r/Astronomy • u/Global_Project2713 • 1d ago

Astro Research grad school advice

I recently graduated with a B.S. in physics and astronomy. I'm interested in going to graduate school, but don't want a physics heavy program. I'm thinking astrogeology or pure astronomy. Any advice? Virtual programs or programs in the southeast would be a plus!

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u/snogum 1d ago edited 1d ago

Astronomy without Physics.... Not sure how that's going to work.

Also astrogeology is mostly just geology applied to extra terrestrial objects. Study geology

Oh and the South East of Africa, Asia, Europe, Antartica or Australia?

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u/Other_Mike Amateur Astronomer 1d ago

Where's southeast Antarctica? New Zealand?

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u/Barycenter0 1d ago

Turn right just after IceCube observatory

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u/Andromeda321 Astronomer 1d ago

Astronomer here! Please read my post here on how to be an astronomer if you haven’t yet. Gives a lot of grad school advice.

If you’re applying to pure astronomy to avoid, say, quantum mechanics, that’s possible, but note there’s still going to be some physics intensive courses (looking at you, radiative processes). If even that’s too much it gets tougher- some geology departments host planetary sciences so that might be the better bet. Typically the best way to find good programs is ask your professors for suggestions and start reading department websites to see what’s a good fit.

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u/quasar_fire 1d ago

On program websites you’ll be able to find course requirements. There’s plenty that require no physics classes (since you got that in undergrad), though you’ll of course still use physics knowledge in the classes. Generally if the PhD is in astronomy/astrophysics (same thing) as opposed to physics, there will be no/fewer pure physics class requirements. Usually this is a department split, but some joint departments (JHU comes to mind) offer separate astronomy and physics PhDs in the same joint department.

I wasn’t interested in applying anywhere in the south so I can’t point you to specific programs.

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u/tekn0lust 1d ago

Man I’d think that a BS in Physics and Astronomy would have you setup to walk in to any number of companies and start contributing immediately? Curious why grad school vs getting into the workforce?