The Astronomy and Astrophysics major provides a broad overview of the application of physics to understanding the physical universe. It aims to provide a balance of knowledge and skills. Central areas of knowledge include: the physics of radiation; celestial mechanics and fluid dynamics; structure and evolution of planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, and the universe; design of and analysis of data from telescopes and similar instruments. Mathematical, computational and experimental skills include: problem solving, data gathering, data analysis, and instrument design. The major will prepare students for a variety of careers in areas in which the physical sciences are important, including: research, teaching, and industry.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe and explain the basic properties of astrophysical objects, including planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, and the universe as a whole.
- Apply the principles of physics to solve problems pertaining to the behaviour of these objects, and to make predictions about their evolution.
- Describe and explain the operation of telescopes and related instruments for observing astronomical phenomena.
- Use mathematical, computational and experimental skills to solve conceptual and quantitative problems in astrophysics.
- Demonstrate skills including: equipment familiarity, data gathering, record keeping, data analysis, dealing with uncertainty, experiment design, and comparison with theory.
- Analyse unfamiliar astrophysical systems and provide order-of-magnitude estimates of quantities. This includes a knowledge of basic physical constants and key equations.
- Be both creative and rigorous in the design and construction of scientific investigations of astrophysical systems.
- Effectively communicate astrophysical analyses to expert and non-expert audiences.
- Constructively criticise evidence, arguments and conclusions wherever they are encountered.
Other Information
Which courses should you take in first year?
This major will require you to complete the following 1000-level courses:
- MATH1013 (prerequisite for MATH1014 , PHYS1101, PHYS2013 and PHYS2020) or MATH1115 (prerequisite for MATH1116, PHYS1101, PHYS2013 and PHYS2020)
- MATH1014 Mathematics & applications 2 or MATH1116 Advanced mathematics & applications 2 (prerequisite for MATH2305, PHYS2013 and PHYS2020)
- PHYS1101 Physics I (prerequisite for PHYS1201, PHYS2013 and PHYS2020)
- PHYS1201 Physics II (prerequisite for ASTR2013, PHYS2013, PHYS2016, PHYS2020)
Note that students who complete MATH1013 or MATH1115 and PHYS1101 with grades of D or higher may be given permission to enrol in ASTR2013 in their first year.
Additional advice:
General recommendations for courses that supplement an Astronomy & Astrophysics major
- ASTR1001 - Astrophysics
- COMP1730 - Programming for Scientists
- One of the following:
- STAT1007 - Quantitative Research Methods
- STAT1003 - Statistical Techniques
- PHYS2201 - Classical Mechanics
- MATH3511 - Scientific Computing
Other recommendations for specific skillsets and interests (noting not all courses or pathways will be possible in a flexible double degree).
- 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.
Academic or enrolment advice:
Students can seek further advice from the academic contact for this major (details above), or the College of Science Student Services Team (students.cos@anu.edu.au).
Back to the topRequirements
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) have 1000-level prerequisites which must be selected in the first year of study and will contribute towards satisfying the 1000-level course requirements of the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours).
- MATH1013 (prerequisite for MATH1014 , PHYS1101, PHYS2013 and PHYS2020) or MATH1115 (prerequisite for MATH1116, PHYS1101, PHYS2013 and PHYS2020)
- MATH1014 or MATH1116 (prerequisite for MATH2305, PHYS2013 and PHYS2020)
- PHYS1101 Physics I (prerequisite for PHYS1201, PHYS2013 and PHYS2020)
- PHYS1201 Physics II (prerequisite for ASTR2013, PHYS2013, PHYS2016, PHYS2020)
The major in Astronomy and Astrophysics requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
36 units from completion of the following courses:
*ASTR2013 Foundations of Astrophysics (6 units)
ASTR3013 Astrophysical Processes (6 units)
*MATH2305 Applied Mathematics I (6 units)
*PHYS2013 Quantum Mechanics (6 units)
*PHYS2016 Electromagnetism (6 units)
*PHYS2020 Thermal and Statistical Physics (6 units)
A minimum of 6 units from completion of one of the following courses:
ASTR3002 Galaxies and Cosmology (6 units)
ASTR3007 Stars (6 units)
A maximum of 6 units from completion of one of the following courses:
ASTR3005 Astrophysics Research Topic (6 units)
EMSC3022 Planetary Science (6 units)
PHYS3057 Optical Physics (6 units)
PHYS3203 General Relativity (6 units)
PHYS3711 Fundamentals of Noise and Measurement (6 units)
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