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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 11:15 am
Usually the syllabus for a degree in astrophysics includes:
Fundamentals of Astrophysics
Solid State Physics
Relativistic Quantum Mechanics
General Relativity and Cosmology
Mathematical Methods
Classical Mechanics
Electronics (my least favorite)
Physics Lab
Statistical Physics
Stellar Physics
Galactic Dynamics
Stellar Atmospheres
and more, probably. LOL
The good thing is that you have a lot of preparation before you even get to that stuff. You could run a website, but I wouldn't put yourself through all of that just to run a website. That would be an awesome side thing. Considering the state of affairs in America, relating to this field of study and it's steady decline in funding, I would look abroad for a graduate school, and career.
Some good books for you to read:
The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene
A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe by Michael S. Schneider
The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking
All great books for people interested in astrophysics. I could have just read those and been partially satisfied. haha!
Good luck to you!
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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 11:52 am
"Just" to run a website? Some people make bank running websites. The point is, you can get creative with your application of your education. You could be a writer, a teacher, a researcher, work for NASA, etc. You don't have to pigeon hole yourself. If you like it, study it. If you are iffy about it, do something else.
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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 4:35 pm
(December 31, 2011 at 4:44 am)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: Oh - one more thing. If you're not involved in a local amateur astronomy group, I would recommend it. You can do useful research as an amateur.
That's a great idea! I actually never thought of it. I did some googling and I found a Pro-Am Astronomy organization near my city. It is about 20-30 minutes drive. There is no qualification to be a member and the yearly fee for membership is extremely cheap, for students it is only 27 USD. It is a pro-am collaborations. I'm definitely checking it out. I think I will also help me decide if I want to major in astronomy or not.
(December 31, 2011 at 4:37 am)Chuck Wrote: I considered majoring in astronomy in college, until I realized that
1. There is no career that would interest me without a PhD
2. There are about 30 job openings each year in the WORLD, POSSIBLY THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE, for astronomy PhDs.
(December 31, 2011 at 4:53 am)5thHorseman Wrote: Its well known in the uk that physics, maths, engineering and economics students are at the top of graduate employment statistics, so go for it.
And phds astrophysicists are liked in quant finance jobs and earn shit loads.
I'm having a little facts confusion here. So job openings is extremely rare except for the UK?
(December 31, 2011 at 11:15 am)aleialoura Wrote: Usually the syllabus for a degree in astrophysics includes:
Fundamentals of Astrophysics
Solid State Physics
Relativistic Quantum Mechanics
General Relativity and Cosmology
Mathematical Methods
Classical Mechanics
Electronics (my least favorite)
Physics Lab
Statistical Physics
Stellar Physics
Galactic Dynamics
Stellar Atmospheres
and more, probably. LOL
The good thing is that you have a lot of preparation before you even get to that stuff. You could run a website, but I wouldn't put yourself through all of that just to run a website. That would be an awesome side thing. Considering the state of affairs in America, relating to this field of study and it's steady decline in funding, I would look abroad for a graduate school, and career.
Some good books for you to read:
The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene
A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe by Michael S. Schneider
The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking
All great books for people interested in astrophysics. I could have just read those and been partially satisfied. haha!
Good luck to you!
Wow......that looks pretty dreadful. And thanks I will check out those books. I read a lot by Carl Sagan lol.
(December 31, 2011 at 11:52 am)Shell B Wrote: "Just" to run a website? Some people make bank running websites. The point is, you can get creative with your application of your education. You could be a writer, a teacher, a researcher, work for NASA, etc. You don't have to pigeon hole yourself. If you like it, study it. If you are iffy about it, do something else.
What do you mean by running a website? What sort of website? I'm pretty ignorant on that subject. And I think if I could just get through with all the school for it, I would probably be able to find a way to make a living lol..I hope
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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 4:41 pm
It can be dreadful. LOL You sound like you're up for doing your research and making sure it's right for you. That's awesome. Wish I had done that!
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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 4:55 pm
(December 31, 2011 at 3:17 am)passionatefool Wrote: I love astronomy, and I can say that my passion for it really drives me. I don't think words can really express my love and fascination for astronomy which I'm sure is the case for many people as well. However, I am seriously considering majoring in astronomy and physics. But how practical is it? Very.
