Concentrating in Astronomy & Astrophysics at Harvard

Concentrating in
Astronomy & Astrophysics
at Harvard

WHAT IS ASTRONOMY?

Astronomy is the study of the universe and the various objects in it using the laws of Physics, for example:

Birth, evolution and death of stars - red giants, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes
Properties of galaxies - Milky Way Galaxy - quasars
Origin and evolution of the universe - the Big Bang

WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER CONCENTRATING IN ASTRONOMY?

It is a wonderful subject
If you enjoy Physics & Mathematics, it can be very interesting to apply these subjects in the study of Astronomy
Favorable faculty to student ratio-- there are about 40 faculty/lecturers and 30 undergraduates -- lots of faculty contact
Emphasis on student research during the Junior and Senior years
The Astronomy Department is part of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, which houses over 100 research scientists

THREE OPTIONS IN THE ASTRONOMY CONCENTRATION

Basic Concentration Relatively less demanding course requirements - meant for students who want to get a flavor of Astronomy, but do not plan to make a career in it.
Honors Concentration For more serious students, and especially those planning to go to graduate school.
Joint Honors Concentration The most frequent combination is with Physics but other combinations are also possible.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR THE ASTRONOMY CONCENTRATION?

Get started on Mathematics Courses Mathematics 1a, 1b, 21a, and 21b are required, and should preferably be completed by the end of the second year. Honors concentration also requires more advanced Mathematics courses which are usually taken in the second or third year.
Get started on Physics Courses Physics 15a (or 16), 15b and 15c are required and should preferably be completed by the end of the second year. Honors concentration also requires Physics 143a, which is often taken in the third year.
No need to take Astronomy Courses in the First Year You don't normally take any Astronomy courses until the second year, when you can take the Introductory Tutorial (Astronomy 97hf). Students with Advanced Placement in Physics may take the Introductory Tutorial in their freshman year if they wish. If you are not sure if you would like Astronomy and want to find out what the subject is like, you can try Astronomy 14 (also satisfies Science A requirement) or Science A22, A35, A36, or B17 during the first year.

For further information, please refer to the Astronomy listing in Fields of Concentration. Because the Astronomy Department is housed at the Center for Astrophysics (CfA, which is made up of the Harvard College Observatory (HCO) and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), we have access to excellent facilities and research opportunities. These include unusually complete observational capabilities (radio through gamma ray) and computer systems, including a dedicated student computer system. The CfA is adjacent to the Radcliffe Athletic Complex on Garden Street and is a short (ten minute) walk from the yard.

Astronomy Department Office:

60 Garden St.
Room P-212
495-3752
department@cfa.harvard.edu

Head Tutor:

Professor Alyssa Goodman
160 Concord Avenue
Room 330
495-9278
agoodman@cfa.harvard.edu

Click here for a description of Concentration Requirements.

Please feel free to call one of these offices if you think you might be interested in the Astronomy concentration (or a joint concentration) and if you have any questions. There is a Department brochure as well as detailed information regarding the Astronomy tutorial classes and departmental honors requirements available in the Department Office.