The undergraduate classes students take to earn a bachelor's of science degree prepare them to work in an astronomy- or astrophysics-related field, according to the University of Arizona. Perquisite classes include calculus, basic astronomy and physics. The introductory physics classes cover topics such as mechanics, thermodynamics and magnetism. As you advance in your undergraduate studies, your major courses will include advanced physics classes, such as quantum theory, and advanced astronomy courses that examine different types of minerals, observational astronomy and astrophysics. Depending on the school, you may have to complete an independent research project during your senior year.
It is common for educational institutions that offer an astronomy-related graduate degree to combine master's and doctoral classes into a single Ph.D. program. The American Astronomical Society reports that it can take up to six years to earn a graduate degree and that many of the classes teach students to conduct independent work. The courses also examine advanced astrophysics and astronomy topics. You may need to complete a dissertation project to earn a graduate degree. As you conduct your research, you’ll have access to the university’s astronomy equipment, including telescopes and supercomputers, and be admitted into partnering observatories.
When you enter a graduate astronomy degree program, you may have the opportunity to choose an astronomy- or astrophysics-related specialization. Such concentrations can include theoretical physics, planetary formation, star formation, cosmology or astronomical instrumentation. When you choose a specialization, the classes that you take offer a more in-depth look at the topic of interest. According to the American Astronomical Society, after your first two years of graduate school, you’ll participate in different research projects. You can use the information learned from these research projects for your graduate dissertation project.
If there is an area of research that you wish to pursue after earning a graduate degree, you can apply to a post-doctoral fellowship program. In a fellowship program, you receive a grant to conduct independent research and continue your education in the astronomy or astrophysics concentration of your choice. A fellowship can take up to three years to finish and you can complete it at the eligible institution of your choice.