Program Overview

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Introduction to the Astronomy and Astrophysics Program

The Astronomy and Astrophysics program at Florida Tech is a research-driven, high-tech, and hands-on program that allows students to gain knowledge and real-world experience in the field. The program focuses on the study of celestial bodies beyond the Earth's solar system, including stars, planets, and galaxies, as well as their movements, origins, evolution, and physical and chemical properties.

Program Description

The Astronomy and Astrophysics program at Florida Tech is designed to prepare students for careers in academia, government, and industry, including top space agencies and research institutions involved in space exploration, stellar evolution, and research and development. The program emphasizes a rigorous education in the basic physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as a foundation for successful entry into any of the subfields of modern space and astronomical science or admission to advanced graduate programs.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the Astronomy and Astrophysics major includes classes such as:

• Observational Astronomy
• Comparative Planetology
• Orbital Mechanics The program also offers research opportunities, allowing students to undertake exciting collaborative research with a peer or professor or work independently in a topic of their choosing.

Research Opportunities

Astronomy and astrophysics students are encouraged to use Florida Tech's F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Center, which houses the Ortega telescope, to take part in research projects. These projects entail hands-on observations with our telescopes or working with data from space-based observatories such as the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes or the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a B.S. in Astronomy and Astrophysics can look forward to jobs such as:

• Astronomers
• Astrophysicists
• Data scientists
• Science educators
• College and university professors
• Space engineers
• Research scientists
• Science writers
• Environmental researchers
• Biomedical researchers

Advanced Degree Options

After receiving their Astronomy and Astrophysics B.S., many of our students continue their graduate studies at Florida Tech and other prestigious universities. Post-graduate programs our students choose include:

• Commercial Enterprise in Space, M.S.
• Physics, M.S.
• Space Sciences, M.S.

Related Programs

Students may also be interested in related programs such as:

• Astrobiology, B.S.
• Planetary Science, B.S.
• Aeronautical Science, B.S.

Conclusion

The Astronomy and Astrophysics program at Florida Tech provides students with a comprehensive education and hands-on experience in the field, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities in academia, government, and industry. With its research-driven approach and state-of-the-art facilities, the program is an excellent choice for students looking to pursue a career in astronomy and astrophysics.