Astronomy, offered via three Physics Major tracks in the Physics and Astronomy Department and in collaboration with Harvey Mudd College, gives students tools to explore the universe.

Our unparalleled facilities include a mountain-top one-meter telescope, an on-campus observatory, a digital planetarium and an adaptive optics research laboratory.

You?ll have opportunities to do research on campus and at top astronomy facilities such as Caltech and the Carnegie observatories.

Majors earn a B.A. in physics with an astronomy, astrophysics, or Earth, planetary and space sciences track. A minor is also available.

A thesis is required and independent research encouraged, usually in conjunction with faculty research. Recent projects include monitoring active galactic nuclei, quasar absorption line spectroscopy and telescope instrument design.