BA Astronomy

Pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (4-year, on-campus) offers a uniquely immersive college experience rooted in real observation, research, instrumentation, and close faculty mentorship—all made possible by Hawaiʻi’s global astronomy infrastructure.

Experiential Learning Highlights

At UH Mānoa, as a BA Astronomy student, you’ll engage directly with cutting-edge facilities, real telescopes, and professional research from year one:

• Observational Courses & the Institute for Astronomy (IfA):
  Core astronomy labs (e.g., Observational Astronomy & Lab, Observational Projects, Spectroscopy) require hands-on telescope use and data analysis under expert guidance. These courses teach planning, imaging, spectral work, and real scientific techniques. 

• Major Telescope Access via Maunakea & Haleakalā:
  IfA guarantees undergraduate access to world-class facilities on Maunakea (e.g., CFHT, Gemini North, UH88, Subaru, SMA, and more), as well as Haleakalā on Maui. You’ll participate in observation runs, work with adaptive optics, and help analyze real observational data. 

• IfA Summer REU Program (Summer 2025):
  A 10-week paid NSF-funded research internship where you work with professional astronomers on projects ranging from instrumentation design to astrophysical data analysis. Includes observing runs on Maui or Hawaiʻi Island, weekly seminars, journal clubs, and final presentations. 

• Undergraduate Research through UROP & HSGC:
  Through UHM’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and Hawaiʻi Space Grant Consortium internships, students earn stipends, receive travel/supplies funding, and work alongside faculty and research groups on astrophysics or planetary science projects. 

• Faculty-Mentored Projects & Scholarships:
  Early engagement with faculty research labs is encouraged—students often co-author papers, present at national conferences, and build professional skills. Motivated students are advised to contact professors directly to find placements.

• Community & Outreach Activities:
  IfA runs educational outreach via portable planetariums, star parties, and school visits. You may lead these as a student, gaining valuable communication and public engagement experience. 

• World-Class Library & Academic Support:
  Hamilton Library offers science collections, research guides, visualization tools, and computing labs supporting astronomy and interdisciplinary study. Major advising is provided through academic advisors assigned by IfA. 

These experiences help you:

• Operate telescopes at top-tier observatories and analyze real astrophysical data

• Build scientific programming and data-analysis skills through directed labs and REU research

• Participate in international-level instrumentation and observation projects

• Gain mentorship, presentation experience, and research funding support

• Develop outreach and science-communication skills by engaging with schools and the public

This BA program lays a flexible but hands-on foundation in astronomy, grounded in Hawaii’s distinctive astronomical resources and research community. You’ll graduate prepared for careers in science communication, technical roles in observatories or civic education, graduate studies, or interdisciplinary fields involving data and instrumentation.

The BA in Astronomy at UH Mānoa offers students a rare opportunity to study astronomy in one of the world’s most important locations for observational research. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in science education, public outreach, data analysis, and observatory operations. Common job titles include planetarium educator, telescope technician, research assistant, and science communicator. With access to world-class facilities and an emphasis on flexibility, students gain both academic depth and real-world exposure.

• Career Services Support: UH Mānoa’s Manoa Career Center offers dedicated career advising, job search resources, and internship placements with a focus on leveraging Hawai‘i’s unique science and technology sectors.

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures: Around 90% of UH Mānoa graduates are employed or in further study within six months. Astronomy graduates with hands-on or technical experience typically earn starting salaries between $55,000 and $75,000.

• University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from unparalleled proximity to Mauna Kea Observatories, which include telescopes operated by NASA, NOIRLab, Japan’s Subaru Telescope, and others. Undergraduate students often gain research experience through the Institute for Astronomy (IfA)—a major research unit on campus.

• Accreditation & Reputation: UH Mānoa is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is recognized globally for its strength in astronomy and earth sciences.

• Graduation Outcomes: Alumni have gone on to work at observatories, science centers, and in education, or pursued graduate programs in astronomy, astrophysics, and related sciences.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates of the BA in Astronomy can continue their academic journey through Master's or PhD programs in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Physics. Many students also transition into interdisciplinary graduate studies in Planetary Science, Remote Sensing, or Science Education—particularly through UH’s own Institute for Astronomy, which offers advanced degrees and research opportunities linked to the Mauna Kea telescopes.