BA / BS Astrophysics

Yale University’s Astronomy and Astrophysics programs offer you access to a truly remarkable range of facilities—on campus, nationally, and internationally—ensuring you gain hands-on experience with the tools and data that drive modern astronomical discovery.

Here’s how Yale’s facilities will enrich your learning:

• Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium (LFOP): This on-campus observatory is dedicated to undergraduate education, research, and public outreach. It features a computer-controlled 0.4-meter reflecting telescope, a historic 8-inch Reed refractor, and multiple telescopes on an observing deck. The digital planetarium (Spitz SciDomeHD) is used for teaching, simulating the universe, and supporting both coursework and research.

• Yale-Keck Remote Observing Facility: Located on campus, this facility allows students and researchers to operate the powerful Keck Telescopes in Hawaii remotely, providing access to some of the world’s most advanced optical telescopes for research and coursework.

• National and International Observatory Access: Yale astronomers are routinely awarded time on major NASA and ESA space-based telescopes—including Hubble, Kepler, Chandra, RXTE, Spitzer, Herschel, and Fermi—as well as ground-based observatories such as Kitt Peak, Gemini, ALMA, and Arecibo. This gives students the chance to work with real mission data and participate in forefront research.

• SMARTS Network and Cerro Tololo Observatory: Through international collaborations, Yale maintains access to the Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System (SMARTS) in Chile, enabling long-term monitoring projects and continuous data collection.

• High-Performance Computing Facilities: Yale astrophysicists use both national and local high-performance computing resources for simulations, modelling, and data analysis, supported by the Yale Centre for Research Computing.

• Wright Lab and Experimental Facilities: For students interested in instrumentation and experimental astrophysics, Yale offers access to advanced labs and research centres, including the Wright Lab and the Yale Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics.

• Public Outreach and Community Engagement: The LFOP hosts regular public observing nights, planetarium shows, and is a hub for the undergraduate astronomy club, providing opportunities for science communication and community involvement.

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.