Physics and Astronomy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Explore the foundational principles that govern the physical universe through a rigorous academic journey in physics and astronomy. This program integrates advanced theoretical frameworks with empirical investigation to deepen understanding of matter, energy, space, and time across cosmic and subatomic scales.

• Astronomy: The study of celestial objects, their formation, evolution, and dynamics, including stars, galaxies, and the large-scale structure of the cosmos.
• Calculus: A branch of mathematics essential for modeling continuous change, providing the quantitative foundation for physical laws and dynamic systems.
• Cosmology: The scientific exploration of the origin, structure, evolution, and ultimate fate of the universe, grounded in observational and theoretical physics.
• Differential Equations: Mathematical tools used to describe how physical quantities change over time and space, critical for modeling systems in mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum theory.
• Electricity and Magnetism: Core areas of classical physics examining the behavior of electric charges, currents, and magnetic fields, and their interplay in electromagnetic phenomena.
• Data Analysis: Techniques for interpreting experimental and observational data, including statistical methods and computational modeling to validate physical theories.
• Physics: The fundamental science investigating matter, energy, motion, and the forces that shape the natural world across all scales.
• Quantum Mechanics: A theoretical framework explaining the behavior of particles at atomic and subatomic levels, where classical physics fails to provide accurate predictions.
• Space Science: An interdisciplinary field studying space environments, planetary systems, and the physical processes occurring beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
• Spectroscopy: The analysis of light-matter interactions to determine the composition, temperature, and motion of astronomical and laboratory-based systems.
• Thermal Physics: The study of heat, temperature, and energy transfer, encompassing thermodynamics and statistical mechanics to explain macroscopic behavior from microscopic principles.