BA / BS Astrophysics

Embarking on the BA / BS Astrophysics (4‑year, on‑campus) at the University of Chicago means immersing yourself in rigorous, hands‑on learning from Day One. You’ll be using cutting‑edge instruments, working alongside faculty research groups, and exploring data from world‑class observatories. The experience is built around active research, observational work, instrumentation, computational analysis, and strong mentoring support.

Here’s how the program weaves experiential learning into your undergraduate journey:

• Undergraduate Research Projects: Every student has the opportunity to join a faculty-led research group or contribute to a new project. Topics range from circumgalactic media and exoplanet modeling to spectrograph subsystem design and cosmic-ray detection methods.

• Mentored Research Guidance: Faculty mentoring enables students to develop independent scholarship—leading to conference presentations and potential publications.

• Departmental Research Institutes: You’ll have access to major centers like the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics, Enrico Fermi Institute (EFI), James Franck Institute, and the Flash Center—units collaborating on both theoretical and experimental astrophysics.

• Observational Facilities & National Collaborations:

  • Access to the Giant Magellan Telescope (Chile), Magellan Telescopes, South Pole Telescope, and offices including the Apache Point and Pierre Auger Observatories.

  • Partnerships with Argonne and Fermilab grant you access to high-performance computing, detector development, and nanofabrication facilities .

• Summer REU & Internship Programs: The Physics Department REU offers a 10-week research internship working directly on topics in theoretical and observational astronomy and astrophysics, including field trips to national labs. Note: the Physics REU isn’t running summer 2025, but other avenues through CCRF remain available.

• Instrumentation Development: Work hands-on with leading-edge tools such as superconducting detectors, spectrographs, and cosmic microwave background cameras through faculty projects on SPT‑3G, DAMIC‑M, and planned CMB‑S4 experiments.

• Student Astronomy Club & Observational Field Trips: The Ryerson Astronomical Society hosts weekly observation sessions in the rooftop dome at Ryerson Hall, clubs events, plus organized trips to dark-sky sites and the historic Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin.

• William Eckhardt Research Center (ERC): The Astronomy and Astrophysics Department is housed in ERC, which hosts faculty, labs, research groups, and seminar series. You'll engage in group meetings across research clusters right in this hub.

• Support from CCRF (College Center for Research & Fellowships): Specialized advising helps you find summer research placements, national fellowship applications (e.g., Goldwater, NSF GRFP), internal grants, and present your work at UChicago’s Undergraduate Research Symposium.

These experiences let you develop software proficiency (e.g. Python for data-intensive astronomy), instrumentation skills, and observational techniques—all while working collaboratively on cutting-edge science.

University of Chicago’s BA and BS in Astrophysics equip students with the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in research, education, and a wide range of scientific and technical careers. Graduates are ready to take on the universe—literally! You’ll find alumni excelling as research scientists, data analysts, science educators, and even scientific journalists. Many go on to top graduate programs in physics, astronomy, or engineering, while others launch successful careers in government service or interdisciplinary fields like medical physics and environmental science.

Here’s how UChicago helps you launch your future:

• Personalised Career Support: The university’s career services and faculty-led research projects give you hands-on experience and direct mentorship, helping you build a standout résumé and professional network.

• Impressive Graduate Outcomes: UChicago astrophysics graduates are well-prepared for advanced study or immediate entry into technical and analytical roles, thanks to rigorous training in computational methods, data analysis, and experimental techniques.

• Industry and Research Partnerships: You’ll have opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research, both on campus and through programs like the Paris Astronomy Program, which broadens your academic and cultural horizons.

• Accreditation & Lasting Value: Both the BA and BS degrees are fully recognised in the US and internationally, ensuring your qualification opens doors worldwide.

• Versatile, In-Demand Skills: You’ll graduate with a profound understanding of universal physical laws, computational and statistical expertise, and practical experience in experimental and observational astrophysics—skills valued in science, tech, education, and beyond.

Further Academic Progression: After earning your BA or BS in Astrophysics at UChicago, you’ll be exceptionally well-prepared to pursue a master’s in astrophysics, astronomy, physics, or related fields at leading institutions. You’ll also be ready for professional programs in engineering, education, or data science, all supported by UChicago’s world-class faculty, research culture, and global reputation.