You may end up discovering a near-Earth object that's due to collide with our planet so far in advance it gives us time to prepare and deflect or destroy the celestial entity with nuclear weapons.
Who knows? You could make the 'world of difference'. Literally.
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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 5:02 pm
'I'm having a little facts confusion here. So job openings is extremely rare except for the UK?'
No no no, I only say the UK because i know a physics Phd graduate and know that banks love his type as do all employers in the uk especially IT firms, where i live in Cambridge, they advertise everywhere for Maths and Physics(including Astro) grads for graduate developer jobs, you wouldnt guess that a recession had hit that industry  . Look at the skills Physics grads learn, analytical and logical thinking abilities, advanced IT skills that overlap into every part of life.
Physics opens so many doors that other degrees cannot, go for it, i would if i was you.
I only say the UK because i have no idea about other job markets and wouldn't give someone false hope, but it's an educated guess
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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 5:06 pm
(This post was last modified: December 31, 2011 at 5:12 pm by passionatefool.)
(December 31, 2011 at 4:41 pm)aleialoura Wrote: It can be dreadful. LOL You sound like you're up for doing your research and making sure it's right for you. That's awesome. Wish I had done that!
Lol well I would hate to spend all those times in school just to be disappointed and become a bitter world-hating old man! How long did you go to school for astronomy/physics before you decided to drop out?
(December 31, 2011 at 4:55 pm)Welsh cake Wrote: (December 31, 2011 at 3:17 am)passionatefool Wrote: I love astronomy, and I can say that my passion for it really drives me. I don't think words can really express my love and fascination for astronomy which I'm sure is the case for many people as well. However, I am seriously considering majoring in astronomy and physics. But how practical is it? Very.
You may end up discovering a near-Earth object that's due to collide with our planet so far in advance it gives us time to prepare and deflect or destroy the celestial entity with nuclear weapons.
Who knows? You could make the 'world of difference'. Literally.
hmmm how likely is it for such event to occur? Lol not that i really want it to happen. It reminds me of the movie Deep Impact (1998)
(December 31, 2011 at 5:02 pm)5thHorseman Wrote: 'I'm having a little facts confusion here. So job openings is extremely rare except for the UK?'
No no no, I only say the UK because i know a physics Phd graduate and know that banks love his type as do all employers in the uk especially IT firms, where i live in Cambridge, they advertise everywhere for Maths and Physics(including Astro) grads for graduate developer jobs, you wouldnt guess that a recession had hit that industry . Look at the skills Physics grads learn, analytical and logical thinking abilities, advanced IT skills that overlap into every part of life.
Physics opens so many doors that other degrees cannot, go for it, i would if i was you.
I only say the UK because i have no idea about other job markets and wouldn't give someone false hope, but it's an educated guess
Hmmm well you know. I would not mind working somewhere in the UK at all! I bet I would like it. Though I do prefer something specific for my major. My impossible dream however is to be a NASA researcher, though with all these cuts on budget for NASA, I wouldnt be surprise if it diminished to nothing by the time i graduate.
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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Also, (i'm presuming you are a lesser human then I (An American)) You would actually be doing your country a service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70KhYzBhT4
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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 5:17 pm
19 months total. So, not relatively long. I've been in college for 5 1/2 years. I got a degree in psychology first, and I've been swimming around in uncertainty since. I am digging anthro, though.
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RE: How practical is it to major in astrophysics?
December 31, 2011 at 6:48 pm
(This post was last modified: December 31, 2011 at 6:49 pm by passionatefool.)
(December 31, 2011 at 5:13 pm)5thHorseman Wrote: Also, (i'm presuming you are a lesser human then I (An American)) You would actually be doing your country a service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70KhYzBhT4
Sorry I'm a little slow but I completely dont understand what you are trying to say.
(December 31, 2011 at 5:17 pm)aleialoura Wrote: 19 months total. So, not relatively long. I've been in college for 5 1/2 years. I got a degree in psychology first, and I've been swimming around in uncertainty since. I am digging anthro, though.
Ah okay, well im glad you finally found what you want to do. Anthropology is pretty interesting.
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