can be negotiated to be waived - most importantly STAT1008 and COMP1110.