BA Astronomy

The BA in Astronomy at the University of Washington offers a dynamic, hands-on learning environment where you’ll develop practical skills using advanced facilities, digital tools, and collaborative research opportunities. You’ll work closely with faculty and peers in a department known for its informal, supportive atmosphere and strong focus on undergraduate engagement.

You’ll gain real-world experience through:

• Campus Observatory & Planetarium: Operate the on-campus observatory and participate in public outreach using a 12-inch telescope and the state-of-the-art UW Planetarium, which features a 30-foot dome and interactive digital projection powered by the Worldwide Telescope software.

• League of Astronomers: Join this active student club to engage in photometry, spectroscopy, and radio astronomy projects, as well as organise outreach events and operate a mobile planetarium for local schools.

• Cutting-Edge Software & Data Science: Learn and apply professional astronomy software such as AstroML and Astropy, and gain experience in machine learning, statistics, and data analysis using Python and JupyterHub in courses like “Statistics and Machine Learning in Astronomy” (ASTR 324).

• Research Centres & Institutes: Collaborate with faculty and students at leading research centres, including the Institute for Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics & Cosmology (DiRAC), the Virtual Planet Laboratory, the Dark Universe Science Centre, and the eScience Institute, all of which support undergraduate research and data-driven discovery.

• Undergraduate Research Opportunities: Work directly with professors, postdocs, and graduate students on research projects in observation, theory, software, and instrumentation. Many students secure research assistant positions and present their work at conferences.

• Internships & Industry Connections: Access internships with organisations such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, leveraging the department’s strong industry ties and alumni network for career development.

• Specialised Laboratories: Utilise facilities like the Physics and Astronomy Building’s experimental labs and the Centre for Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics (CENPA) for hands-on research in astrophysics and instrumentation.

• Small Class Sizes & Faculty Mentorship: Benefit from small classes (average size ~25) and close faculty mentorship, fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment.

• Diversity & Community Initiatives: Participate in the Pre-Major in Astronomy Program (Pre-MAP), which supports underrepresented students in STEM through early research engagement and mentoring.

Graduates of the BA in Astronomy at the University of Washington are well-prepared for diverse careers and further study, thanks to a curriculum that emphasises both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Typical job roles include data analyst, science educator, software developer, and telescope operations specialist. Many graduates also continue to graduate school in astronomy, physics, or related fields.

You’ll benefit from:

• University Services: The Department of Astronomy fosters close faculty-student relationships and encourages undergraduate engagement in research, outreach, and leadership. Students can join the League of Astronomers, operate the Campus Observatory, participate in hands-on photometry and spectroscopy, and even help build radio telescope facilities—all providing valuable experiential learning.

• Employment Stats and Salary Figures: Recent graduates have secured positions in data science, telescope operational support, and education, with some pursuing advanced degrees. While specific salary data for UW Astronomy graduates isn’t published, astronomy-related roles in Washington typically offer competitive compensation, especially in tech and research sectors.

• University–Industry Partnerships: The program’s active research culture connects students to faculty-led projects and collaborations with organisations like NASA and the American Astronomical Society. Students gain experience with modern astronomical instrumentation and computational methods, including machine learning and astrostatistics.

• Long-term Accreditation Value: The BA curriculum covers a broad spectrum of courses—such as Astrostatistics and Machine Learning in Astronomy, Exoplanets, High Energy Astrophysics, Methods of Computational Astrophysics, and Astronomical Data Analysis—ensuring graduates are versed in both foundational and emerging areas of the field. This breadth prepares students for a wide range of scientific and technical careers.

• Graduation Outcomes: Alumni are found in data analysis, research, education, and technical support roles, with many entering graduate programs at leading institutions.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA in Astronomy at UW, students can pursue graduate degrees in astronomy, astrophysics, data science, or physics. The program’s strong emphasis on research, data analysis, and computational skills provides a solid foundation for success in master’s programs, as well as in interdisciplinary scientific research.