UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN ASTROPHYSICS AND PLANTARY SCIENCES
Astronomy and Astrophysics offers a rich area of study, tackling questions such as “Is there life out there among the stars?” and “How old is the Universe?”
We offer an undergraduate major, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics, as well as a minor in Astronomy. We also provide an extensive suite of courses for non-scientists, including courses in meteorology, planetary science, astrobiology and astronomy.
WHY ASTROPHYSICS AND PLANETARY SCIENCES?
Our students answers research questions like:
- What do stellar pulsations reveal about a star’s internal structure and how do they change when a companion is present?
- How can we determine the fundamental parameters of binary stars?
- How is the evolution of stars affected by them having a close companion?
- How can galactic dynamics reveal how the Local Group was assembled and shaped over cosmic time?
- What was the Solar System like when life first evolved on Earth?
On-site facilities include two 14” and two 20” telescopes, housed in two separate Mendel Science Center observatories, as well as numerous smaller portable telescopes. They are fitted on auto-guiding mounts, and feature digital instrumentation.
In addition, students regularly have access to new data from the NOAO observatories, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory and other national/international facilities via faculty research programs. Learn more about both our on- and off-site facilities.
The major includes courses in astronomy, physics, mathematics and computer science—providing a comprehensive and robust education that prepares our students for graduate school and their future careers.
Chair: Andrej Prša, PhD
Dept. of Astrophysics & Planetary Science
Villanova University
Mendel Hall, Rm. 458C
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085
