Ariana
What careers are open to a physics major?
I'd like to go into Astronomy/Astrophysics but the college I'm attending does not offer that major. So what possible jobs are open to someone with a physics undergrad? #college #college-major #physics #astronomy
2 answers
James Streuli
James’s Answer
Typically colleges don't offer an "astrophysics" major, per sey. You'll find "astronomer" which is virtually the same thing, but not many schools offer that. What you're looking for is a straight "physics" major as an undergrad. Most, if not all universities offer courses dealing with astrophysics within the major.
What you want to do is make sure that you have an extensive computational background and very good analytical skills. Those types of things are in high demand in almost all industries. Many physics undergrads go into the financial sector, defense, insurance, or some type of STEM related field like engineering
Kelly Desso
Kelly’s Answer
Just wanted to pitch in and say that I don't quite agree with the first response. There are indeed top-notch universities out there that have astrophysics as a major. Here are some of the big names that are known for their stellar astrophysics programs:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Princeton University
- Harvard University
- University of Cambridge
- University of California, Berkeley
- Stanford University
- University of Chicago
- University of Oxford
- Yale University
And that's just the tip of the iceberg! There are plenty more universities with robust astrophysics programs. I'd suggest doing a bit of homework on each program to find the one that best matches your academic and career aspirations.
If I found myself in a school that didn't offer the major I wanted, I'd consider switching schools. I remember when I was an undergrad, I was swayed by factors like location, cost, and family values when picking a school. But when I realized I wasn't happy, I made the move to a school and program that offered exactly what I wanted in a curriculum.
So, for anyone in a similar situation, I'd recommend taking a good look at the graduation requirements listed on your prospective school's website. If they don't align with what you want to learn or the field you want to enter, don't hesitate to find a school that does.