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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of Colorado BoulderThe BA in Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder is a four-year, on-campus program that provides core training in astronomy, mathematics, physics, and computational and instrumental technology. Students develop a unified understanding of solar and space sciences, planetary systems, stellar and galactic astronomy, and cosmology. The program offers hands-on experience with telescopes, optics, instrumentation, computer image processing, and modelling, preparing graduates for careers in academia, aerospace, technical, and computing industries, or for further graduate study.
Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: Courses include ASTR 1030 Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 1, APPM 1350 or MATH 1300 Calculus 1, PHYS 1115 or PHYS 1110 General Physics 1, and general education skills or electives. In the spring, students take ASTR 1040 Accelerated Introductory Astronomy 2, Calculus 2, General Physics 2, Experimental Physics 1, and further general education courses.
Year 2: Students complete ASTR 2600 Introduction to Scientific Programming, PHYS 2170 Foundations of Modern Physics, PHYS 2150 Experimental Physics 2, Calculus 3, and a sequence in an ancillary science such as chemistry, biology, geology, or atmospheric sciences. The spring semester includes ASTR 2100 or ASTR 3400 Fundamental Concepts in Astrophysics or Research Methods in Astronomy, ASTR 3800 Introduction to Scientific Data Analysis and Computing, a 2000-level ASTR course, and continued ancillary science and general education courses.
Year 3: Upper-division courses such as ASTR 3720 Planets and Their Atmospheres or ASTR 3730 Astrophysics 1 – Stellar and Interstellar, ASTR 3750 Planets, Moons, and Rings or ASTR 3830 Astrophysics 2 – Galactic and Extragalactic are taken, along with electives, minor courses, and general education requirements.
Year 4: Students finish with multiple upper-division ASTR electives, additional electives or minor courses, and options for independent study or research. The total program requires 121–125 credit hours.
Focus areas: Solar and space sciences, planetary systems, stellar and galactic astronomy, cosmology, computational methods, and instrumentation. Students can pursue a general astronomy track or an astrophysics/physics track.
Learning outcomes: Graduates will be able to solve quantitative and conceptual problems in astrophysics and planetary sciences using appropriate models, theories, and technical approaches. They will analyse and evaluate scientific information to address questions at the forefront of astronomy, follow scientific practices in experimentation and data analysis, communicate scientific concepts to both experts and general audiences, and use computational programming for quantitative analysis and data visualisation.
Professional alignment (accreditation): The curriculum fulfils natural sciences and quantitative reasoning requirements for general education and is designed to prepare students for graduate study or technical careers in academia, aerospace, and computing industries.
Reputation: The University of Colorado Boulder is widely recognised as a top university in the exploration and study of space, ranked #1 public university for NASA research funds, and offers students access to faculty engaged in leading research and space missions.
The University of Colorado Boulder’s BA in Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences provides exceptional access to cutting-edge facilities that empower you to gain hands-on experience in observational astronomy, instrumentation, and computational research—all essential for a successful career in space science. You’ll work with advanced telescopes, instrumentation labs, and powerful computing resources, collaborating on real scientific projects alongside expert faculty.
Here’s what you can expect in terms of facilities and experiential learning:
Sommers-Bausch Observatory: On-campus observatory featuring a 24-inch telescope and modern 20-inch Planewave CDK telescopes for student observing and research.
Apache Point Observatory (ARC 3.5m Telescope): Access to a professional remote observatory in New Mexico for advanced observational projects.
Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope: Opportunities to engage with solar astronomy using the world’s largest solar telescope.
CASA Advanced Research Lab: Instrumentation lab where students design, build, and test advanced scientific instruments.
LASP Space Instrumentation and Mission Operations Centre: Facilities for developing and operating spaceflight hardware and scientific payloads.
JANUS Supercomputer: High-performance computing resource for astrophysical data analysis and simulations.
Sloan Digital Sky Survey & POLARBEAR Experiment: Participation in internationally recognised research collaborations providing real data and research experience.
Faculty Mentorship and Research Collaboration: Work closely with faculty on cutting-edge projects, gaining skills in data analysis, instrumentation, and scientific communication.
Graduates of the University of Colorado Boulder’s BA in Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences are prepared for diverse careers in research, aerospace, technical industries, and science education. Alumni advance into positions with NASA, observatories, aerospace companies, and research institutions. Here’s how CU Boulder specifically supports your career progression and opportunities:
Personalised Academic and Career Support: Students complete at least 32 credit hours in Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (including 18 upper-division credits) and 9 credit hours in physics, choosing between a general astronomy or astrophysics/physics track to match their goals. Academic advising and faculty mentorship guide students through specialised tracks and research opportunities, including independent study and honours thesis options.
Strong Employment Outcomes: The program integrates hands-on learning with telescopes, optics, instrumentation, computer image processing, and computational modeling, preparing graduates for technical and research roles. CU Boulder is the #1 public university for NASA research funding, providing students with access to leading-edge projects and industry connections.
Industry & Research Partnerships: The department maintains strong partnerships with NASA, national observatories, and aerospace companies, offering collaborative research, internships, and professional networking. Students can participate in research methods courses, scientific programming, and data analysis, gaining practical experience valued by employers.
Accreditation & Lasting Value: CU Boulder is regionally accredited and nationally recognised for excellence in space science education, ensuring your degree is respected worldwide.
Graduate Outcomes: Learning outcomes include the ability to solve quantitative and conceptual problems in astrophysics and planetary sciences, conduct experiments, analyse scientific data, use computational programming for data visualisation, and communicate scientific concepts to experts and the public. Graduates often pursue further study or secure positions in research, education, aerospace, or technical fields, benefiting from the program’s strong academic reputation and industry ties.
Further Academic Progression: After earning your BA in Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at CU Boulder, you’ll be ready to pursue master’s programs in astrophysics, planetary science, astronomy, or related fields, leading to advanced research, university teaching, or leadership roles at observatories, research institutions, and space agencies.
Official transcripts from Grade 9 to Grade 11th. For 12th Grade your school counselor should send the predictedEnglish test results: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 83CommonApp personal essay (uo to 650 words)The University of Colorado Boulder requires one academic letter of recommendation which may include either a counselor recommendation or a teacher evaluation. If you choose to submit additional letters of recommendation, Admissions suggest sending no more than twoThe University of Colorado Boulder is test optional and does not require ACT or SAT scores in our review for admission. Admissions' holistic application review includes your high school GPA, course rigor, grades, letter of recommendation, and essay questionsCU Boulder participates in the Advanced Placement program of the College BoardHighlight your extracurriculars, leadership, or research experiencePortfolio, project links, or YouTube channel to enhance your application (optional)Apply via the Common AppAstronomerAstrophysicistPlanetary ScientistResearch ScientistData AnalystObservatory TechnicianScience CommunicatorPhysics TeacherSpace Industry SpecialistComputational Scientist
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