BS in Astrophysics

Experiential Learning Highlights

• Faculty‑Mentored Research from Year One
  Students are encouraged to join research groups early on in topics like galaxies, stars, cosmology, exoplanets, instrumentation, and astrophysical simulations. Many undergraduates contribute to real projects, co-author papers, or present research at student and professional conferences.

• Instrumentation & Data Projects via the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT)
  UMass serves as the U.S. partner for Mexico’s 50 m LMT. Undergraduates may engage in instrument development, data reduction, and observation planning for millimeter-wave research.

• Observatory Labs & Community Astronomy Nights
  Astronomy students use the campus Orchard Hill Observatory (16‑inch telescope with CCD) for lab-based data collection, astrophotography projects, and public observing events hosted by the university and Five College Astronomy Club.

• Computational Astrophysics & Shared HPC Access
  Through the College’s computing facilities, students work with simulation tools and datasets—modeling cosmic structure formation, galaxy evolution, or LMT data using UMass’s high-performance research clusters.

• Summer Undergraduate Research Internships
  Students participate in a 10-week Five-College astronomy research internship, engaging in multi-wavelength data projects, instrumentation studies, and modeling—all within a cohort-based setting, with stipends and professional workshops.

• Seminars, Journal Clubs & Research Community
  Weekly astronomy colloquia, journal clubs, and astrophysics-focused events foster active discussion and integration with faculty, graduate students, and visiting scholars.

• Capstone & Honors Research Opportunities
  Qualified students may pursue honors-level, year-long research projects culminating in a thesis and presentation under faculty mentorship.

Through this hands-on approach, the program prepares you to:

• Operate real telescopic instruments and conduct observational astronomy
• Analyze and simulate astrophysical data using modern computational tools
• Develop strong scientific research skills and communicate findings effectively
• Build a competitive application portfolio for graduate programs or astrophysical careers
• Network with mentors, researchers, and peers in a vibrant research community

The BS in Astrophysics at UMass Amherst combines rigorous coursework with immersive, research-based experiences—making it a strong stepping-stone toward careers or further study in astrophysics and space science.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

Graduates of UMass Amherst’s BS in Astrophysics program are exceptionally well-prepared for graduate-level study or technical roles in scientific research, space science, and data-driven industries. With a curriculum strongly grounded in physics, mathematics, and astronomy, students develop essential analytical, computational, and observational skills.

• Career Services Support: Physics majors benefit from structured advising (with each student assigned a faculty advisor for the duration of their degree) plus required professional development seminars like Physics 185 and Physics 397P. The College of Natural Sciences Career Advising Center and Handshake platform facilitate internships and job placement, including outreach events and alumni networking.
• Employment Stats & Salary Figures: While program‑specific placement is not published, UMass Amherst reports ~87% of undergraduates earn field-related outcomes within six months of graduation—for STEM pathways often translating to starting salaries between $60,000 and $85,000 
• University–Industry & Research Partnerships: Students engage in hands-on research at facilities like Orchard Hill Observatory and the Five-College Astronomy facilities. The program includes access to UMass’s U.S. partnership in the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) in Mexico, with undergraduates participating in instrumentation projects, data collection, and scientific publications.
• Accreditation & Long-Term Value: UMass Amherst is a Carnegie R1 research university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the astrophysics track is explicitly designed for students preparing to pursue advanced research careers.
• Graduation Outcomes: Alumni frequently continue to competitive graduate programs or begin technical careers in observatory operations, aerospace research, national labs, or science outreach. Undergraduate-led publications and research experience strengthen their academic and professional profiles.

Further Academic Progression:

Graduates of UMass Amherst’s BS in Astrophysics track are exceptionally prepared to pursue Master’s or PhD programs in Astrophysics, Astronomy, or Physics, including UMass’s own graduate offerings. The curriculum builds directly into advanced coursework—such as ASTRON core sequences and graduate-level physics/math topics—forming a strong academic bridge to research-intensive graduate study.

Additionally, the program supports exploration of interdisciplinary graduate studies, including:

• Planetary Science, leveraging observational and computational background
• Data Science or Computational Astrophysics, using UMass’s high‑performance cluster experience.
• Space policy or science communication, drawing on college-level research and outreach involvement.

UMass’s faculty-led projects—such as the LMT collaboration—frequently offer pathways into collaborative graduate initiatives, including honors theses and REU-like internships applied toward advanced study preparation